Reunion 2009 Update

Hello Fellow Orebankers
Just wanted to fill everyone in on how the reunion went this past saturday. It was a great success with almost 200 in attendance. We had a range from people that attended the Gaines School through the closing of the Orebank School. We did have quiet a few gaps though where 1 or 2 people were showing up for a class and some that we had no one to represent a certain class. All in all I think everyone had alot of fun reuniting with classmates. We are going to have another reunion and I will keep you posted on that. We need at least one class representative from each class that went to Orebank or Gaines School so we have a greater chance of contacting everyone. If you would like to be a class rep. please let me know either through e-mail or call me 288-9307. We also decided at the next reunion we are going to have catered BBQ and everyone just pay  for how many guest they have,  this will require an RSVP for everyone so we know how much to order. We also want to encourage everyone to keep sending us pics and make comments. Just because reunion 2009 has come and gone doesn't mean we want this blog to go at a snails pace in it's growth. I want to take this opportunity also to thank all that served on the planning committee, without this committee this event would have been impossible. Hope everyone that attended the reunion had a wonderful time. And for those who couldn't make it I hope you get the chance to make it to our next one. We do need to reach out to more teachers and staff for the next reunion also. We had just a few staff members at the reunion.
I will be updating as needed but please keep those comments and pics coming and if you would like to be a class rep, please contact me
Thanks
Sheri

1985 K Miss Coates Class

                                         (l-r) Brooke Burdette, Jamie Hicks, Amanda Hill
Submitted by Amanda Hill

Reunion This Saturday !!

Yes, it's really only three days away!  If you haven't made plans to attend the Orebank Reunion, there is still time - you won't want to miss it!

I have a last-minute photo request.  Please e-mail me if you have a 1980-81 3rd or 4th grade class photo or a 1976-77 K, 1st, 2nd, 7th, or 8th grade class photo, or ANY group photos from the 1950's.

There will be tables set up for displaying photos or mementos, which we encourage alumni to bring labeled  and protected perhaps in clear notebook page protectors.  Another option is to bring copies and leave originals at home.

If you would like to honor a deceased love one, a board will be available for you to post a photo or tribute.

Bring your memories with you --- there will be an opportunity to share in writing your favorite memories of schooldays at Orebank.

See you Saturday!

1976 Eighth Grade Dance

Mr. Hilton and Michelle White boogie down

Mr. Starnes in background

???????

1976-1977 Second Grade Boys

                         

Front row:  ??, David Price, ??, Sonny Slusher, Eddie Sexton, Darell Mahan (?)

Back row:  ??, Mike West, Bart Duncan, Todd Bledsoe, ??,  Scott Surgener

In Memory Of Mr. Starnes

It is with sadness that we report the recent death of Mr. Jerry Starnes, seventh-grade teacher and coach at Orebank Elementary School from 1973 - 1980. 

His obituary is listed here as it was printed in today's edition of Kingsport Times-News.

Jerry Wayne Starnes

Jerry Wayne Starnes, 61, of Kingsport, passed away Monday (Oct. 5, 2009) at East Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro, Ga. after an extended illness.

He was a lifelong resident of Sullivan County and was a retired principal of Sullivan South High School.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Guy B. Starnes and Betty Mae Kitzmiller Starnes.

Survivors include Amy Starnes of Nashville; sister, Kathy Starnes Carter; brother-in-law Larry H. Carter; nephew, Brian Carter and wife, Jill Hayes Carter; niece, Amanda Carter Lee and husband, Christopher Lee; great-nieces, Harlie and Rylie Carter; and Noah Lee (all of Statesboro, Ga.); four uncles, R.C. Kitzmiller and Denver Kitzmiller of Kingsport, Gene Starnes and Jim Starnes of Greeneville; best friend Susan Hicks-Chandler of Kingsport; and several cousins.

A memorial visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 24, 2009 at Sullivan Central High School, Little Theatre.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to American Parkinsons Disease Association (APDA), 135 Parkinson Ave., Stanton Island, N.Y.  10305  (in memory of Jerry Wayne Starnes).

