“Make new friends but keep the old;/ One is silver and the other, gold” (Joseph Parry). Our old high school classmates were the ones who were beside us sharing everything from ballgames, club activities, band concerts, homecoming celebrations, talent shows, pep rallies, and field trips. We sat through class lectures and lab experiments together, pulled silly pranks together, and laughed and cried together, forming close friendships along the way.
Our senior year was extra-special because we were the bicentennial class. When we recall our graduation year, we can certainly remember how closely it was linked to the history of our nation. Everything was centered around America’s 200th birthday, including our class rings with “Spirit of 76” on the side and patriotic scenes incorporated into the yearbook cover design. Even our graduation invitations and programs gave a nod to the bicentennial year.
Now, as we near our 50th Class Reunion, we get to see another significant year in our nation’s history, the semi-quincentennial (250th) birthday of America. We are most definitely a special and unique class to get to share our important milestone with our country. The golden anniversary of our graduation is golden indeed because we can celebrate it with our “golden” friends.
Reunion Weekend Agenda
The reunion is scheduled for SHS’s homecoming weekend, September 18-19, 2026. We can’t wait to see everyone and celebrate our 50th Reunion!
Agenda
*Week of September 18-19: We will be setting up/decorating the venue, the old Rocky Branch School on Rocky Branch Road, for our 50th Reunion. If you have any memorabilia or items that could be used for display, please let us know what you are willing to loan–and please get these to Denise prior to September 11th. Help in setting up tables, decorating, hanging posters will be needed on Friday, September 18, for Saturday’s event. We will also need help after the event on Saturday, September 19, in order to break down the tables and clean up the venue, etc. Please consider volunteering and helping with this.
*Friday, September 18: We will be meeting at 4:30 at Sumrall High School to tour the school. Following the tour, an area will be set up at the Sumrall High School Lions Field to meet and greet prior to the homecoming game. The game begins at 7:00 after the homecoming activities. Please consider joining us for this time of fellowship and fun.
*Saturday, September 19: Gather at the venue at 6:00 p.m. for an evening filled with memories, fellowship, and fun! Everyone is welcome; but in order to help us prepare, an RSVP would be helpful. Please RSVP to 601-441-4976.
Registration/Photos/Other Information
*Please update your current information at the bottom of this page for future reference. This will be used to send out any information about future gatherings, reunions, etc.
*If you would like to submit photos of our time at Sumrall High, please send them via text to Renee at 601-613-9492 or to Vicky at 601-441-4976. We will be sure to upload them onto this website for all to enjoy!
James Douglas Buchanan died on December 23, 2009, at the age of 51. He was living in Texas at the time of his passing. Mr. Buchanan was a graduate of Sumrall High School. He was preceded in death by his parents, James I. and Lavada Bennett Buchanan, his sister Betty Gail Fortenberry, and his nephew Johnny Wayne Fortenberry, III. Survivors include his children Scarlett Walker and James Buchanan.
Sharon Clark Fortenberry
January 4, 2020
Denny Deavers
September 27, 1991
Beverly Harris Edmon
September 24, 2021
Beverly Harris Edmon died on September 24, 2021, at the age of 63. Mrs. Edmon was a graduate of Sumrall High School. She was preceded in death by her husband Melton Edmon, her father Louis D. Harris, and her brother Louis Derex Harris. Survivors include her two sons, her two daughters, her mother Erma Jean Otis, and several brothers and sisters. Mrs. Edmon is buried at the Sumrall Cemetery.
Doug Herrin
May 27, 1977
Johnny Jackson
Johnny (Jimmy/J.J.) Jackson was living in Texas at the time of his passing. He is buried at Second Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. Mr. Jackson was a graduate of Sumrall High School.
Robbie Little
September 1, 2020
Anita Lucas
January 8, 2024
Wiley Martin
April 6, 2018
Wayne Pittman
May 11, 1982
Brenda Preston Jackson
August 24, 2016
Brenda Preston Jackson died on August 24, 2016. She was a graduate of Sumrall High School and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from William Carey University. She worked for Forrest General Hospital and United Blood Services. Mrs. Jackson was preceded in death by her parents Reverend Clifton Preston, Jr., and Alice Watts Preston and by her son Larry Tyrone. Survivors include two children–Kelvin Preston and Brandise Harrison; nine grandchildren–Braelyn, Brandon, Renando, Karciana, Kia, Kelvin, Ke’von, Devontae, and Taniya; one godchild–Shari; four sisters–Grace Rawls, Tina Echols, Wanda Walker, and Stacey Preston; two brothers–Tony Preston and Ralph Preston; and a multitude of aunts, uncles, cousins, and other relatives. Mrs. Jackson is buried at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.
Deborah Rymer Morris
October 31, 2021
Deborah Rymer Morris died on October 31, 2021. She was a graduate of Sumrall High School and continued her education to receive a teaching degree. Mrs. Morris worked as a teacher’s assistant at Sumrall Elementary before teaching math full time at Baxterville School. She was preceded in death by her husband Douglas Morris and by her parents Charles and Ann Beard Rymer. Survivors include two sons, Jeffrey Morris and Joshua Morris; three grandchildren; and two brothers, Charles Rymer and John Rymer. Mrs. Morris is buried at Military Baptist Church Cemetery.
