Some Classmates of 76!

Stephen Willie 1973-1977

After High School I enlisted in the Air National Guard at Lovell Field and later moved to Newport, KY where I continued to serve with a combat group in communications. Worked many different jobs in communications electronics before surrendering to a genuine call to serve in Christian Ministry. I went on to college where I redeived a BA in Church Ministries with an emphasis in Music. I also met my wife there who bore me a beautiful daughter. After serving as a Music and Youth Director in various churches I turned to a new calling of my Lord to Pastor a church in NC. I'll be 47 this weekend and I haven't heard from anyone since I left highschool. I did not graduate with my class but attained a GED in order to enter the military. But my life is living proof that Jesus cares for even the small people.

George Erdel Class of 72!










Be sure to stop in and visit the www.central72.com page, one of the "Favorite Links" on this blog! That is our Class of 1972 OFFICIAL Home Site. My e-mail and Contact Information is on there. Please send me your contact data for the class directory. I have good addresses and numbers for 252 classmates of 1972.

Contact George at gerdel@comcast.net and 615-631-4305

THE SPIRIT SQUAD 76!

The Spirit Squad, composed of thirty-three girls showed their Central spirit throughout the school year.

Richard Murray 1974 - 1977



So, how do you cover the last 30 years. I have lived in or around Chattanooga for most of those years. I did spend three years in Michigan after two years at Cleveland State. But, in the last 15 years I have been spending time trying to break into the college coaching ranks. I spent the past two years as the head softball coach at Hiwassee College. That was after fifteen years working in the Cleveland State Athletic Dept. I started with the men's basketball team in the early '90s as an assitant to a friend of mine. After he resigned to go back as an assistant himself at a four year school I became the school's sports information director. Along the way I helped with the softball and women's basketball program, but mostly behind the scenes. That brought us to two years ago when my friend took the men's basketball head coaching job at Hiwassee College and he asked if I would come as his assitant and I accepted. Then they offered me the softball coach's position and both years were a struggle, but I got through and had a positive recruiting class when I got the news that they weren't renewing my contract. You can't get too devastated when they only paid me $4600 for the entire year. I do regret never getting to coach the girls I signed, but that is the nature of college coaching. Now, I am back in Cleveland. I am working in the service industry to pay the bills and I have returned to Cleveland State as the sports information director. More to come later.

Jerry Kirtley 1975-1977

Rhonda Braley 1973-1976



I have been married to Rhonda Braley (Central class of '76) for 26 years and still live in Harrison. We built a house on her Grandfather's farm and now have 7+ acres with a golden retriever and two horses.

We have two beautiful girls...Dana 19 yrs. old who plays softball for Chattanooga State and is working towards a degree in teaching/coaching. Halei is 15 yrs. old and goes to Ooltewah High School. She also plays softball and is an awesome volleyball player. We love to watch the girls play!

I have been a salesman for Lookout Beverages (Now Horizon Wine & Spirits) for the past 24 years and feel it has been the best experience anyone could ever want in a career.

Rhonda & I have been to Hawaii, San Francisco (twice), Montreal, Canada, San Antonio, San Diego, Jamaica, Aruba, Costa Rica, Las Vegas, and the best trip was Germany.

We have had a great life together and raised two fantastic girls since graduating Central. I am now wanting to get another motorcycle to start riding a little now that the girls are drifting in their own directions because we used to have a blast doing that too!

You can see more photo's under "Favorite Links" of my family!

Some faces from the "Class of 75"


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Rhonda Lillard 1979


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Unfortunately, I did not graduate with my classmates due to a sudden
tragedy in our family, I relocated and then returned for a short time
to attend Chattanooga State. Went to work for Minolta then I
relocated to South Georgia where I went to work for FMC Heavy
Equipment. I traveled all over and my husband came to work there shortly
after I did and we started dating after we went on a company cruise. I
moved back to Chattanooga for a short time and then accepted my
husbands proposal and moved back to Savannah and got married. My
husband worked for Allen Test Products in which we ran the business out
of our home. We bought into a franchise and found out after 5 years
they weren't going to sell us the property as promised so we found a
piece of commercial land, found a contractor and put our dream into
action. That was nearly 12 years ago and we've been going strong ever since. We have 3 wonderful children that I am very proud of and my son has followed in Dad's footsteps for the most part, he and his very intelligent wife are doing very well. My two daughters are my best
friends and they live close to me.

