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From left, sisters Helen Murray, Katie Duncan, Minnie Davenport and Bobby Dykes attended the Sadie V. Thompson Era Reunion banquet Saturday night. The sisters years of attendance at Sadie V Thompson span from 1964 to 1972.

Over 500 people attend class reunion

By Adam Koob (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Sunday, July 6, 2008

NATCHEZ — Complete with fully decorated Christmas trees, poinsettias and even a few carols, the Sadie V. Thompson Era Reunion’s Christmas in July celebration had over 500 attendants Saturday night.

Saturday’s event is part of Thompson’s marathon reunion celebration.

It started on Thursday and ends this evening.

Since 1994, the graduating classes from 1954 - 1972 have been gathering in Natchez to see old friends and commemorate their alma mater.

The event, which was originally every three years, is now scheduled for every two years.

While the school closed in 1970, the reunion acknowledges those who would have graduated in 1971 and 1972.

Katie Moore, class of 1964, has attended every reunion since 1994 when the event began.

“I would not miss this,” she said. “It’s the best thing since God created heaven and earth.”

Moore projected this year’s event to have over 500 participants.

“It’s really wonderful to see so many people coming together,” she said.

Moore said each of the reunion’s events have a different theme, so Saturday was Christmas.

And while it’s highly unlikely there was another Christmas party in Natchez on Saturday, partygoers said there is no place they would rather be.

William Bradshaw graduated from Sadie V. Thompson in 1963.

Bradshaw joined the military and was sent to Vietnam soon after graduation.

“This is a great opportunity to see people,” he said. “I haven’t seen some of these people in 20 years.”

Bradshaw, who now lives in Chicago, said he relishes the opportunity to travel back to Natchez to see old friends.

But old friends were not the only ones reuniting at Saturday’s event.

Sisters Bobby Dykes, Minnie Davenport, Katie Duncan and Helen Murray all celebrated their reunion together on Saturday night.

The sisters graduated from 1962 until 1973.

None of the women say they ever imagined a time when they could all celebrate their reunions together.

“It’s very important to all of us,” Dykes said. “Words really can’t express it.”

One of the reunion’s original organizers said the event, close to 15 years after its inception, has not lost its popularity with graduates.

Supervisor Thomas “Boo” Campbell said he and friends George Dunkley, Vernon Johnson and Phillip West dreamed up the idea for the first reunion.

And Campbell said he is not surprised the event is still popular after so many years for one simple reason.

“Everybody likes coming home,” he said.