Diane Short Miller
November 10, 1988
Natalie Skaggs White
March 31, 2009
PHOTOS
Homecoming 1975-76
Denise Aultman, Ms Blue GoldSandra King, Maid of HonorVicky Bond, Senior MaidRenee Parker, Student Body MaidShelia Raybourn, Homecoming Queen
RANDOM MEMORIES THROUGH THE YEARS
SENIOR YEAR 1975-76
SUMRALL HIGH SCHOOL HALL OF FAME 1976
Miss SHS Vicky BondMr. SHS Randy AultmanMost Intelligent: Don Broome & Vicky BondBest Citizens: Mike Russell & Shirley BroomeMost Likely to Succeed: Don Broome & Deborah RymerMost Dependable: Becky Broome & Bobby McRaney
Sumrall High School Class of 1976 Graduation Photo, May 23, 1976
After Graduation
Current Photos
Sumrall’s Fourth of July Parade for the 250th Birthday of America
Past Reunions
5th
Our first class reunion was held on June 20, 1981, at Little Black Creek Water Park in Purvis.
Classmates who attended were:
Don Broome, Raymond McRaney, Shirley Stuart Broome, Eric Gibson, Deborah Rymer, Renee Parker Bounds, Shelia Raybourn Wilbourn, Elizabeth Respress Smith,
Denise Aultman Robertson, Kathy Salyers, Tommy Aultman, Franky Carter, Doug Buchanan, David Farve, Sandra King and Beverly Harris.
10th
Our class met on July 26, 1986 at Peddler’s Inn in Hattiesburg to celebrate our 10 year reunion.
Classmates in attendance were:
Randy Aultman, Vicky Bond Aultman, Raymond McRaney, Bobby McRaney, Renee Parker Bounds, Debbie Rymer Morris, Laurie McBryde Draper, Shirley Stuart Broome, Tommy Aultman
Sharon Clark Fortenberry, Don Broome, Denise Aultman Robertson, Elizabeth Respress Smith, Stanley Horne, Franky Carter, Hal Hatten, Andy Herrington, Shelia Raybourn Wilbourn, and Eddie Pendarvis
20th
Our 20th class reunion was held homecoming weekend, October 18-19, 1996. Friday night we gathered at the football field and the class was recognized during the half-time festivities. Saturday evening we met at Denise Aultman Robertson’s camp for our fellowship.
Classmates attending one or both of the gatherings were:
Rebecca Broome Carpenter, Don Broome, Laurie McBryde Draper, Renee Parker Bounds, Nancy Brantly Miller, Hal Hatten, Donald Powers, Randy Brantly, Rita Sasser Shows, Bobbie Myers Elmer, Sandra King, Richard Garner, Shelia Raybourn Wilbourn,
Andy Herrington, Franky Carter, Stanley Horne, David Farve, Denise Aultman Robertson, Jerry Sullivan, Karon Farlow, Keith Riley, Sandra Watts Powers, Lynn Robertson Ladner, Shirley Stuart Broome, Vicky Bond Lawrence, and Tommy Aultman
30th
To celebrate our 30th class reunion, we met at the Sumrall Community Center on November 4, 2006.
Those classmates who attended were:
Shirley Stuart Broome, Bobby McRaney, Vicky Bond Lawrence, Renee Parker Bounds, Deborah Rymer Morris, David Farve,
Denise Aultman Robertson, Don Broome, Shelia Raybourn Schneider, Hal Hatten, Donald Powers, Roby Reeves Sutter, Stanley Horne, Brian Till, Bailey Reeves, and Richard Garner
40th
The 40th Class reunion was held homecoming weekend, October 25-26, 2016. Many classmates were in attendance for either the homecoming festivities or the meal at Mack’s West in Bellevue on Saturday evening.
Attending the 40th reunion were classmates:
Denise Aultman Robertson, Hal Hatten, Don Broome, Brian Till, Mike Russell, Shirley Stuart Broome, Sandra King, Nancy Brantly Miller, Pam Lott Gore
Vicky Bond Lawrence, Randy Brantly, Renee Parker Bounds, Bobby McRaney, Roby Reeves Sutter, David Farve, Sharon Clark Fortenberry, Richard Garner, and Shelia Raybourn Schneider
50th “Golden” Reunion
Our 50th golden high school reunion over the weekend of September 18-19, 2026, was a wonderful success filled with nostalgia and reconnection. The festivities kicked off on Friday afternoon at 4:30 PM with an insightful tour of the current high school facilities, followed by a lively homecoming tailgating at Lions Field. On Saturday, the celebration continued as the doors of the historic Rocky Branch School opened for the official reunion. Classmates were joined by many spouses, friends, and former high school teachers for an evening filled with delicious barbecue catered by Stick’s. Beautiful memories were captured throughout the night by photographer Ellen Jackson Rogers, while DJ Hampton Sims from First Baptist Church in Sumrall kept the energy high. Hickory Grove Methodist Church provided the tables and chairs for the event.
Classmates attending one or both of the gatherings were:
Denise Aultman Robertson, Tommy Aultman, Vicky Bond Lawrence, Nancy Brantly Miller, Randy Brantly, Don Broome, Franky Carter, Karon Farlow, David Farve, Richard Garner, Stanley Horne, Sandra King Guy, Pam Lott Gore, Bobby McRaney, Renee Parker Bounds, Eddie Pendarvis, Donald Powers, Terry Randall, Shelia Raybourn Schneider, Bailey Reeves, Roby Reeves Sutter, Keith Riley, Mike Russell, Gina Scruggs Pulley, Shirley Stuart Broome, and Sandra Watts Powers.
We were also blessed to have many of our former teachers/coaches/mentors in attendance. These included:
Mr. Thomas Cooper, Mrs. Ruth Cooper, Mrs. Betty Deavers, Mrs. Lyn Ingram, Mrs. Shirley Miller, Mrs. Jenny Thames, Coach Ford Turner, Coach Steve Warren, Mrs. Lou Warren, and Coach Keith Waters.
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