The 30th McKey Alumni Reunion was held October 4, in McKey.
McKey Grade School started in 1908 and continued to 1962. The wooden frame school burned in 1939. The old WPA rock school was built in 1940 and is still standing proudly 85 years now, as McKey Community Building.
The little two-room school house, with one or two teachers, taught 50 to 75 students, through eight years education, with a yearly salary of $720 in the ‘30’s and ‘40’s.
Jackie Snow Pop and Janice Blount Saunders, coordinators of past 30 reunions welcomed the alumni. Wayne Dial, 87, led the group in the American flag salute. He shared that his mama taught him to “stand and salute the flag for freedom, kneel to praise God and sit to eat.” His mother, Lizzie Dial, was a McKey School cook for many years.
Recognition of William Covington, 84, and wife Jan, traveled the farthest distance from Union City, Calif. He recalled helping keep school rooms warm by carrying buckets of coal from the shed. William searches for another school bell, size #28, for McKey, in his travels.
Jackie called the roll of the remaining 48 alumni: 20 were present, eight were ill, and 20 absent. She shared a short report of each alumni that she and Janice communicate with during the year from telephone calls, short notes, visiting at other McKey events, and Christmas cards letters.
Our elder alumni missing this year’s reunion due to illness were Harold and Carroll Bates, Betty Covington, Lonnie Covington, and Glenn Taylor. We felt an empty void without their presence and sharing memories. Ora Lee Dobbs Kirk, a very faithful alumni sponsor, brought her granddaughter, Lauren, and was surprised by childhood classmate, Virginia Mattingly Kimble, having an early McKey school picture of them.
Karen Thomason Mathis, 73, and Loretta Covington Carson, 73, were the youngest alumni. Loretta shared a tour of the school building with her husband Olen and son. Ivan Adams, 82, and Dorothy James Davis, 83, died this year. Charles Sasser, 83, sent his last published book of his life experiences to share with classmates. He’s now facing blindness and battling cancer, after an exciting life all around the world.
All attending alumni shared family stories, especially of grandchildren and gardens. Some asked questions of McKey Cemetery. The group recognized their favorite teachers, giving them a foundation of reading, writing, and arithmetic for their lives. A McKey newspaper booklet was prepared by Mary Thomason, Jackie, and Janice of ‘100 Years Ago in McKey’ and given to all alumni. The news articles shared McKey Post Office and General Store sales and robberies, train wrecks, school, church and community activities, even a murder at McKey train depot. History is always enjoyed.
A 30 year McKey group reunion picture was taken on our little stage. Danny Honeycutt, 77, closed our 30th reunion with prayer to bless our luncheon and safe trips home.
An announcement was made that McKey’s annual Cake Walk and Chili Supper would be at 5 p.m. on Nov. 1.
Attending the reunion were: William and Jan Covington, Union City, Calif.; Jimmie Wright Stokes, Rogers, Ark.; Wayne Dial, Muskogee; Ruby Kight Roark, Checotah; Robert and Dorcas Lunkenbill, Choteau; Danny Honeycutt, Roland; Doris Honeycutt McDaniels, Muldrow; Ruth Dotson Harris, Gans; and Virginia Mattingly Kimble and daughter, Bunch.
Attending from Vian were: Karen Thomason Mathis, Mary Thomason, Janice Blount Sanders, Gelene Dotson, Ora Lee Dobbs Kirk, and Lauren Kirk.
Attending from Sallisaw were: Barbara Taylor Maddox, Loretta Taylor Reed Olen and Loretta Caron and son, Dwight James, Carolyn Dotson Joseph, Artho Covington, Brenda James Webb, and Jackie Snow Pop.
Calls were received from: Linda Adams Bruton, Tulsa; Glenn and Billie Taylor, Perkins,; and Lonnie and Janet Covington, Rowlett, Texas.