We have 3 beautiful grandchildren with a grandson due in December.
Jesus is my hero! I really never got to say Goodbye to some of my
classmates and friends so maybe this is the chance to say hello again.
I hope to see some post from them or even make new friends. My husband
and I have worked together side by side since before we married, most
everyone says that they can not believe we can do that. I am proud
that we have been a very close knit family and with God's blessing I
pray it will always be that way.

Mike Weaver 1977-1980


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I am still living in Chattanooga and have been married to Paula for 18 years. I have two sons Micah who is an avid paintball player and sports enthusiast and Levi who is the best young man anyone could ask for.

EPB is my employer of choice right now (ha ha) and Paula is a home maker and substitute Teacher.

Holly Buffett 1974-1977













Garnett & Holly Smith on 25th anniversary


Create Your Own!

Hey guys! This is such an awesome website and I'm so excited that Donella had the idea for it and better yet, the knowledge of how to accomplish it!

I married Garnett (a/k/a "Scooter") Smith from Fort Oglethorpe - Lakeview Class of 74. We moved away from Chattanooga in 1983 and have had several moves since that time. The first to Columbia, SC, then Talledega, AL. Next to Gastonia, NC and then to Danville, VA. We moved back to Gastonia 13 years ago and have been here ever since. It was very difficult leaving family and friends on the first move, but the others were never quite as hard. Although we have been blessed with having wonderful friends that we still see from each place we have lived, Chattanooga will always be home to us! The fact that practically all of our families are still in the area means we get back as often as we can. It certainly makes travel during the holidays easier when both families are in the same location!!! We have spent every Christmas in TN since we moved away!

After my dad passed away in 1976, my mother opened "Jody's Junction" - a dress shop on Highway 58. She retired in 1995 and after 40 years has just recently moved from Lake Shore Hills to the big city of Chickamauga, GA to be closer to my sister, Melody - CHS class of 73.

We have two amazing daughters. Lindsey was 19 in July. A sophmore in college, she is studying nursing and working part time at an Assisted Living Center and also at our church as a youth intern. Our other daughter, Bailey, will be 16 next Tuesday October 3rd! I'm not quite sure Garnett and I are ready for our youngest to start dating and driving yet, but she certainly is!!! She is a sophomore at Ashbrook High School and loves it. Lindsey and Bailey are as different as night and day - one short, one tall; one brunette, one blonde; one quiet, one that talks non stop; one who could care less about the latest fashion; and one that lives to shop!!! But one thing they both have in common, they are awesome girls and we couldn't have been blessed with any better!

We are members of a wonderful church, Bethlehem Baptist, and are all actively involved in many different ministries there. Bethlehem has recently bought 76 acres of land and is in the process of one day building an awesome campus on it! Hopefully one large enough that we will never have to relocate again!

Garnett works at The Robert Allen Group in Gaffney, SC as Director of Quality Assurance and I work with McMahan @ Associates,(www.mcmahanandassociates.com )a financial planning firm in Gastonia. I received my securities licenses in 1985 and obtained my CFP (Certified Financial Planner) designation in 2002 from Queen's College in Charlotte, NC. My office is 5 minutes from home so I love the commute, and have become spoiled with coming home for lunch most every day!

I'm really looking forward to our 30th reunion next year because I've heard they are going to try and schedule it around the activities for the 100th anniversary of Central. It will be great to catch up with many friends from the "good ole days"! Unfortunately, I haven't been able to keep up with many of my classmates other than my sister and my cousins - the Ashley's - Mike (Class of 72), Tim (Class of 75) & Patti (Class of 77) whom I see on a regular basis.

Thanks again Donella. I really am enjoying the updates on everyone! And lets all remember to help Donella spread the word about the 70's blog!







Sandy Gribble 1972-1975

Information and more photo's coming soon!

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Mike Gentry 1976-1979










Information coming soon!

Chuck Overby - Information and photo's coming soon!

Rusty Kendall - 1974-1977

Susan Watkins - 1975-1978

It is Sunday, March 18, 2007 as I write this, and I can't believe that Rusty and I have been out of high school for almost 30 years! So much has happened since then. . .

Rusty and I were married on September 20, 1980 and we have two wonderful children. Our daughter, Lauren, is 22 and our son, Kevin, is 19. Rusty has been employed with Miller Industries for about 25 years. After being a stay-at-home mom for many years, I have entered the work force as an interpreter for the deaf with the Hamilton County School system. We've stayed in the Highway 58 area and currently live in Harrison.

