They should have given the Basnett family its own wing at Monongah High.

Doris Jean Menear Basnett, Class of 1938, and her late husband, Roy Basnett, Class of 1932, started an enviable tradition: graduating from Monongah High.

All five of their sons followed suit:

Tom Basnett, Class of 1960

Dennis Basnett, Class of 1962

Carlton Basnett, Class of 1965

Jack Basnett, Class of 1969

Michael Basnett, Class of 1975

Doris celebrated her 99th birthday with family & friends September 29, 2019.

Dennis was on the football, baseball and track teams at Monongah High. Laura Basnett Shreve is Dennis’ daughter and Doris and Roy’s granddaughter.

Carlton also played football for Monongah High.

Tom married Nancy Riley Basnett, also Class of 1960. His photo wasn’t in the 1960 yearbook because he already was at the Columbus, Mississippi Air Force Base serving his country. Later, Tom was married Vivian Scott Basnett for 22 years.  

Their daughter, Kerri Basnett, an RN private duty nurse, is a Shinnston Lincoln High grad. An outlier in every family.

Fate kept the late Kimberly Basnett Culver from being a Monongah High graduate. She attended MHS for three years, then graduated in 1980 from North Marion because Monongah High was consolidated into North Marion in 1979. Kim also was a Fairmont State graduate who was David “Buck” Durham’s companion for a decade.

Barbara Basnett Cain started with the Class of 1956 before she left Monongah High and Worthington during her sophomore year and moved to Ohio. Barbara returned to Monongah in 1970 after marrying Matthew R. Cain. Her father was Paul Basnett, who drove both a school bus and a mine bus. At Monongah High, Barbara hung out with Barbara Jean Brooks, Class of 1955; Lillian Alice Baker, Class of 1956; and Sue Martino.

Other Basnetts who graduated from Monongah High:
Raymond Basnett, Class of 1947.
Beverly Basnett Zaleski, Class of 1965.
Debbie Rutherford Basnett, Class of 1975.
Raymond Basnett, Class of 1970