Rockport Class Of 1952.

Rockport High School Graduates!
1950 Series Of The 1952 Class.

Rockport Seniors-Class Of 1952.

A Brief Statement About Each Graduate Plus A Bonus Picture In Some Cases.
An Original Idea From Hilma A. Stewart.
Stat by jrd.
Music Is An Old Tune-"Try To Remember".

There Were 8 Graduates In This Class.

Rockport Class Of 1952.

The above picture is the official class picture of the 1952 Graduating Class at Rockport, KY. Picture was supplied by Jimmy Beck. Previous information was obtained by using the 1951 Yearbook. Seems that there was no annual for the 1952 Class. At least, I have not seen one. I have added two classmates that were previously left out. Please include Bobby Beck and Paul Steenburgen to the list.

Bobby Beck.

Bobby attended Drakesboro High School for three years and his senior year at Rockport High. After graduation, Bobby worked in Evansville at one of the appliance factories and then was drafted in the Army. He spent 18 months in the Army and then was discharged. About two months after he got out of the Army he had a stroke. He lived approximately 1 yr and passed away at the age of 26.

Write-up and picture furnished by Jimmy Beck. Thanks Jim.

Wilma Ruth Curtis.

Photo above of Sam and Ruth Curtis Drake taken at the Rockport 2006 Reunion by jrd.

Ruth Curtis graduated from Rockport in 1952 and she tried the work force for a few years, before she married Billy Sam Drake in 1954. They were "Long Time" residents of Beaver Dam where Billy Sam worked for Young's Lumber Company. They raised one son, Tommy, and he learned the trade of "Heating And Air Conditioning. A few years later, Tommy established a Heating and Air Conditioning Company in Morgantown. Ruth started to work for the company and eventually she and Sam moved to Morgantown. They have two granddaughters and three great-grandchildren.

OBITUARY-From Jones Funeral Home.

William Samuel Drake, known affectionately as Sam to his friends and family, passed away peacefully on Christmas Day, 2025, at the Hospice of Southern Kentucky. Born on April 21, 1931, in Central City, Kentucky, Sam's life was a testament to the values of kindness, friendliness, and wisdom that he embodied throughout his 94 years.

Wilma Ruth Drake, known affectionately as Ruth by her loved ones, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2025, at her residence in Morgantown, Kentucky. Born on February 9, 1934, in Echols, Kentucky, in Ohio County, Ruth's life was a testament to her enduring kindness, humor, and selflessness throughout her 91 years.

Sam and Ruth were both graduates of Rockport High School in Ohio County, KY. They were married December 11, 1954 in Springfield, TN. Sam was a United States Air Force Veteran and his professional journey led him to Young Manufacturing Co. in Beaver Dam, Kentucky, where he dedicated many years of hard work and eventually rose to the position of Vice President. His commitment to his work was paralleled only by his dedication to his family and his passions. Ruth's professional life was marked by her tenure as a clerk at Quality Supply, however, her most cherished role was that of a homemaker, where she created a warm and welcoming home for her family. Together Sam and Ruth owned race horses and enjoyed spending time at the race track on weekends. They enjoyed raising a garden, cooking, canning and telling old story's but most of all they enjoyed spending time with family especially their grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandson.

Sam is preceded in death by his parents, Owen M. and Dixie Agnes Rhule Drake, his brother Bobby Drake, and sister Martha Ferrell, Sam's legacy is carried on by his loving family. He is survived by his son, Tommy Drake (Kim) of Morgantown, Kentucky; his granddaughters, Jill Hall (J.R.) of Caneyville, Kentucky, and Laura Kent (Raleigh) of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee; and his six great-grandchildren, Morgan Staten (Carter) of Dalton, Georgia, Kaitlyn Kitchen (Tyler) of Paris, Kentucky, Bradley Lewis of Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Aubrey, Ava, and Blakely Kent, all of Lawrenceburg, TN. The joy of his life was further multiplied by the arrival of his great-great-grandson, Levi Kitchen of Paris, Kentucky. Sam also leaves behind his cherished niece, Kim Latham (Mike) of Central City, Kentucky, and nephew, Tim Ferrell of Breman, Kentucky.

Ruth is preceded in death by her parents Forrest M. and Myrtle Inez Bowen Curtis and her brothers Eddie and Darrell Curtis. Her legacy continues through her son Tommy Drake and his wife Kim of Morgantown, KY. Ruth's joy was multiplied with the birth of her two granddaughters, Jill Hall (J.R.) of Caneyville, KY, and Laura Kent (Raleigh) of Lawrenceburg, TN. She was blessed with great-grandchildren Morgan Staten (Carter) of Dalton, GA, Kaitlyn Kitchen (Tyler) of Paris, KY, Bradley Lewis of Bowling Green, KY,and Aubrey, Ava, and Blakely Kent, all of Lawrenceburg, TN. The recent addition of her great-great-grandson Levi Kitchen of Paris, KY, brought her immense happiness. Ruth is also survived by her sister-in-laws, June Curtis of Guntersville, AL, and Sherry Curtis of Beaver Dam, KY, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Joint Funeral Services for Mr. & Mrs. Drake will be held at the Jones Funeral Chapel Thursday, January 1, 2026 at 11:00am,with Bro. Leland Geary and Bro. Rob Rowland officiating. Burial will be in the Salem Cemetery where Bobby Curtis, Tim Ferrell, Raleigh Kent, Tyler Kitchen, Bradley Lewis and Carter Staten will serve as pallbearers, Tom Palmer and Larry Arnold as honorary pallbearers and military rights will be presented by the Ohio County AM Vets in honor of Sam's service. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 31. 2025 from 4:00pm - 8:00pm and Thursday 8:00am until funeral time at 11:00am at the Jones Funeral Chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to St Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St Jude PL Memphis, TN 38105, Hospice Of Southern Kentucky 5872 Scottsville RD., Bowling Green, KY 42104 or Norton's Children's Hospital 4001 Dutchman's LN Louisville, KY 40207.

