Sheffield girls in the Fifties were beautiful in the way Grace Kelly was beautiful. They seemed, at least to this observer who, at that time, was painfully uncomfortable around them, sophisticated and unapproachable like Greek goddesses. Some had their own circles and clubs. But, as these photos, which were provided by some of these same girls, show, they were down to earth, full of fun, and hard-working.
From this vantage point, fifty years later, we know they were/are approachable, loving, emotional, hard-working, patient and forgiving. Most of us guys found mates either from Sheffield or from close by and from classes near ours, and most found a lifetime of happiness with them. As Buck Locke said at the 46th reunion at the Rec Center in 2002, "The most impressive and magical thing was that the girls have gotten more lovely over the years, and most of the boys seem to have matured."
Click on the thumbnail image to enlarge the picture
Proms
I know, proms require the presence of both genders! But, can you imagine in your wildest dreams, a boy ever inventing the practice of getting so dressed up and whirling around a dance floor painstakingly decorated with a theme? No, these rituals are a girl thing, and the boys go along with it because they are captives of their hormones.
Boy-Girl Parties
The social scene at Sheffield High was conducted
around significant "official" events like intermission parties
or breakfasts at the Junior--Senior Prom, whereas extracurricular associations and clubs had no requirement to wait for such
occasions. Individuals or small cliques would get together and plan
parties, and it was no accident that the planning committees would be
entirely female.
.jpg)
Sunbathing
A good tan was a sign of healthy outdoor athleticism, and as soon as sporadic warm days of April or May would allow, a towel, shorts and sleeveless shirts and a horizontal surface were all that was needed to get started on your tan. The one on the left looks like Ann Shook to me. The one on the right can be none other than Eleanor Morrison who, it seems, stayed out too long trying to catch every last ray of sunshine.
Actually, these photos, above, were not sunbathers but models for the SHS Camera Club.
These are the sun worshipers (Legend)
Lindsay Nathan,
Irelle Dunning, Carol Cahoon, June Holmes, and Joyce Coburn advertising a
Stanley Rosenbaum film playing at the Colbert
Who can blame Stanley Rosenbaum for employing the most beautiful, attention-getting attractions in Sheffield to advertise the film, Susan Slept Here, playing at the Colbert Theater. June tells me that in those days they shamelessly "paraded" themselves, although onlookers would disagree--they were sharing their God-given pulchritude. After driving down Montgomery Avenue sitting on the fenders of that automobile, they stopped in front of the theater for this posed photo. What a photo! A brand-new Nash Statesman, a pristine Colbert Theater that no longer exists and five beautiful classmates.
June
Holmes and Irelle Dunning riding the hood of that Nash 
Irelle Dunning as a bicentennial beauty
In 1958, three years after our graduation, Sheffield celebrated something. The official bicentennial was 7 years away, but I distinctly remember growing a beard as a Florence State student--on pain of being fined 75¢ every time a policeman saw me clean-shaven. Part of the celebration included the "Southern Belles," of which, of course, Irelle was one. From the items in the background, this photo was probably taken by Mr. Revis Crump in his camera shop. I found it in a collection of photos taken from his shop before it was demolished and given to the Sheffield Public Library.
Jane Robinson, Jean Gardner, an unidentified little beauty and Irelle Dunning in a junior beauty contest
In this photo submitted by Gayle Steverson, we see some future SHS beauties.
Girl
Parties
LEFT: Lindsay Nathan, Connie Johnson, Jean Gardner and Irelle Dunning at a Slumber Party One of the popular things girls of our teen years did was to hold "pajama parties" or "slumber parties." From the looks of Lindsay and Connie they are at a "slumber party" in this photo.
RIGHT: Peggy Wynne, Bette Anderson, Nancy Pugh and Beverly Broutin at Peggy's birthday party. These four girls had birthdays only days apart. Here they are at Peggy's Sweet Sixteen Party. They liked this so much they had a "Sweet 50" party in Chattanooga, celebrating all four birthdays at one event. Click here to see it.
Annette Clark, second from left, and unidentified friends
The event depicted by this photo is unknown, as is the identity of the three girls with Annette. It obviously is a formal occasion and illustrates the dress of the day for young women--high heels, conservative dark suits/dresses that covered the knee, and hats. I'm surprised by the absence of white gloves!
Cuttin' Up!
SHS girls knew how to have fun together, whether it was running around together on the free time during band trips or taking advantage of the opportunity to pelt the photographer with snowballs or just playing in the park, posing for the photographer.
What I find interesting about the last photo of an obvious incident of frivolity in a park (looks like the river overlook by Gordon Avenue up by the stand pipe) is the way these two girls are dressed. They have on what would be called "Sunday informal" today together with high heeled patent leather shoes. Girls today certainly don't romp around dressed like this.
Snowball Fight: Elise Hastings, Carol Cahoon (snowball pitcher), Eleanor Morrison
Cuttin' Up in the Park: Spanker Annette Clark and Spankee Eleanor Morrison (I think)
Back to nature!
This photo also illustrates the profound difference between now and back then. Annette Clark and Joann Marsh could just as well be dressed for a formal tea as they are for hiking in the woods. We didn't always dress up for regular play, but an outing with family or an organization called for proper dress.
Guys bagged groceries, pumped gas, and delivered newspapers as extracurricular jobs. Girls were salesladies. In the photo on the left, Annette Clark is a shoe saleslady--probably at Olims or Belks. Do you remember Alan Silverberg being in our class before he moved to Florence and graduated from Coffee High? He's the only other one I recognize in this photo.
June Holmes' job was at McLellan's (coincidentally, my Mom was a McLellan's employee in downtown Florence 25 years before), where the pay was not so good, but taxes and deductions only took 2% of the gross pay. This pay envelope shows that the pay scale was $0.54 per hour for June's 37 hours worked in the week ending on Christmas Eve. That 43¢ deducted for June's purchases from the store probably bought more than you think!
Mabel Maloney, Louis' mom--McLellan's employee, 1931
Musical Performance, Religious
Our class had the good fortune to have talented musicians who used their talents in the service of their churches. Of course, we benefited when they joined the Glee Club, too. Recognized to be precociously talented, Sandra Maclin and Beverly Broutin began playing the organ and piano in their churches before or during their high school years and continued to serve in the capacity of organist or pianist for their entire lifetimes up to the present. Connie Johnson was a featured vocal soloist at her church on most holiday celebrations.
Do you remember these feminine fashion fads?
Poodle Skirts
Bobby Sox
Crinoline Petticoats
French Twist
Penny Loafers
Big Ear Rings
*Here are Linda Methvin, Irelle Dunning & Beverly Broutin showing how pedal pushers were created in Sheffield by rolling up blue jeans. Bobby sox, penny loafers and saddle shoes were "The Thing" in footwear. Do you remember using garters to keep the bobby sox up? I, personally, didn't prefer to use them, but my wife says that you gals did.