We were always very involved in our children's lives and thoroughly enjoyed helping out with little league, marching band, football, and their church and school activities. Since they've both graduated now (from Central!), it has been a big adjustment for us. We didn't know what we were going to do with ourselves after attending eight straight years worth of Central's Friday night football games, but we're adjusting.

In addition to my family and my job, I stay busy with various hobbies and interests. For the past few years, I have served as Vice-President of the Hamilton County Genealogical Society, and I am also involved with the Central High Alumni Association as Communications Director. The Alumni Association is busily planning to celebrate Central's 100th birthday this year, and I hope to see you all at some of our events!

This photo is of me and my sisters, taken Christmas 2006. We are all graduates of Central!
Andrea Watkins Long '87, Janet Watkins McInturff '82, Terri Lynn Watkins Overby '80, and Susan Watkins Kendall '78.

Susan Watkins - 1975-1978

Rusty Kendall - 1974-1977

It is Sunday, March 18, 2007 as I write this, and I can't believe that Rusty and I have been out of high school for almost 30 years! So much has happened since then. . .

Rusty and I were married on September 20, 1980 and we have two wonderful children. Our daughter, Lauren, is 22 and our son, Kevin, is 19. Rusty has been employed with Miller Industries for about 25 years. After being a stay-at-home mom for many years, I have entered the work force as an interpreter for the deaf with the Hamilton County School system. We've stayed in the Highway 58 area and currently live in Harrison.

We were always very involved in our children's lives and thoroughly enjoyed helping out with little league, marching band, football, and their church and school activities. Since they've both graduated now (from Central!), it has been a big adjustment for us. We didn't know what we were going to do with ourselves after attending eight straight years worth of Central's Friday night football games, but we're adjusting.

In addition to my family and my job, I stay busy with various hobbies and interests. For the past few years, I have served as Vice-President of the Hamilton County Genealogical Society, and I am also involved with the Central High Alumni Association as Communications Director. The Alumni Association is busily planning to celebrate Central's 100th birthday this year, and I hope to see you all at some of our events!

This photo is of me and my sisters, taken Christmas 2006. We are all graduates of Central!
Andrea Watkins Long '87, Janet Watkins McInturff '82, Terri Lynn Watkins Overby '80, and Susan Watkins Kendall '78.

Gene Talley 1971-1974

I have been actively planning along with Barry White, Sandra Perry Stuermer and Kathy Farmer Ratz on each 5th anniversary of our graduation from Central. I have been living mostly in the Chattanooga area since I graduated from high school and also own a condo in Freeport Bahamas which was destroyed by last year's hurricane but in the process of being rebuilt.

Changed my major between HS graduation and the fall of ’74, I decided that I wanted to major in mechanical engineering at TTU. The courses were a struggle since I did not take physics, chemistry or calculus in high school but I managed to graduate and now work at Arnold AFB in middle TN. This is a great place to work since we test military and commercial aircraft engines or components in our test cells or wind tunnel. I am a civilian employee but benefit from training offsite which has led me to Seattle and Washington DC for training classes. I have worked at Arnold for nine years and God has blessed me with safe travel between my home in Hixson and my job of which the round trip commute is 160 miles.

This work falls in line with one of my hobbies as a private pilot and I earned my pilot’s license in June of ’79.

I am blessed with a daughter and son - my daughter is a sophomore in college and my son is a freshman in college and both attend school in Chattanooga.

Central Baptist Church of Hixson is where I attend and have been a member of since 1984. I was ordained as a deacon in August of 2005.

In Remembrance of Linda Lillard

I am posting this in remembrance of my sister Linda S. Lillard. After she graduated, she joined the Army as a Medical Nurse. When she finished she went to work at an Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist as his assistant. She was planning to me married and had announced her engagement and was starting to plan the wedding. She was killed in an automobilie accident in July of 1976 at age 20. She was in the chorus and sang solo, "I Don't Know How To Love Him" by Helen Reddy. She played in the "Pirates of Penzants" at the Little Theater. She had a beautiful voice and is greatly missed. I just wanted to post this in remembrance. Thank you, Rhonda

Laura Gosnay - 1973 - 1976

After Central, I went to several colleges, lived in a few different states and settled back in Chattanooga about 15 or so years ago. It's home! I just got married three years ago for the first time, it was also my husband's first marriage. Who knew I'd find someone at 40-something! No kids, just cats and dogs....


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Karen Sharp - Information and photo's coming soon!