1976-77 3rd Grade Mrs. McDavid teacher

Front:  Cindy Wallen, ??, Tonuia Overbay, ??. Rebecca Johnson, Missy Freeman, Richard West, Norman Sexton, Michelle Sharp

Middle: Susan Byers, Richard Hawkins, Steve Byers, Kenneth Bingham, Clyde Ball, ?? McClellan, Kevin Collins, Robin Goins, Mrs. McDavid

Back: Michael Atkins, Alicia Turner, Jackie Blankenbeckler, Steve Norris, Chris Oliver, ??, Scotty Roberts, ??, Wesley Faust

Submitted by : Emma Lee Bingham and Trish Bingham

1967-1968 Yearbook Now Up

The 67-68 yearbook has now been posted and can be viewed by scrolling down.  About a month ago I posted the second and third grade pages which was all I had at the time.  I moved those posts here to fall in with the rest of the yearbook, which was provided by Dan Odom.

1967-1968 Headstart

Top row:  1.??  2.??  3. Marlene Bledsoe  4. Michelle White

Second row:  1. ??  2.??  3.??  4.??

Third row:  1.Jerome Bledsoe  2. ??  3. Rita Overbay  4. ??

Fourth row:  1.??  2.??  3. Debbie Byers  4. J.M. Baker

Fifth row:  1. ??   2. Sheila McClellan  3. Harrison Rogers

1967-1968 Mrs. Morehead's First Grade

Top row: 1. Randall Lane  2. Ross Blankenbeckler  3. Donnie Leedy  4. Randy Harper

Second row:  1. Ronnie Ratliff  2. ??  3.??  4.??

Third row:  1. ??  2. Donna Jones  3. ??  4. ??

Fourth row:  1. Jeff Trivette  2. Allen Harmon  3. Randy Smith  4.??

Fifth row:  1.DebbieLawson  2.??  3. Keith Ramey  4. Kim White

Sixth row:  Melanie Easley

1967-1968 Mrs. Leedy's First Grade

Top row:  1. Mrs. Leedy  2. Karla Powell

Second row:  1. ??  2. Mike Steadman  3. Johnny Sampson  4. Pam Lemmons

Third row: 1. ??  2.??  3.??  4. Charlotte Dishner

Fourth row:  1.??  2.??  3.??  4.??

Fifth row:  1. Richard Lawson  2. Timmy White  3. Richard Norris  4. ??

Sixth row:  1. Donna Bradley  2. Brenda Dowell

1967-1968 Second Grade

Top row:  1. Mrs. McBee 2. Donna Baker 3. Shelby Salley
4. Melinda Hughes 5. ??
Second row: 1. Lisa Gilliam  2. David Johnson 3.?? 4.??
5. Brenda Roller
Third row: 1. Addy Lemmons 2. Patricia Lemmons 3.??
4. Andy Bradley 5.Tammy McClellan
Fourth row: 1.?? 2. Kathy Larkins 3. Phil Widner 4.Emory Sells 5.??
Fifth row: 1. Scottie McConnell 2.?? 3.Buddy Osborne 4.Jeff Sykes  5.??
Sixth row: 1. Crickett Poore 2.??  3. James White  4. Greg Duncan


submitted by June Blankenbeckler

1967-1968 Third Grade

Top row: 1.Mrs. Driskill  2.Gary Darnell  3.Debbie Bledsoe  4. Bruce Powell
Second row: 1. Greg Kerney  2.Jerry Kimberling  3.Marvin Hurst
4. Allen Overbay  5. Landy Overbay  6.Terry Dowell
Third row: 1.??  2. Donnie Taylor  3. Richard Poore 4. Bobby Harmon
5. Phyllis Johnson
Fourth row: 1.??  2.  Danny Odom  3. Mark Ealy  4.Ginger Osborne
5.Vickie Lynn Smith  6. Donald Street
Fifth row: 1. Gloria Atkins 2.?? 3. Charles Cupp  4. Joey Todd
 5. Eddie Cole
Sixth row:  1.Larry Lawson  2.Rick McMurray 3. ?? 4.Tommy Steadman


submitted by June Blankenbeckler

1967-1968 Fourth Grade

Top row:  1. Mrs. Massengill  2. ??  3. Wanda Culbertson 

4. Stewart Harkleroad

Second row:  1. Patricia Cole  2. ??  3.??  4. ??

