NATCHEZ &045; After a weekend of reunion activities, members of graduating classes from Sadie V. Thompson School gathered Sunday afternoon for &uot;dessert.&uot;

Capping the weekend was a worship and memorial service at Christian Hope Baptist Church, a service one classmate likened to the best part of a fine meal.

&uot;Our reunion has been as a five-course meal,&uot; Betty Washington, Class of 1966 said.

&uot;We had our soup, we had salad with some very good dressing, we had sorbet, we had the main course, we had a little bit to drink &045; like iced tea,&uot; she said as her classmates laughed. &uot;It is now dessert time. Dessert has energy in it, it has sugar. And there is no sugar any sweeter than the word of God.&uot;

Sunday afternoon’s service included a tribute to Thompson School’s teachers and a candle-lighting for those classmates who have died &045; one candle for each class as well as a candle for the teachers.

A representative from each class year came forward during the memorial to light a candle.

&uot;We want to assure you of our continued love for them,&uot; said Carolyn Myles, Class of 1969, speaking to the family members of deceased classmates and teachers. &uot;We promise you that we will always cherish them.&uot;

More than 600 people attended the reunion this year, said reunion committee president Willie Minor, Class of 1954. Minor and his committee have been planning for the event almost since the last one ended three years ago.

The era reunion draws class members from all of the years Thompson was open as well as class members from Natchez College and St. Francis School.

About half of those attending came from out of town, Minor said, which means they have been filling hotels throughout the area and eating at restaurants.

Many of the Thompson alumni said this year’s reunion has been the best so far.

&uot;It’s super,&uot; said Ethel Smith Harper, who now lives in Chicago. &uot;It’s the best we ever had. There’s more people, there’s more closeness.&uot;

James Phipps, now a San Jose resident, returns to Natchez often. But he has enjoyed the reunion because &uot;I’m seeing friends and people I have not seen since 1954,&uot; he said.

Just before the worship service began, people couldn’t cross the vestibule at the church without at least a wave hello, a kiss on the cheek or a hug of welcome.

&uot;It has been fantastic to see old friends,&uot; said Mamie Mazique Humphrey, who lives in Detroit, &uot;and to remember the wonderful times.&uot;

The reunion weekend began Thursday with a welcome reception. Friday’s activities included a picnic and talent show, and Saturday evening there was a banquet and dance at the Natchez Convention Center.

But even after all of the fellowship, on Sunday afternoon the class members turned to their first priority: praising God.

A choir made up of class members from several different years and from several different cities kept the alumni swaying and singing along at Christian Hope. All of the speakers and preachers were graduates, including evangelist Cornelia Butler, Class of 1963.

Classmates also took up a collection to help with the renovation of Thompson School, parts of which the reunion committee owns.

Washington, who was asked to give the welcome, acknowledged that by Sunday, she didn’t have to do so. &uot;From the time you got your invitation, you knew you were welcome,&uot; she said. &uot;We’re going to say thank you Lord for allowing us to come here one more time. We have had a wonderful time beginning Thursday evening until this moment.&uot;