It is with profound gratitude that I have served as your president during the 35th-year class reunion. The past few months have been some of the most enjoyable moments of my life - our reminiscing at the bi-monthly meetings, Eugene's imitation of Mr. Stovall's chastisement of someone caught returning to campus, our first cheer routine rehearsal and so on. Let us remember "feelings pass, thoughts pass and opinions change, but what you do lasts. It is well to think well, but it is divine to act well."

At this point in our lives we realize how much sand has passed through the hour glass and the importance of friendship. Be determined to continue to grow spiritually, realize your responsibility to live a life that influences others for good and when we make a mistake (and we all still do) take responsibility for your behavior and go forward. Last, realize that we all can give many valuable gifts, REGARDLESS of your present FINANCIAL situation and we can begin by challenging to give others the benefit of the doubt.

Richard B. Thompson was born in Brandon, Mississippi on June 23, 1909 to Mr. & Mrs. Bennie Thompson.

At a very young age his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee where he became a member of St. James A. M. E. Church. In 1937, under the Pastorate of Rev. W. L. Powell, Richard B. Thompson was a faithful member , serving in many capacities; as a steward, Sunday school teacher, Boy Scout Leader, and member of Auxillary #8.

Richard and Lucille repeated their vows and consummated their marriage and became the proud parents of eighteen children.

Richard B. Thompson was a graduate of Manassas High School and Tennessee State University where he received his B.A. and M.A. Degrees.

Richard Thompson's first assignment was Thomas Chapel School in Rossville, Tennessee as teacher and later principal. He also served as principal in Arlington, Tennessee. In September 1945 he began working in the Memphis School System, at Porter School as a teacher and later principal. He was also principal at Grant School.

His tenure at Carver High School as principal began in September 1957 through May 1975, when he began his retirement.

We the Class of 1962 Salute your memory and give recognition, honor, love, and gratitude to such a wonderful and inspiring individual who gave so much of himself as a human being. For he fought a great fight, with wisdom, teaching, listening, and inspiring young people to do their best.

By example he was the epitomy of what children and teenagers needed for this day July 26, 1997. We applaud you and thank you for your leadership and support of Black children that came through Carver under your leadership.

Richard B. Thompson departed this life October 4, 1988.

"Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails."

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: For sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Because of God's great love for us we shall never die; we shall live on and on; in a place that He has prepared for us; a tree that will be for the healing of the land. But most importantly, just to see His Face!

Dance . . . until the Sun rises over the Mississippi !