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A School Teacher's Memories ~ Ashdown, Arkansas
GIRLS ~~~~~~~~~ 1944 - 1945
Norma Jean Adams (G)
Thelma Ayers (G)
Ann Cook
Bobbie Cook
Annie Bell Cunningham
Dorothy Dunn (G)
Ramah Nell Gilbert (G)
Augustine Kersten
Patsy Leathers
Bertha Robbins (G)
Bea Root (G)
Lawanda Sewell
Lenora Terry
Patsy Ruth Wills
Jo Ann Hemphill
1944 - 1945 ~~~~~~~~~~ BOYS
Charles Adkison (G)
Charley Austin
Mannie Brown (G)
Richard Cobb (G)
Donald Combs (G)
Jon Dellinger (G) (died 10/5/1997)
Spencer Daniels (G)
Charles Ford (G)
Reggie Kennedy (G)
Jimmy McCollum (G)
J.W.McGehee
Archie Merrell (G)
Olen Mitchell (G)
John Mobley
Thomas McDowell
Billy Dale Reed
Bobby Scott
Robert Smith
George Stone
Harold Warren (G)
James Wilson (G)
Troy Wilson
Billy Witherspoon
Kenneth Zachry (G)
Orville Louis ______
Grady ______
(G) Graduated from Ashdown High School according to book "Ashdown Graduates 1906-1985"
(compiled by Mrs. C.I. Bowles and Mrs. Ross Henderson, Jr.)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
When I started teaching in January 1945, monthly teachers' meetings were held on the last Thursday afternoon, or evening, at the high school. The teachers at the wing schools were expected to attend.
At that time, Lucille Thrash was teaching all six grades at Hicks; Rose Caler and Theara Clark were at Fomby; the Wilton teachers were Sue McCray, Annie Jean Hedgecock, and Mrs. Arlie Johnson; Ben Lomond teachers were Mrs. Alice Zachery and Mrs. Louise Polk. (Ogden's High School students were being transported to Ashdown, also.)
The Ashdown Elementary faculty consisted of two first grade teachers: Lila Phillips and Christine Sanderson; one second grade teacher; one third grade teacher, Esther Collins; there was an over-flow room upstairs with twelve second graders and twelve third graders - Irene Russell was the teacher. Ruth Lambright was the fourth grade teacher; the fifth grade teacher was Mrs. J.L. Hiler; Mary Russell Herndon taught the sixth grade. Their rooms were also upstairs.
In 1945 I had forty-one students in my room (twelve had already been put in the overflow room). When I retired in May 1976, I had thirty pupils -- fifteen girls and fifteen boys. There were six second grade teachers by that time.
(From Irene Pauley's book "Teaching Memories of Irene Pauley")
GIRLS ~~~~~~~~~ 1945 - 1946
Nancy Barr (G)
Sue Buster (G)
Mary Gin Cobb (G)
Emma Jo Cowling
Linda Cunningham (G)
Dorothy Faulkner
Eva Lou Ford (G)
Kay Grounds (G)
Johnnie Ross Henderson (G)
* Carolyn Sue Jewell (G)
Nora Jones
* Clydine Johnson (G)
Eddie Ann Johnson
* Jan Johnson (G)
Peggy Leathers
Arlene Merrell
Mary Lou Owens
Shirley Pierce
* Jean Propps (G)
* Patsy Reed
Nora Lee Rickman
Norma Jean Ritter (G)
Leila Russell
Jane Stewart
* Anna Jean Tallant (G)
1945 - 1946 ~~~~~~~~~~ BOYS
* Melton Bailey
* Tommy Bass
Roy Bishop
Toy Bishop (G)
* Erwin Bowman
Ben Clayton
Ronald Cobb (died 4/9/1998)
* Billy Dorflinger
Volley Wade Ford
Thurman Frady (died 7/1991)
* Jackie Freer
Lloyd Gentry
Lesley Hampton
David Henderson
Joe Thomas Holt
Dickie King (G)
Joe Bob Matthews
Wayne McCollum (G)
Harold McDougal (G)
* Harlie Patterson
Jimmy Dale Reed
Ralph Tiffin (G)
Floyd Tucker
John Walker
George Williams
Ernest ______
* After first 6 weeks these students were put in Eva Merrell's Overflow Room.
(G) Graduated from Ashdown High School according to book "Ashdown Graduates 1906-1985"
(compiled by Mrs. C.I. Bowles and Mrs. Ross Henderson, Jr.)
The first school lunchroom was ready for operation at the beginning of school in September 1945. Before that time, many of the children who lived near school went home for lunch. Others brought lunches -- would eat on the playground in pretty weather -- in the basement at other times. The new lunchroom was located in the basement of the building. There was room for the children and teachers to eat at the same time. In my second grade, we had what we called "The Clean Plate Club." When a child "cleaned" his or her plate, it was shown to me. Later, stars would be placed by their names on a chart in the room.