Donald White.

This is the best picture that I have for Don White.

Donald was a character at the old Rockport High School. I don't think that very many people ever saw him unless he was wearing a big smile. He certain enjoyed life at the old high school. He graduated in 1952 and went to Louisville for work. I don't have much more on his working career nor his family life. He married, but am not sure of his wife's name. Donald is deceased. Think that he died in the year 2004. Will update this paragraph if more information becomes available.

Margarette Porter.

Picture of Margarette taken at the Rockport Days Event in 2004.
Photo by Dotty.

Marvin Dunn came to Rockport for a job and training under Mr. C. E. Durbin to be a Railroad Depot Agent. After a year or so, Marvin completed his training and left Rockport. First, her married Margarette and took her with him to his new job. They ended up living and raising a family in Roseville, Michigan. They raised four children including a set of twins.

Retirement life is good in Michigan for the Dunn's. They do some traveling and always try to attend the Rockport Reunion events. They also try to come back to Rockport a few times each year to visit friends and kin.

Dellie Singleton, Jr.

Space above for a picture of Junior.

Junior started the 1952 School year, but quit before he was to graduate. Junior Singleton is another one of the Rockport Students, in that time frame, that had to leave Rockport for work. He, like others, got a job in Louisville. From there, he found work in Arkansas where one of his brothers worked. While in Arkansas, he met Doris and they were soon married. It was back to Louisville where he was offered work with Reynolds Aluminum. The marriage produced a son. Ronnie became a father and that gave Junior and Doris a granddaughter. Junior and Doris were very proud of their only granddaughter.

A few years after Junior and Doris married, Junior was in a car wreck and was paralyzed from the waist down. He lived a long life in a wheelchair, dying on May 16, 2003. Junior was a Kentucky Wildcat fan and seldom did he miss listening to or watching them if they were being shown on Television.

L. H. Harper with his wife Betty Barnard Harper.

L. H. Harper graduated from Rockport in 1952. I think that L. H. tried the "Factory Work Scene" and did not care much for that type work. Then, and again I am using some old memory cells, I think that he became a carpenter. Some time later, he married Betty Barnard. Their dream place was a home in the country and they bought some land in the Echols Community. A few years later they build their dream home and retirement life has been great. I think there were two children, but may be wrong here. The aged memory cells again. I also don't know if there are any grandchildren.

Bobby McCoy.

No picture available.

Bobby started the 1952 school year as a senior, but quit before he was to graduate. Bobby McCoy married Fredia Elizabeth Nelson soon after high school. As has been written many times before, good jobs in this area were scarce or non-existent in this time frame. His option was the military service and he joined the Army. After serving his full term, Bobby returned to Ohio County and applied for work with Peabody Coal Company, Ken Mine. The mining industry, in this area, was beginning to expand and good jobs were being offered to the local residents, especially those that were returning from service to their country. Bobby became a coal miner and he and Fredia bought a house in McHenry and started their family. They had a large family that included four boys and one girl. There are several grandchildren.

Bobby had to retire early from Ken due to health reasons and the children were married with most living near by. Fredia died in the late nineties and Bobby did not live much longer.

Jean Duncan.

Space above for a picture of Jean.

Jean started the 1952 school year, but decided to quit before she graduated. No info on Jean.

Juanita Smith.

Space above for a picture of Juanita.

Juanita married Glendon Johnson before she graduated from high school and quit before she was able to graduate. They left the area and she has been a difficult one to find out very much information about. Will update this section if and when more information becomes available.

Paul Steenburgen.

Space above for a picture of Paul.

I knew Paul quite well even though he would attend a year of so at Rockport and disappear. I think that he attended Centertown for some of his high school years. After he graduated, I have not heard from him. Any information on Paul would be appreciated and updated.

Joyce McCoy.

Space above for a picture of Joyce.

Joyce married Rufus Lee after she graduated from High School. Rufus and Joyce tried work in the big cities, but returned to Ohio County. They settled in on a farm a few miles West of Beaver Dam and on the Rochester Road. Rufus was not a full time farmer and continued working a regular job until he was able to retire. Joyce died about ten years ago.

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Updated on 6/17/07.
Corrected Code on 10/23/16.
Updated on 6/1/26.
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jrd