5. Nancy Hale  6. Ricky Sells

Third row:  1. ??  2. Anita Baker  3. Richard Fleming  4. ?? 

5. Anna Lynn Clark  6. Sandra Tipton

Fourth row: 1. Elaine Easley  2. ??  3.??  4. Jeff Duncan 

5. Maretta Parker  6. Ray Sams

Fifth row: 1. Jenny Tate  2. Thomas Hood  3. Mike Tipton 

4. Rhonda McConnell 5. Eddie Smith  6.??

Sixth row: 1.??  2.Gerald Hite  3. Gary Lawson  4.??

1967-1968 Fifth Grade

1967-1968 Sixth Grade

1967-1968 Seventh Grade

1967-1968 Eighth Grade

Top row:  1. Mr. Dixon 2. David Mounger 3. Jason Hughes

4. Earl Hood

Second row: 1. Stewart Crane 2. Lester Haynes 3.Tony Kimberling 4.Randall Hite

Third row: 1. Carl Hutchins 2. Steven Byrd 3. David Cole

4. Ginger Mellons

Fourth row: 1.Mary Sams 2. Judy Darnell  3. Debbie Akers 

4.Linda Lawson

Fifth row: 1. Donna Harlow  2. Jimmie McConnell  3. Joann Salley

4. Mike Widner

Sixth row: Lester Norton

1967-1968 In the Lunchroom

1967-1968 In the Library

1967-1968 Band?

This was evidently a misprint in the yearbook.  Anyone know who this group is and what they're doing? 

1967-1968 Cheerleaders

1967-1968 Football

1967-1968 Basketball

1967-1968 Mr. James Dixon, Principal

1967-1968 Yearbook

Front row (l-r) Stewart Crane, Jason Hughes, Carl Hutchins, Anthony Kimberling, Ginger Mellons, Linda Lawson, Joanne Salley, Lester Haynes,

2nd row (l-r) Debbie Akiers, Michael Widener, Jimmie Gail McConnell (back to camera) Donna Harlow, Earl Hood, David Cole, Judy Darnell,

Back row (l-r) Steven Byrd, Randall Hite, Mary Ruth Sams, David Mounger, Lester Norton

1973-1974 Around the School

Front: Kathy Steadman, Linda Steadman

Back: Debbie Jones, Debbie Byers, Tammy Price

1974 Christmas Play

If anyone out there has clearer photos of this, please contact me at orebankers@yahoo.com.

We have run across very few good quality photos from the 1970's and early '80s.

1973-1974 PTA function

Mrs. June Blankenbeckler and Mrs. Helen Poore

1973-1974 PTA Officers

**Mrs. Dugger addresses PTA officers :  Mrs. Vivian Holston, president; ??, Mrs. Faye Overbay, secretary; ??, Mr. J.W. Hilton, parliamentarian

**the people in this photo were identified by piecing info together, which is always dicey ......would love for someone to verify or correct as needed

Kindergarten at Hee-Haw Show 1980

submitted by Mary Price

1985-1986 Second Grade Classroom

Mr. William Barnes Principal 1977-1986

Mr. Barnes in 1986

submitted by Mary Price

1949-1950 Fifth Grade

submitted by Don Duncan

1946-1947 Third Grade

Teacher - Mrs. Powell

Front row:  Fifth child from the left is Don Duncan.


Help in identifying anyone else in this photo would be much appreciated.

submitted by Don Duncan

Who Are These Children?

