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Sunday June 8, 2003
by J. Harold Thurmond Sunday morning dawned with fog drifting in the valley and clouds hugging the mountain tops. All was wet from the heavy rain of Saturday as Woodruff Memorial Chapel beckoned in the sparkling eastern sun. 
The fog and clouds burned away as many gathered to remember and honor those alumni and teachers who had passed away in the previous year. Jack Ayers ’51 and Bill Kelly ’55 read Scriptures; Rev. Randall Hardy ’76 sang a call to worship and preached the message. The memorial portion of the service was especially worshipful and touching. Susan H. Odom very effectively led the alumni in “Remembering Friends Already Home”. As Susan read each name of the deceased, a memorial bell was tolled, and a family member or friend walked the aisle to place a carnation in the memorial vase. Those who had a connection with the deceased stood. As the flower was placed Susan read “For the gift of this life…” the congregation responded with “We thank you God”. 
2003 Homecoming Memorial Chapel Service Honoring Our Deceased Alumni, Faculty and Staff
After remembering our friends the alumni choir set the chapel to rocking with a spirited medley of Just a Little Talk With Jesus and Dwelling in Beulah Land. Gail Means Beisiegel ’60 animatedly directed the fine group of singers with Alice Siebert Philp tickling the ivories as only she can. I think the basses won honors for their booming, growling solos in, “Now let us have a little talk….” 
 An offering was taken with the proceeds to go to the “Miss Frances D. Fabrick Mission Fund”. The fund will be ongoing and is to be used to assist with worthy mission projects. As we closed with the singing of the beautiful school hymn, God’s Keeping, there were more than a few damp eyes in evidence. As was the case all weekend, lunch was an abundance of good food and fellowship. Hazel G. Underwood and Martha C. Mann enjoyed the food and almost caught up on their talking. Bob Welden, Susan H. Odom and Jane T. Bridges did their part also. 
Carol Coleman McDougal and Maxine Teague Vinson, class of 52 enjoying a moment together. Tom Weaver and Alice Hemple Kamin were delighted that Richard Melvin came down from Highlands to have lunch with us on Sunday. 
Beverly Guthrie Lougher - June 8, 2003 The last item on our Homecoming agenda was to attend the dedication of the Tallulah Falls Railroad Museum by Dess Oliver. When we arrived, the engine was waiting to leave the station with room for passengers. 
Dess told us the history of his dream to preserve a piece of the Tallulah Falls Railroad and he thanked every individual, company, and organization that had helped to make this dream come true. 
The Tallulah Falls Railroad Museum is dedicated to George Kittredge and Carl Rogers. The plaque reads, “The Tallulah Falls Railroad Museum is dedicated to George Kittredge and Carl Rogers for their love of the Tallulah Falls Railroad, and their foresight in collecting and preserving its artifacts and memorabilia to be passed on to future generations of Tallulah Falls Railfans”. 
The ribbon was cut by Dess, Mr. Kittredge, and Mr. Rogers as Kathy Sparks looked on. I know this is a very proud moment for Jackie and Dess and the school. 
Dale and I clambered on board for the first train ride - almost to Dillard. Jackie Oliver was our engineer and she brought us home safely. 
Jack Ayers found a comfortable spot to watch the festivities. 
With the museum dedication, the weekend was finally to a close and what a wonderful weekend! The Centennial Homecoming was a huge success, even with the rain. Our thanks to Janie, Kathy, and Greg for welcoming us home. As promised - We close our remembrances of the weekend with Harold's poem composed for the Centennial Homecoming Celebration. 
Janie Owens with Ruby Brown van Rooyan '25 I am Harold Thurmond. I have a long legacy at RGNS. I graduated in 1960, my brother and sister also graduated here. We were farm family. Both of our parents attended here. Both sets of my grandparents were farm family in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Many of their children and grandchildren attended here. Each of us has different memories of our time at the Gap. This weekend of celebration and fellowship has revived many of those memories. I thank the school for providing this occasion for us to see our friends and relive those memories. I want to share some of my impressions of this weekend in a poem entitled: 100 At The Gap The old school has turned one hundred, Ms. Ruby is getting there too, Janie O. is over forty, But acts like she’s twenty-two. Hands that were firm and tender, Now reach for assisting rails, Lives that were warm and carefree, Now seem so old and frail. Old friends embrace one another, Recalling memories so dear, “Who is that man over yonder?” “I know, but my memory’s not clear.” The old lady has turned one hundred, The halls have been changed o’er the years, Young folk still laugh with each other, Old folk still laugh through the tears. The old halls are echoing with laughter, Of young folk then and now, Sweet chimes peal out o’er the pastures, Bringing peace at the evening hour. Thanks to RGNS for all the memories. 
2003 J. Harold ThurmondIn loving Memory 
Ione Thurmond Dickerson 1910-2003 Class of '31 Photos
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2003 by Beverly Guthrie Lougher,
Carol