Bettye DuPre, my grandma, was born and raised in Abbeville, South Carolina. She graduated from Abbeville High School in 1938.

The above pictures are of her graduating class and an individual portrait taken for the occasion. I love seeing the small size of the class all gathered at the front door of the school. I count 45 graduates with Bettye pictured in the third row, third from the left. She was about 6 feet tall, so I don’t think her row is elevated. It would be interesting to know what color their caps and gowns are.

In the second picture, she looks so elegant: the dark lips and hair against her porcelain skin and light dress; the puffy sleeves, the sheer overlay, with the accents at her neck and slender waist; and the simple jewelry and strapy shoes. She is holding some fabric in her left hand, but I’m not quite sure what it is.