                     

   Mrs. Powell's Third grade class

Date unknown

submitted by Don Duncan

1966-1967 Second Grade

submitted by Maxie Osborne

1966-1967 Third Grade

First row: Gary Darnell, Ricky Hurst, Anna Clark, Meritta Parker, Ray Sams, Richard Fleming, Jenny Tate

Second row:  Eddie Smith, Mike Carroll, Mike Tipton, Sandra Tipton, Wanda Culbertson, Debbie Bledsoe, Kandy Bledsoe, Jeff Duncan, Mrs. Powell

Third row: Homer Hayes, Frank Hayes, Ricky Sells, Donnie Taylor, Tom Hood, Lee Poore, Leon Salley,  Gary Lawson

Fourth row: Bobby Harmon, Gerald Hite, Anita Baker, Anita Harper, Sherry Akers, Rhonda McConnell, Elaine Easley, Natina Vermillion, Billy Harmon, Sam Jessee

submitted by Don Duncan

1976-77 6th grade Mr. Page teacher

Back Row (l-r) Marvin Atkins, Teresa Taylor, Evelyn Rogers, Johnny Lemmons, Greg Powers, Valerie Parsons

2nd row Penny Sarber, Tammy Surgenor, Becky Lemmons, Brenda Bledsoe, Kathy Steadman, Mrs Collins

1st row Sherry McAmis. Bryan Larkins, Anita Lewis, 

Steve Helton

Photo Submitted by Tami Faust Minnick Names submitted by Nina Slusher Ramey

1976-77 2nd grade Mrs McBee teacher

Back row (l-r) Amy Riggs, Ellen Fleenor, April Waye, Daniel Parker, David Price, Danny Kimberlin, Regina Frazier, Bobbie Jo Laney, Pam Helton

2nd row Mike West, Bart Duncan, Eddie Price, Donna Dowell, Lucretia Tompkins, Scott Surgener, ???, Jimmy Morris, Pam Hawkins

3rd row Sonny Slusher, ???, Eddie Sexton, Todd Blesoe, Mickey Bledsoe, Ann Parker,???. Angie Surgenor

Photo by Tami Faust  Minnick

1968-69 6th grade class Mrs McElroy teacher

Top Row Mrs. Margaret MCElroy, Mickey Sykes, Kathy Baker, Tami Faust, Jane Poore, Lisa McClellan, Kenneth Neeley, Sandy Kimberling

2nd row Larry Sherfey, Debbie Vaughn, ???, Renee Henley, Teresa Atkins, Janie Lawson, ???, Mike Sams, Debbie Smith, Patricia Cole

3rd row Mike Hauk. Diane Thacker, Eugene Vaughn, Mark Blankenbeckler, Randy Faust, Denny Lane, Chuck Odom, Joy Osborne, ???

4th row Gail Dishner, Lugene Osborne, Mitchell Booher, Cindy Sampson

Photo and names submitted by Tami Faust Minnick

1963-64 6th grade class Mrs. Margaret McElroy teacher

1st row(next to chalkboard front to back) DeeDee Faust, Grady Vaughn, Danny Sampson, Faye Poore, Oscar Light, Rusty Laney, Ralph Jackson

2nd row (f-b) Charles Gray, Rita Miller,Ed Norton, Mickey Ball, Eileen Ball,Charles Pridemore,Gail Surgener

3rd row (f-b) J.W. Haynes, Hal Salley, John Thomas, Mike Henley,???, David Salley,Cathy Barker

4th row (f-b) Jackie Rich, Gary Mahan, Diane Faust, Greg Hamilton, Roger Hauk,Judy Akers, Jimmy Griffie, Jerry Lloyd

5th row (f-b) ???, ???, Rex Johnson, Larry Gray, Joy Harrison, Gaines Faust, Jimmy Davis

Photo and names submitted by Tami Faust Minnick

1963-64 4th grade Mrs. Bobbie L. Massengill teacher

Row 1 (l-r) Lester Haynes, Marlene Collier, Danny Sampson, Linda Lawson, Joe Hutchins

Row 2 (l-r) Vickie Salley, David Cole, Ginger Mellons, Stewart Crane, Randall Hite

