Our friendships will always be remembered
Every Gathering Since We Left the Stage.
Fifty-five years of reunions not a list of dates, but a river running from that first gathering in 1981 all the way to today.
Every Gathering Since 1981
One class, showing up for each other for over half a century.
From a hotel banquet ten years after graduation to a cruise ship deck decades later this is the same group of people finding reasons to gather.
1981-10th Reunion
Reunited
Natchez, Mississippi · Toastmaster: Ronald Dunmore
Ten years after graduation, we gathered for the first time as one group a reunion banquet themed "Reunited," with the printed program surviving in full from that night. Special thanks to the pioneers of that first reunion Ronald Dunmore, Rev. Robert Strickland, Dwaine Perkins, and Attorney Patricia Fleming Dunmore and to classmates Robert Long Sr. and Edward King, who preserved priceless candid photographs from the Graduation Party. The program closed with lines from "Reunited," by Peaches & Herb the source of the reunion's theme.
1991 -20th Reunion
Sharing the Spirit
Natchez, Mississippi · July 5–7, 1991
Three full days under the theme "Sharing the Spirit" reunion, celebration, and farewell. Friday opened at the Holiday Inn with registration, a memorial service at New Zion Baptist Church, and an alumni mixer at the Natchez Eola Guest House. Saturday featured a homecoming parade from Old North Natchez, a family picnic on the Natchez City Bluff, a historic Black Natchez tour or riverboat cruise, and a dinner-dance gala at the Natchez Convention Center. Sunday closed with a Bon Voyage brunch.
1996 - 25th Reunion
A Quarter Century
A quarter century after graduation, the class gathered again for a formal evening rows of classmates seated together on a tiled ballroom floor, dressed for the occasion and still easy with each other after twenty-five years.
Growing Collection
Additional photographs from this reunion continue to grow as they are sorted and shared.
2001 - 30th Reunion
Together One More Time
Ramada Inn Hilltop · December 21–23, 2001
Thirty years after graduation, the class filled a ballroom at the Ramada Inn for a weekend that ran December 21–23, 2001 the earliest reunion in this collection with a confirmed date, venue, and photograph all in one place. The program closed simply: "Adjourn Until we meet again."
2011 - 40th Reunion
Four Decades
Natchez Grand Hotel · November 25–26, 2011
Forty years out, the class gathered dressed in black for a formal evening — another milestone marked the way this class always marks them: together, dressed up, and glad to be in the same room.
Program
• Fri · Registration, Natchez Grand Hotel, 111 Broadway Street
• Fri · 6:00 PM — Memorial Service, Rev. Johnny Elery (Joshua 4:4–7)
• Fri · Meet/Greet following the service
• Sat · 11:00 AM — Bus Tour (Dutch treat luncheon)
• Sat · 6:00 PM — Banquet
2013 - 42nd Reunion
God is Good
Covered in a Natchez Democrat opinion column by classmate Chester Barnes Jr., this reunion's theme centered on honoring the past, marking sixty years of life, and investing in the future. This was also the year the class first presented five $500 scholarships to top Natchez High School students in honor of their parents — the beginning of what's now the Class of 1971 Scholarship Program. Master of Ceremonies: Chester Barnes.
2016 - 45th Reunion
Seems Like Only Yesterday
Natchez Manor & Hotel Vue · July 1–3, 2016
Led by Gary Wallace and his committee, this reunion brought North & South Natchez back together under one banner and one theme. Friday: “An Evening of Reacquainting, Reconnecting and Reflecting” at the Natchez Manor. Saturday: banquet and dance at The Hotel Vue overlooking the Mississippi River. Sunday: worship at New Beginnings Baptist Church, a class meeting, and “An Afternoon of Jazz.”
Planning Team: Bessie Green Bradley, Rosena Mayberry Profice, Shirley Clay Sashfras, Katie Bland Cage, Betty McDonald Vantree.
The 45th Reunion also marked an important step in preserving our class history online. Gary Wallace created the class’s original reunion website, documenting the 42nd and 45th reunions along with class history, photographs, memorials, athletics, and the early years of the scholarship program. That early website preserved an important part of our story and helped lay the foundation for today’s expanded Class of 1971 Digital Archives.
2018 - 47th Reunion
A 65th Birthday at Sea
New Orleans & Carnival Triumph · May 4–12, 2018
A two-part celebration: "Jazzing in the Big Easy," a New Orleans lead-in May 4–7, followed by a six-day cruise aboard the Carnival Triumph, "Sailing to Mexico," May 7–12. Planned and managed by reunion chairperson Ella Clark. Classmates wore green-and-gold "Cruising Into 65" t-shirts, held a shipboard memorial tribute, and closed with an All-White Affair.
Source: "Class of 1971 Sets Sail," Natchez Democrat, June 17, 2018, Chester Barnes Jr.
50- Plus Reunion — Half a Century and Counting
A golden-anniversary celebration elegantly themed in black tie with gold and white décor. The reunion was chaired by Lynette Stewart, with Jackie Campbell, Rev. Herman Polk, Linda Gooden, Annie Marsaw, and Chester Barnes serving on the planning committee. This reunion also marked a significant milestone for the Class of 1971 Scholarship Program—“Mission Accomplished”—with the presentation of the 50th scholarship, bringing the class’s total to 50 scholarships and $25,000 awarded.
2023 - 50 + 70 Celebration
Downtown Natchez · July 7–9, 2023
Fifty years since graduation, seventy years since birth — a three-day celebration in downtown Natchez, matching t-shirts and all.
Program
• Fri · 5:00 PM — Memorial Service, Macedonia Baptist Church
• Fri · 7:00 PM — Reacquaintance, Cooley & Co.
• Sat · 1:00 PM — Tour, Natchez Museum of African American Culture
• Sat · 7:00 PM — Banquet, Natchez Convention Center
• Sun · 1:00 PM — Picnic & Class Meeting, Cooley & Co.
"First time to have it on, really enjoyed seeing everyone last week." — George "Smokey" Brice
2025 -54th Reunion — Back Out to Sea
Enchanted Princess · April 19–26, 2025
Seven years after the class's first cruise, this one set sail from Fort Lauderdale into the Eastern Caribbean aboard the Enchanted Princess — organized by Ella Clark. Ports of call: Princess Cays, San Juan, Amber Cove, Grand Turk. The class's own t-shirts called it the "Epic Reunion."
2026 - 55th Reunion — Reflecting · Reuniting · Making Waves
Golden Nugget Biloxi · April 23–27, 2026
Planned and led by Ella Clark, Robert Long, and Chester Barnes the reunion's "Tre" planning trio. The weekend honored Chester Barnes with the Legacy Leadership & Service Award; Ella Clark received a plaque of appreciation; Deacon Leonard J. Harris was recognized for his youth ministry work; Nathaniel Washington was honored for hundreds of reunion photographs; and Rosena Mayberry Profice was recognized for the Zion Hill Veterans Day service.