A total of 73 students and family attended the ninth annual McKey School and Community Reunion Oct. 4. "It was a great day of memories," Jackie Pop, organizer, said.

Attendees arrived at McKey from five states, Arkansas, California, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma.

William and Jan Covington of Union City, Calif., traveled the longest distance this year. Joe Brooks, 85, and Hattie Real Dotson, 82, were the oldest students present. Walker Hez Edgmon, 10 months, son of Craig and Delana Edgmon, was the youngest attendee. His great-grandparents, Hez and Dona Edgmon, and grandparents, Clyde and Peggy Edgmon, are lifelong residents of McKey.

"Faxon Stinnett, 96 and Doug Thomason, 88, former students, were unable to attend. We watched Walker Edgmon climb up the McKey School steps," Pop said.

A covered-dish luncheon was served following the prayer of blessing led by Leon Petree. Following the luncheon, group pictures were taken in front of the school-house.

The former students gathered inside the school for a program led by Pop. Glenn Taylor led the group in saluting the American flag.

Taylor and Carlotta Taylor Davis shared a handmade quilt dating back to 1949 that was made by McKey ladies. Many McKey family names were embroidered on the quilt.

Acknowledgment of former students who died during the past year included Bernice Kight, Ruby Taylor, Bonnie Covington, Plura Ray Breashears, Hoppy Lockhart, G.L. Edgmon, Edward Shelton and Clint Edgmon. Since the 1985 reunion, 72 former students have died.

"These past nine reunions have blessed McKey with renewed memories, pictures and lives of our past friends. The younger generation of McKey is being taught the history and strength that McKey represents so that McKey will live on through future generations," Pop said.

The school began in 1908 and closed in 1961. The McKey Community School Building was reborn in 1982 when a 4-H club group, led by Alma Dobbs, started to repair the old, weather-beaten roof.

"McKey's first reunion was held June 8, 1985, in 103