Row 3 (l-r) Jason Hughes, Sammy Turner, Carl Hutchins, Debbie Akers, David Mounger

Row 4 (l-r) Randall Weston, Joanne Salley, Donna Harlow, Jerry Sherfey, Jimmie Gail McConnell, Stephen Byrd

Row 5 (l-r) Lois Sams, Anthony Kimbering, Judy Darnell, Larry Meade, Mary Sams

originally submitted by Peggy Mellons Lane

1963-64 2nd grade class Mrs. Leeper-teacher

Beginning with row nearest chalkboard and reading rows front to back:

Row 1:  1.Kenneth Neeley  2. ??  3. Steve Crane  4. ??

Row 2:  1. Denise Mullins  2. ??  3. ??  4. Becky Herchenroder  5. Jane Poore

Row 3:  1. Linda Trivette  2. ??  3. Johnny Cole  4.??

Row 4:  1. ??  2. ??  3. ??  4.??

Submitted by Tami Faust Minnick

1963-64 1st grade Mrs. Grace Leedy- teacher

Beginning with first row on left, reading front to back:

Row 1:  1. Lisa McClellan  2. Mike Hauk  3. Mike Carroll  4. Sandy Kimberling 5.??

Row 2:  1. Joy Osborne  2. Tami Faust  3. ??  4. ??  5. Patricia Cole  6. Lee Poore

Row 3:  1.??  2.??  3.??  4. Debbie Smith  5. Mike Sams  6.??

Row 4:  1. ??  2.??  3. Mickey Sykes  4.??  5. Debbie Vaughn  6. ??

Photo submitted by Tami Faust Minnick

1962-63 3rd grade Mrs. H. R. Powell-teacher

1st row on left (b-f) David Mounger, Paul McKenzie, Linda Lawson, Jimmie Gale McConnell, Doris Poore, Mary Ruth Sams, Steven Byrd, Sammy Turner

2nd row (b-f) Imogene Kindle, Tony Kimberling, Stewart Crane, Randall Hite, Billy Joe Bowman, Marleen Collier, Ronnie Becher, Randall Weston

3rd row (b-f) Lester Hayes, Jason Hughes, Darwin Bishop, Debbie Akers, Jane Greere, Vicki Sally, Jerry Sherfey, Ginger Mellons

4th row (b-f) Connie Cross, Carl Hutchins, David Cole, Clarence Wexler, Sarah McDavid, Earl Hood, Donna Harlow, Judy Darnell

Photo and names submitted by Tami Faust Minnick

1962-63 1st grade Mrs.Grace Leedy- teacher

1st row from back to front Stephen Crane, Angie Laughlin, Patricia Cole, Annette Gross, John Henry

2nd row (b-f) Kay Jessee, Lee Poore, Gary Lawson, Jack King, Denise Mullins, Debbie Sykes

3rd row (b-f) Elizabeth Wexler, Debbie Jackson, Randall Stapleton, Patricia Lawson, David Henley, Muriel Atkins

4th row (b-f) Mitchell Kindle, Gerald Hite, Allan Thomas, Kenneth Fauver, Linda Trickett, Kathy Dowell

Photo and Names submitted by Tami Faust Minnick

1966-1967 Fourth Grade Class

Top row (l-r) Randy Faust, Mickey Sykes, Lilly Bolton, Larry Sherfey, Lugene Osborne, Jane Poore, ???, Joy Osborne
2nd row David Dingus, Mike Hauk, Mitchell Booher, Diane Thacker, Mike Sams, Renee Henley, ???, Kathy Baker
3rd row ???, Tami Faust, Sandy Kimberling, Regina Castle, Gail Dishner, Patricia Cole, Debbie Smith,
Bottom row Eugene Vaughn, Chuck Odom, Lisa McClellan, CIndy Sampson, Debbie Vaughn, Denny Lane

Photo and names submitted by Tami Faust Minnick

1966-67 5th grade class Miss.Vernland teacher

                                               Submitted by Tami Faust Minnick