On Saturday, October 24, the Emanuel County Elementary and High School Rattlers class of 1961 gathered for a dinner at Alivia’s Restaurant in Summertown. The event was in honor of their class president, Mr. John Lawrence, who passed in 2023.
Mr. Lawrence was an Army veteran and accomplished many historic achievements during his life. Growing up in the 1950s and 1960s in South Georgia was a challenge, but this did not stop John from breaking barriers and accomplishing many achievements. In 1965, John was the first black to make the basketball team at Georgia Southern University. He was a part of the first group of students to integrate the college. Georgia Southern was not the only place he broke barriers. While attending college, he took a job and became the first to integrate Creston Knitting Factory in Swainsboro. After relocating to Atlanta, he became one of the first black Certified Public Accountants (CPA) in Georgia.
This gathering was an opportunity for the class to reconnect, socialize, reminisce, and honor their distinguished classmate. During the event, several classmates who could not be present called in to share reflections and memories of John and their time as classmates.
The evening included the group dining, listening to music from their high school days, and playing trivia games. The dinner was prepared by Leonel Catering of Atlanta. Trivia game winners received copies of books written by their classmate author, Mr. Eddie Dillard. Mr. Dillard has published several books, including Nappy, Scrappy and Sometimes Happy, No Happy Endings, and From Busboy to Boss.
Mr. John Lawrence's career helped open doors for many who never had the opportunity to know him personally. It all started at Emanuel County High, where the foundation was laid. Despite his many accomplishments, his classmates fondly remembered him as simply “John”. To them, he was a friend and forever their classmate.
The Emanuel County Rattlers class of 1961 graduated on June 4, 1961, with 54 members. Over the past 65 years, many have passed, but the bond formed during those high school years remains strong.
Classmates in attendance at the October 24 gathering included: Mrs. Beulah Campbell, Mrs. Eula Jones, Mrs. Shirley Monroe, Mrs. Classie Parrish, Mrs. Joann Foots, Mr. Albert Parrish, Mrs. Verdell Brinson, Mrs. Edna Moore, Mr. Nathaniel Moore and Mrs. Harriett Hodges Mazyck.
Also in attendance were Rev. Robert (Bob) Lawrence, Sr., and Rev. Richard Lawrence, Jr., brothers of Mr. John Lawrence. Mrs. Ivonia Beasley attended as a guest.
