Members of Abbeville High Class of 1943 reunite

Life has many milestones, birth, a baby’s first steps, learning to read, high school graduation, college graduation, marriage, birth of a child and class reunions. There is no doubt that a 70th class reunion is one of the significant milestones of life.
There is no doubt that a 70th class reunion is one of the significant milestones of life.
Members of the the Abbeville High School Class of 1943 gathered Friday afternoon at Shucks to reunite.
The original class had 82 graduates. Only 12 showed up to eat. It is  unknown how many of the 82 are still alive.
“I mailed out 41 letters,” said Gloria Pierce Harrington. “This is how many showed today.”
There were 12 out of 82 who reunited. Many of those 12 were expected to ride in the Abbeville Homecoming Parade on Friday.  It was unknown of any were going to the football game.
Today, the 12 who showed ranged in age from 87 to 88.
When they graduated, Abbeville High is where J. H. WIlliams Middle School is today. The building they went to school in was torn down in the 1980s.
They graduated high school after only 11 grades and many were only 16 years old.
At the time, World War II was in full force and many male teachers and administrators had to leave the school because they were drafted into the military.
As for the male students being worried,  Bob deGrauuw, who was the class president,  said the males were not worried because they were only 16 and could not be drafted until they were 18 years old.
Willard Mouton enlisted in the Navy when he was 17. He had to get permission and a signature from his parents because he was under 18.
“I went in the Navy a boy and came out a man,” Mouton said.
The next time the Class of 1943 will get together will be in another 10 years.  They will be in the 90s and knocking on the door of 100 years old.
“It will be interesting to see who returns in 10 years,” said Harrington.
 

How Much things cost in 1943
 Average Cost of new house $3,600.00
Average wages per year $2,000
Cost of a gallon of Gas
 15 cents
Average Cost for house Rent $40 per month
Bottle Coca Cola
5 cents
 Average Price for a new car $900.00