The 1945-46 elementary school faculty: Principal, E.S. Jennings; 1st grade, Christine Sanderson and Lucille Thrash; 2nd grade, Irene Pauley; 3rd grade, Esther Collins; 2nd and 3rd grade's overflow room, Eva Merrell; 4th grade, Mildred Ross; 5th grade, Ora Dildy; 6th grade, Artie Cooper.
(From Irene Pauley's book "Teaching Memories of Irene Pauley")
Lois Ayers (G)
Margaret Ann Bass (G)
Carolyn Brock
Patsy Cain
Katie Lee Casey
Martha Neal Coulter (G)
Bobbie Ann Davis (G)
Ila Fay Dunn (G)
Billie Sue Guthrie
Dorothy Holloway
Carolyn Price
Linda Marie Stone
Carol Tyler
Jerrie Wilson (G)
Louise ______
1946 - 1947 ~~~~~~~~~~ BOYS
Mike Ashby
Kenneth Bass (G)
John Cannon
James Castleman
Jimmie Clements
Walter Ray Cowling (G)
Bobby Dodson
Bobby Gore
Leon Greathouse
Jessie Hendon
Charles Hyatt
Tommy Jester (G)
Kenneth Livingstone
James Patterson (G)
Charles Ray
James Ray
George Ross (G)
Roy Sewell
Troy Sewell
Larry Sykes
Harold Taylor
Russell Taylor
Jimmy Walraven (G)
Roy Wilson
Donald ______
(G) Graduated from Ashdown High School according to book "Ashdown Graduates 1906-1985"
(compiled by Mrs. C.I. Bowles and Mrs. Ross Henderson, Jr.)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The 1946-1947 elementary school faculty: Principal, E.S. Jennings; 1st grade, Christine Sanderson and Lucille Thrash; 2nd grade, Irene Pauley; 3rd grade, Eva Merrell (replaced Esther Collins (who had moved to Little Rock); 2nd and 3rd overflow room, Rose Caler (previously taught at Fomby wing school); 4th grade, Laverne Finley, who replaced Mildred Ross (married Claude Jr. Franks); 5th grade, Ora Dildy; 6th grade, Artie Cooper; Piano teacher, Judith Ann Chappelle, who replaced Mr. Lee Siebert who had moved to Texarkana.
On April 24, 1947 -- three of my pupils, Bobbie Ann Davis, Jerrie Wilson, and Billie Sue Guthrie and I helped to celebrate Martha Neal Coulter's birthday by eating lunch at the home of Dr. and Mrs. J.W. Coulter. Mrs. Coulter came for us at noon -- had us back at school at 1:00 P.M. We all had a good time.
On Thursday at 7:30 P.M., May 8, 1947 -- Mrs. O.T. Graves' pupils presented a speech recital in the elementary school auditorium. Three of my pupils, Bobbie Ann Davis, Billie Sue Guthrie, and John Cannon took part in it. Former pupils were Ronald Cobb, Wayne McCollum, Reggie Kennedy, Jon Dellinger, Linda Kay Cunninghamn, Norma Jean Adams, Bea Root and Kay Grounds.
(From Irene Pauley's book "Teaching Memories of Irene Pauley")
GIRLS ~~~~~~~~~ 1947 - 1948
Annette Adkison (G)
Patsy Ruth Burns
Fannie Cain (G)
Sarah Jane Davis (G)
Patricia Dempsey
Dorothy Durham
Beulah Ford (died 5/2004)
Gelene Hardin (G)
Barbara Ann Houchen (G)
Mary Howard
Sue Jester (G)
Elaine Krueger
Marilyn Orton (G)
Hazel Patterson
Patsy Ritter (G)
Connie Trammell (G)
Helen ______
1947 - 1948 ~~~~~~~~~~ BOYS
Eddie Ayers (G)
Teddie Ayers (G)
James Aylor (G)
Boyd ______
Dale Booth
Willard Booth
Harold Brown (G)
Jackie Clary
Kenneth Coleman (G)
Lawrence Deaton
Billy ______
Bennie Gore
Jerry Harris
Lester Lee Hill (G)
Edward ______
Raymond Krueger
David ______
Charles Rickman
Jimmy ______
Tommy Waddell (G)
Gary Wilson (G)
James Wilson
Joel ______
(G) Graduated from Ashdown High School according to 1958 edition of The Panther Eyes yearbook and also from book "Ashdown Graduates 1906-1985" (compiled by Mrs. C.I. Bowles and Mrs. Ross Henderson, Jr.)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
At 7:45 P.M., Thursday, May 6, 1948, a "Tiny Tot Wedding" was presented at the elementary school auditorium by pupils of Mrs. O.T. Graves. The cast: Bride -- Sue Jester; Groom -- Jerry Atchley (son of the pastor of the First Methodist Church); Maid of Honor -- Alice Ann Henderson; Bridesmaids -- Jane Bentley, Daisy Dean Cook, Martha Kay Pauley and Dianne Simmons; Flower Girls -- Sue Davis and Suzanne Owens; Best Man -- Eric Bishop; Ushers -- Allen Garrett, Gale Gill, Brodie Patterson, Larry Propps, and Harlen Sexton; Minister -- Jim Pauley; Father of the Bride -- Johnny Bone.
