01/27/2026
Some may remember the Reunion and having two kind women ask questions about “Any words of Wisdom you want to share with everyone”
Helen William’s (Lee’s Wife) and Beth Dobson (Ernst) tried to ask each of our classmates the question, then document it.
Below are the results of their effort – some great and meaningful comments.
GHS 50th Reunion Quotes
Rupert Ray
“Do not marry your high school sweetheart.”
(Oh man, he’s gonna pay for this one!)
Rusty Spring
“My word of wisdom is: Patience. That comes from living with two women – my wife and my daughter, all my life. Plus two female animals! I’m surrounded by them!”
Mike Stovall
“Take care of yourself because it will pay dividends down the road. My dad lived to be 92. My mom lived to be 91. I’m not sure I want to live to be 90, but I’d definitely like to make it to 85.”
Pay May
“Don’t streak across the Graham High School front lawn with Glenn Jennings.”
Glenn Jennings
“Always keep your drumsticks hard.”
(Did you know that Glenn Jennings auditioned to be in the band KISS? He even wore all the crazy makeup! Now the question is, could Glenn streak in those big old platform boots?)
Barbara Martin Lewis
“We in Graham had the best childhood ever. We had parents that loved us. I guess that would be my advice to anyone: Love hard.”
Joanna Williams Rawlins
“Trust in Jesus.”
Pattie McDaniel
“Being from a small town isn’t so bad.”
Bob Antle
“Watching the football team win the district championship against Brownwood was my favorite memory. I wasn’t even on the team, but it’s still my favorite memory.”
Doug Casteel
“Marry your high school sweetheart. I married Robbie here, and she’s a good woman. We’ve been married 48 years, and we’ve moved around a lot and stuck together. I’ve got no complaints.”
Roberta Bachman Mangos
“Growing up in the small town of Graham was the best thing that ever happened in my life. The friendships have lasted a lifetime.”
David Odom
“No love. No hope.”
Randy Burdick
“Take care of your parents. It’s a privilege, not a responsibility.”
Mark Sims
“Live and let live.”
Jerry Jobe
“Life is short.”
Dennis Stansell
“Love God and your family.”
Mary Ann McDaniel
I shoulda gone to culinary school because I cook all the time and I love it. I shouldn’t have listened to my friend who talked me into going to nursing school. She said it would be fun. Well, I’ve been a nurse for 40 years, and lemme tell you, it’s not fun.”
Keress Hawkins
“Do something that scares your kids! I’m learning how to ride cutting horses, and I’ve climbed mountains and run a marathon. No telling what I’ll do next.”
Beth Ernst Dodson
“Love while you can because you blink and everything changes.”
Bill Larmour
“I’m really enjoying being here. It’s interesting to see how everyone is doing.”
“I was in the band in high school. I played the trumpet, French horn and tuba. That influenced me to work in the music business, and I went on to be a sound engineer and roadie.”
Mark Ford
“Old friends are really the best friends.”
Lindy Pitcock Eubank
“Today is a testimony to the importance of friends and family. You’ve got to seize the moment and spend time with those you care about and who care about you.”
Mike Lisle
“I’m having a blast! Just to see so many people I haven’t seen in 50 years – it’s just incredible. I appreciate the work everyone put into organizing this.”
Joe Bill White
(about how special it is to see his classmates from 50 years ago)
“It’s just that you get here and you have the history with these friends, and you just take up where you left off.”
Rusty Jacoby
“I’ve really enjoyed being here and seeing so many people. I think being a good friend is important.”
Kurt Hammond
“I’ve learned to accept all people the way they are. That’s what Graham taught me growing up. We didn’t pay any attention to who was rich and who was poor and which race. We just were together, and that had a real influence on me. And today, I can relate to all people.”
Renee Crawford Hamby
“I’ve definitely learned to appreciate spending time with my family. Why? Because they’re my best friends.”
Missy Moody
“Some friendships last forever. Like Lou, Mary Ann and Roberta. We all went to kindergarten together. It’s very comforting. When you haven’t seen them in a long time and you see them, it’s just easy. We pick up where we left off.”
Beverly Gathings Ford
“I was born, raised, grew up and graduated here. I love living here. I’ll be 68 in 10 days. I wouldn’t trade this town that we grew up in for anything in the world.”
Troy Oney
“Life is too short.”
Roland Price
“Live life being conscientious of each and every person that you meet. Love your neighbor as yourself. The axiom itself is universal.”
Brian Williams
“Family is everything.”
Rusty Spring
“My word of wisdom is: Patience. That comes from living with two women – my wife and my daughter, all my life. Plus two female animals! I’m surrounded by them!”
Andy Wagmon
“The most important thing I’ve learned is how important family and friends are.”
Debbie Lane Cobb
“We were taught really good things back in the day. When you learn, learn well from the people with the most experience. And be kind to everybody. What we have here are friendships that last a lifetime. Not many people can say that. The people you grew up with, they know who you are for REAL.”
Annette Williams
“Freedom ain’t always free.”
Sheila Creswell Brisco
“I’m not wise. I’m just getting along. But my advice is learning how to do a rent house. And how to be a widow. It ain’t easy.”
Lou Williams Peterson
“One of the blessings in my life is the joy and innocence of grandchildren.”
Lee Williams
“I have a lot of good memories, but beating Brownwood stands out. Being ahead 28-0 then falling behind 29-28 and Rusty kicking the winning field goal with 17 seconds left in the game. You can’t beat that!”
