The Class of 1944 found themselves in World War II.
The class started the first grade in 1932, introducing a decade of national and international depression, the worst drought of the century which originated the descriptive term, “Dust Bowl.”
When the class entered Sayre High School, both Asia and Europe were involved in bloody, armed conflicts and the neu trality of the U.S. was a hotly debated issue. These students learned of the attack on Pearl Harbor and their lives were virtually changed.
Members of the Class of 1944 are Betty Ann Livingston, Emma Lou Profitt Peddicord, Freida Boyd Puckett, Mildred Mackey Stoddard, Linnia Lee Richardson Toon, Herbert Cost, Mildred Wiley Barker, Eloise Wade Stone, Bill Fuller, Doris Ann Gregory Evans, Wilma Faye Davis Albert, Kermit Gurley, Natalie Ro- hlfing Hurd, Zoe Ann Ivester, Marjorie Howard Myers, Betty Jane Godfrey Hannah, Bette Henderson Breeding, Marguerite Henderson Gurley, Harvey Dunn, Ruth Casey Black, Nora Colleen Reed Murphy, Billie June Skinner Wood, Lewis Cook, and Henry Poore.
Many of these are in the Memorium roster, but some are still living. Kermit Gurley of Sayre feels that only he and Nora Colleen (Reed) Murphy are the only living classmates.