After the wedding, there were readings by the following: Charles Henry Phillips, Jimmy and Wayne McCollum, Ronald Cobb, Joe Jewell, Thomas McDowell, W.L. (Sonny) Davis, Ed Stevens, Johnnie Ross Henderson, Dorothy Ash, Bea Root, Carolyn Sue Jewell, Billie Sue Guthrie and Bobbie Ann Davis. Tap dancers were Mary Murphy Coulter and Ellen Rea Tye.
(From Irene Pauley's book "Teaching Memories of Irene Pauley")
GIRLS ~~~~~~~~~ 1948 - 1949
Jane Bentley (G)
Myra Cain (G)
Daisy Dean Cook (G)
Catherine Ann Grounds (G)
Alice Ann Henderson (G)
Ann Hinton (G)
Norma Jean Hoover (G)
Errol Jean Simmons (G)
Janet Sue Stansbury
Wynell Walraven (G)
Stella ______
1948 - 1949 ~~~~~~~~~~ BOYS
James Ash
Jerry Atchley
Claud Barr
Eric Bishop
Johnny Bone (G)
Billy Brown
Wendell Bryant
Jimmie Cowart
Lavon Dodson
Billy Dumas (G)
Gale Gill (G)
Wilford Grooms
Leslie Johnson
Robert Ellis Keener (G)
Phillip Locke
Brodie Patterson (G)
Robert Raley
Nolen Reed
Curtis Russell (died 9/1993)
Jimmy Sutton (G)
Billy Wilson
Billy W_____
(G) Graduated from Ashdown High School according to the 1959 edition of The Panther Eyes yearbook and also from book "Ashdown Graduates 1906-1985" (compiled by Mrs. C.I. Bowles and Mrs. Ross Henderson, Jr.)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I had 10 girls and 22 boys. There was no school library at that time. I carried books from home. Some of the children brought books. I always read to them just after lunchtime -- sometimes I would "catch myself dozing!" The children probably did, also.
Usually in the spring, some afternoon, we would walk to the public library which was located upstairs in the community building. Some of the mothers would go also for we had to cross several streets. Mrs. Burlingame was the librarian when we first started going. After a few years, she retired. Then Myrt Thrash and her mother, Mrs. Grace Hoover, took the job.
The children learned how to check out books -- hoping that their parents would take them to the library. The librarians knew when to expect us and served refreshments. Myrt or I would read a story or two to the children. They always "loved" the trip to the library! The next day, "thank-you" notes would be written by the children.
(From Irene Pauley's book "Teaching Memories of Irene Pauley")
GIRLS ~~~~~~~~~ 1949 - 1950
Ruby Ayers (G)
Mary Ellen Brock
Brenda Cannon
Charlotte Cowling (G)
Patricia Dawson
Patty Fawcett (G)
Betty Gail Gentry (G)
Shirley Hill (G)
Peggy Pearl Patterson (G)
Nancy C. Reynolds
Juanita Richman
Kay Sexton
Shirley Stinson
Sue Taylor
Mary Ann ______
Joan ______
1949 - 1950 ~~~~~~~~~~ BOYS
Ferrel Adkison (G)
Marion Ayers (G)
Edd Barr (G)
Dale Beck
Leo Beck (G)
John Robert Castleman (G)
Dan Chilcoat
Marvin Cooper
James Edward Dowling
Harold Dunn (G)
Donald Ford
Jerry Gabbard
Carl Hill
Don Richard Johnston (G)
Bernard Ray Keener (G)
Jimmie Kingery
Richard Coker Thomas
John Ray Welch (G)
Rufus Witherspoon
Billy ______
(G) Graduated from Ashdown High School according to book "Ashdown Graduates 1906-1985"
(compiled by Mrs. C.I. Bowles and Mrs. Ross Henderson, Jr.)
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ashdown Elementary School Faculty: Principal E.S. Jennings; 1st grade, Christine Sanderson, Lucille Thrash and Mable Sessions (her room was in the basement); 2nd grade, Irene Pauley; 3rd grade, Eva Merrell; 2nd and 3rd grade overflow room, Rose Caler; 4th grade, Mrs. Leo Beck; 5th grade, Valda Jordan; 6th grade, Artie Cooper; Secretary, Susie Spigner. Mr. Moak started making group pictures.
On November 10th, during American Education Week, "The Cavalcade of America" was presented at the Ashdown Elementary School Auditorium during the 7:30 P.M. PTA meeting -- the president, Mrs. J.W. Coulter, presided.
The program consisted of several parts depicting the early days in America through the time of the civil war ... The Indians; the landing of Columbus; the pilgrims; the buying of Manhattan from the Indians; Paul Revere's Ride. (Mable Sessions, 1st grade teacher, constructed the horse ... James Patterson was Paul Revere); the civil war; Abraham Lincoln. Lots of children took part in the program and many of the parents helped by making costumes and in many other ways.
(From Irene Pauley's book "Teaching Memories of Irene Pauley")
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