Around the table at Mac’s in 1999, from left: Tom Collier, Betty (Mayer) Wilkinson, Debbie, Terry Greiner Bentley, Mike Mueller, Dan Hagan, and Jim Bentley (partly turned toward the camera). With the exception of Terry, all are Class of ’69; Terry is Class of ’68.

The sudden and unexpected passing of Deborah (Duren) Lincoln came as very sad news to her friends and schoolmates, some of whom appear with Debbie in a photograph taken at McMillan’s Café in January of 1999.

Several of Debbie’s classmates would like to share some memories. “Debbie and I were especially close during junior high,” recalls Betty. “We even had matching hair styles once. One of our favorite pastimes was entering radio station contests to win free records. We won so many. Debbie was a happy person, fun-loving and good-hearted.”

Tom and Debbie enjoyed an innocent attraction to each other when they were about thirteen, which led to a movie date or two. “Debbie would ride her horse down to visit friends,” says Mike Mueller, who lived across the road from Wilhoit’s pasture on Highway 5. Debbie’s home was a couple of miles on up the road toward the Triangle. Classmate Peggy Newman lived next door to Mike. Tom was a two-minute clip-clop down the road.

Though somewhat shy, Debbie was very enthusiastic and a leader. She was a member of the Pep Squad all through high school and Paper Editor her last year. She gave a memorable performance in the Senior Play, The Night of January 16th, playing a moralistic housekeeper with a thick Swedish accent. The play was a big group effort. Dan served as Technical Director, overseeing construction of the set.

Debbie was always true to who she was. That is, a warm and sweet-natured lady. “Debbie was always Debbie,” says Jim, who won the Best Actor Award for his performance in the Senior Play. “She never changed.” Indeed, Debbie was a good kid all of her life. On behalf of Debbie’s many old friends and school chums, we say, “Goodbye kiddo. You’re in our thoughts and prayers.”

We’d like to close with an observation that Debbie would enjoy. Though many years have passed, this heartfelt remembrance came together like one of our high school projects of the late 1960s. In many ways, Jim is still Jim (a big-hearted bear, helpful with a touch of grumpiness), Betty is still Betty (cheering the team along, throwing in to help where she can), and Dan is still Dan (his wry and mysterious wit still intact). Perhaps it’s true that in high school we become who we will be the rest of our lives (for better or worse) and form enduring friendships that link us to the end.

Most certainly, the high school years can be exhilarating and great fun—for some the high point or happiest time of their life—which explains in part why many attend class reunions. It can also be very unfair—painful and embarrassing—which explains why some folks avoid class reunions like the plague. Whatever the ups and downs, we come into our own during the high school years. In various ways, classmates become part of each other.

Perhaps that’s why we feel the loss of a beloved school chum so deeply, though decades may have passed. We are still part of each other and shared the Days of Innocence. That’s it. Bye Deb. Wherever you are, be home by midnight, at least in spirit.

[Photo supplied by Betty (Mayer) Wilkinson; text prepared by Mike Mueller, with editorial support by Betty.]

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