In the late Spring of 1937, Franklin D. Roosevelt was president of the United
States, a tune called "So Rare" was the number one tune in the country, and eleven
young people received a high school diploma from Rockport High School. From those
exciting times, the newly graduates continued on with their place in the world.
Some joined the Army and served in the military. While others started a working
career in which they would continue working for the next forty years or so before
retirement. Others married and became housewives, where they would help raise the
next generation and continue to serve trying to make Rockport a better place and
Rockport High School a better place to receive an education.
In the previous write-ups, I tried to name each graduate and come up with a paragraph
or two on the graduate. This group graduated before I was born, but I did know a
few of the graduates, as some settled in Rockport and raised families. Guess that
I now have the option of using the old retired brain cells in trying to remember
something about the graduates. Or I could reserve a space for comments and information
from the people that read this material. For those that would like to add to the
page or the web site, I will always give them an opportunity to share their knowledge.
The problem is that the "Readers" are not much on "Writing and Sharing" their knowledge
and remembrances. If like times in the past, there would be no information from the
readers and thus no material. Therefore, I will add what little that I know and
hope that others will send more material and/or correct what I have written.
Forest Elder.
Forest Chester Elder was born on December 6, 1917 at Ceralvo, Kentucky to the parents
of Ernest and Maggie Elder. The family consisted of another son by the name of Dewey
and a daughter by the name of Margie. A few years after Forest was born, the family
moved to Rockport, KY where Forest completed his high school education. The Elder's
lived behind the bank at one time, on Long Street, and like most families in that
time frame, lived in several houses in Rockport. Soon after graduation from high
school, he married Willie Louise and they settled in Rockport to raise a family.
And as history repeats and repeats itself, the young married couple moved to Louisville
to find work and to raise a family. They had one son.
For some reason, Forest decided to enlist in the Army at the age of 29, and on 5/22/47
he began another career as a soldier. He was discharged on 3/31/65. I don't know
if his life in the Army as a soldier was continuous or not.
After his work career was over and he retired, he moved back to McHenry for his golden
years. Forest Chester died on 8/13/80 and he was buried at Centertown. Thanks Forest,
for your service to our country.
To view more about Forest, please click on the following link.
"Forest Elder"
Gladys Welborn.
Gladys Welborn graduated in 1937 and married Bill McGuyer. World War II certainly
had an effect on millions of people and it impacted Gladys' young adult life. The
McGuyer's had not been married for long when Bill was called to serve his country
in Europe. Bill was captured by the enemy and spent the rest of his military time
in a Prisoner Of War Camp. As a POW, his whereabouts became unknown and for months,
Gladys did not know if her new husband was dead or alive. A dreaded situation became
more bearable when the war was over and Bill returned to Rockport and to his new
bride. By now, there had been an addition to the family, as Bill's oldest daughter
had been born while he was in service.
Now the young couple could settle down in Rockport and raise a family. And raise
a family they did. There was a house full of young daughters and the elder McGuyer's
were certainly kept busy. Just trying to keep the local boys away was a chore in
itself. Bill tried several jobs before he finally decided that he was a business
type person. He and Gladys ended up purchasing a house on US Hwy. 62 and opening
a service station and garage business. That evolved into a restaurant, then a motel
and before retiring, a Beauty Salon. Gladys kept busy with the girls and being an
active member of the Rockport PTA.
To view more about Gladys and Bill, please click on the following link.
"Bill And Gladys McGuyer"
Margaret Russell Blades.
Margaret Russell Blades was born in Rockport, Kentucky on October 17, 1919 to the
parents of Russell Thomas and Beatrice (Bee) Maddox Blades. The family lived on
Main Street in Rockport when Margaret attended and graduated from Rockport High School
in 1937. A year or so after graduating, Margaret married Baxter Riley and they moved
to Hartford. Her time spent in Hartford is unknown to me. Some years later, Margaret
either moved to Owensboro and married John Bentley Anderson or married John Bentley
Anderson and moved to Owensboro where she spent the rest of her adult life.
