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Submitted by: Kay Cunningham
MARLIN EX-STUDENTS
ASSOCIATION
Previous to organization of Marlin Ex-Students Association in 1949, school home
comings were sponsored and carried through by the faculty and students. Since
organization, the Association has joined in assisting them in details.
At the home coming of 1949, when a proposal that a former students organization
be effected, it met with wide approval. The Association's first secretary, Mrs.
W. S. (Mildred Peter- son) Bowdon, reported in words to the effect: "On November
11, 1949, baldness, bifocals, bridges and bulges gave mute testimony of the
ravages of time-in noticeable contrast were teenagers with bangs, blue jeans and
bobby sox-" all "planned the home coming." Seriousness was noticeable, too -in
words of loyalty to Alma Mater and expressions of admiration for the schools and
eager, intelligent pupils and students.
At the home coming (1949), Dr. Walter S. Smith, acting as temporary chairman,
called a meeting at which he stated the purpose was to organize a former
students' association for promoting more effective support of the schools,
cementing friendships of school days and encouraging the boys and girls of the
community. The association was promptly organized and named "Marlin Ex-Students
Association." The first officers were Roy Eddins, president; Mrs. Seawillow
(Johnson) King, vice-president; Mrs. Mildred (Peterson) Bowdon, secretary;
Albert H. Peterson, treasurer; and George S. Buchanan, publicity chairman.
Selected to prepare a draft of a constitution and by-laws of the Association
were Sam Dollahite, Mrs. Walton (Mary Frances Robinson) Jones and Dr. Smith. At
the home coming of the following year, November 16, 1950, the instrument was
presented by Mr. Dollahite and unanimously adopted.
In cooperation with the school faculty and students a program of activities was
arranged along lines of former home coming programs. At the first home coming
(1950), Dr. A. C. Ferguson of Commerce, Texas, former superintendent of the
schools, was principal speaker. Music also featured the gathering, at which Fred
Pauling, high school principal who had been elected vice-president of the
Association a few hours previously, presided.
The Association has held home coming meetings each year annually except in 1952,
the Association having voted to meet every two years, a vote that was rescinded
after failure to meet one year.
At the 1957 meeting, Albert L. (Dutch) Sebesta, president suggested two closely
related projects, (1) establishment of a permanent school archives and (2)
preparing, preferably in a book, a catalogue and history of the schools. Both
projects were adopted and Judge John C. Patterson was appointed chairman of the
archives committee and Roy Eddins, historical editor.
Officers of the Association have been: Presidents: Roy Eddins; Mrs. Nettie
(Falconer) Allen; Mrs. Una (Pringle) Llewellyn, who resigned soon after
election; Mrs. Henry D. (Octavia Allen) Rush; Dr. Walter S. Smith; Mrs. Hillie
Hart (Johnson) Thompson; Albert L. Sebesta; Garland Barton; Mrs. Kenneth (Mary
Ann Peevey) Garrett; and encumbent (1960), Dr. Frank McKinley.
Vice-Presidents: Mrs. Seawillow (Johnson) King; Miss Agnes Peyton; Fred Pauling;
Tom Craven; o. E. Curry; Sam Dollahite; Wallace Dreyer; John Chatmas, II; Mrs.
Charles H. (Fan Read Buie) Cornwell; Mrs. Walton (Mary Frances Robinson) Jones;
Garland Barton; Mrs. T. B. (Bessie Harlan) Bartlett, Sr.; Mrs. Kenneth (Mary Ann
Peevey) Garrett; Ray Allen; John Dickens and Mrs. Robert G. (June Houston)
Davison.
Secretaries: Mrs. Mildred (Peterson) Bowdon; Mrs. Elizabeth (Fullinwider)
Kirkpatrick; Mrs. Guy (Velma Barganier) Garrett, Jr.; Miss Mary Catherine Smith;
Mrs. Boone (Maybelle Barton) Roberts; Mrs. Walton (Mary Frances Robinson) Jones;
and Walter H. Allen.
Treasurers: Albert H. Peterson; Louie Oltorf; Aaron McKnight; Judge John C.
Patterson; George Wilson; Billy Steele; and James Glockzin.
Officers for 1959-60 were: Dr. Frank McKinley, Jr., president; John Dickens and
Mrs. Robert G. (June Houston) Davison, vice-presidents; Walter H. Allen,
secretary; and James Glockzin, treasurer.
NOTE:
Because publication of this book began early in 1961 and it was possible to
include names of the 1960-61 officers and directors, who were responsible for
its publication, they are (were): Tom Gallaher, president; George Stallworth and
Miss Roberta Falconer, vice-presidents; James Glockzin, treasurer; Walter H.
Allen, secretary; and Albert L. (Dutch) Sebesta, Grady Hutchings, Sr., Thomas
Black, J. C. Chatmas, Jr., T. J. Honeycutt, Dr. Frank McKinley, Jr., Mrs. Cullen
J. (Doris Davison) Rogers, David Hicks, Mrs. Robert G. (Katherine Landrum)
Carter, Mrs. Henry (Marjorie Rogers) Church, Buford Finley and Mrs. Guy Garrett,
Jr.
