Friday, May 25, 2012

Memorial: My tribute to four classmates from Class of '60 who have crossed over the chilly Jordan River. They are: Willie "Mickey" Almond, David Alston, Harvey Barnes and Lenoria Barnes

 Article II  Volume II

Remembering Four Classmates from Class of 1960

Recently  I was looking at my yearbook from the class of 1960 and it came to my attention that the first four names listed have already received the ultimate call.  Then, I kept on looking and noted that  at least 20 members of our class of 109 members have passed.  I thought, there is no known pecking order for  us but it was interesting to note that on at least three occasions there was a row of  three that boarded the flight. I tell you, there is one member in the class who will sit down and try to figure out the pecking order. Me? Don't know, don't wanna know, and I know that only God knows.

I don't know where I am going with this thought, so I'm going to just let it be for now.

But on the four names,  Mickey, David, Harvey, and Lenora. My tribute will be to each one separately.
   

   Willie Almond

Mickey was in my homeroom. Mrs. Norfleet class. He was a civic minded person who lived in the Norfolk Roads community. In 1960 he participated in the lunch counter sit-down  protest at the local segregated stores. His action, along with others, led to the desegregation of lunch counters in Suffolk. (There was an article in the local newspapers about the students action).
He loved football and basketball. In preseason scrimmages he always stood out as a running back. He was very swift. Sadly, his time on the field during his junior and senior years was very limited due to injuries.
Mickey was a gifted artist.  He did the artwork for our 1960 yearbook. His work was outstanding.
In conclusion, Mickey's demeanor and concern for others indicated that he was from a good family. More direct. He was from a good family.

David Alston

David was in my homeroom. He grew up in the Pleasant Hills community.  He enjoyed sports. In his senior year he made the football team and started at right offensive tackle for one game. (the second game of the year against B.T. Washington of Norfolk). When we went to practice on the Monday after the game, David let me know that he was turning in his gear because football was not his calling.
In sand lot sports he was very active. I believe his true love was announcing games. Since he couldn't do it at official games, he did it at sand lot games. While games were in progress, David would be on the sideline giving a play by play account of the action, calling out the players name. He loved it and we enjoyed it.
His influence for broadcasting came from listening to the Dodgers broadcaster on radio.
David served, I believe, 8 years in the army.  He married Carolyn Bryant, a Pleasant Hills girl, and to this union 5 children were born.
He retired from the Postal Services.
David spent all of his life, except time in the military, on Baker Street in the Pleasant Hills community. Happiness is were you find it.
In conclusion, David was a good family man who really loved the Dodgers baseball team.

Harvey "Peter Boy" Barnes

You can see my story about Harvey on my previous blog. Harvey grew up in the Pleasant Hills community.

In short, Harvey was a good person who loved to sing. (see my blog dedicated to Harvey)

Lenora Barnes

Lenora was special. She grew up in the Saratogo community. She started to school at the age of  four.
Her obit was published in the Suffolk News Herald on May 30, 2011.

(to be continued)

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