When the Russell Blades family became "empty nesters" in the time frame of 1940, they
moved to the old Edith Blades house located on Pine Street. At the time, my parents
were living next door on the corner of Pine and Church Street in the old Jane Russell
house. Jane Russell was my great-grandmother and some kin to Margaret Russell, possibly
her aunt.
Margaret Blades Anderson Obituary.
Margaret Blades Anderson died October 19, 2019 in care of Hospice. She was 100 years
old. She was born in Rockport, KY, the daughter of Russell and Bea Maddox Blades. She
spent her career as a legal secretary and was a member of the First Baptist Church of
Owensboro. An avid golfer, Mrs. Anderson enjoyed attending the performances of the
Owensboro Symphony Orchestra and events of the River Park Center. Her husband, John
Bentley Anderson was an attorney and he preceded her in death. Mrs. Anderson is
survived by a step daughter, Ann Barr Anderson of Norwalk, CT. Burial was in the
Rosehill Elmwood Cemetery in Owensboro.
Hazel Harrel.
I can remember some Harrel's that lived on Hwy. 62, East of Rockport and in the area
where Western Elementary School is located today. In 1937 the young high school
students mostly walked to school, as there was no school buses for transportation
of the school students. Hazel probably lived closer to the High School, which was
located on Bluff Street. Other than that, I have no recollection of Hazel. Again,
if anyone can provide some information on Hazel, it will be used and appreciated.
Louise Maddox.
This space is reserved for Louise. I have heard of Louise, but my memory is quite
dim in this regard. I hope that someone will provide some information that can be
added in this space.
Gussie Barnes.
This space is reserved for Gussie. Like Louise, and many other graduates, I have
heard of Gussie, but do not have any other pertinent information. I will fill in
this paragraph if any information becomes available.
Archie Vernon.
Archie is another 1937 RHS Graduate that I know very little about. Again, help would
be appreciated.
Francis Boswell.
This space reserved for Francis. Help would be appreciated.
Charlene Hicks.
Charlene Hicks graduated from Rockport High School in 1937 and continued on to become
a wife and a mother. She married Beverly Stewart and they settled, "Across Town",
and just up from the Rockport Depot of the IC Railroad. In the late forties, with
two small children, Charlene's life was a busy one. Times were good and taking care
of the two children and serving on several committees, and especially the Rockport
PTA, kept Charlene on the go. A tragic railroad accident took the life of Beverly
in 1948 and Charlene had to become stronger and continued to raise her family and
serve on committees that would make Rockport a better place to live. Later on,
Charlene married "Doc" Hill and the new family moved to Echols. There was one
daughter from this marriage.
To view more about Charlene, please click on the following link.
"
Charlene Hicks Stewart"
Katherine Hopper.
Katherine, a 1937 Rockport Graduate married Lacy Blackburn soon after graduation.
Like in most young marriages, a few moves were in order before finally settling down.
Katherine and Lacy's last move was to a house across from Marvin Hines, a house where
they would raise their family and a house where they would spend their last retirement
years. By now Lacy had a good job in Evansville, IN. The long drive to work made
the job less attractive, but the young parents decided to live in Rockport and to
work in Evansville. Four boys and one girl were raised in this house and three were
living in Rockport at my last count. Life was good for these young siblings. The
daughter did her thing, and went on to become a nurse after raising a family of her
own. I ran and played with the three oldest boys. Fishing and hunting were great
in the area and we enjoyed many trips together. The three oldest brothers were also
involved in sports and I spent many an hour playing and competing with them. The
youngest son was probably the best hunter. It was a great treat to be invited to
the Blackburn's for a Sunday afternoon dinner, especially when Katherine served a
venison roast. Life may have a little harder in the decade of the fifties, but it
was good.
Verna Margaret Durall Gray.
Verna Durall was married before she graduated and she became Mrs. Verna Gray. My
knowledge on Verna is limited and I will hold this space open in case anyone wants
to send me some information and/or a picture of her. Thanks in advance.
