NOTE: In last week’s column, a picture of Carolina School’s 1933 basketball team along with their coach was shown. Only one player, Bill Bass, who is kneeling with basketball, has been identified. Anyone who can name any of the other players or the coach is requested to contact Curtis Thomasson at any of the addresses below.

 

The history of Carolina School is continued today with the presentation of a couple of pictures, which were taken during the 1945-1946 and 1946-1947 school years.

The first is a group picture of the sixth-grade class in 1945-1946, which was taught by Mrs. Lillian Martin. It was made with the students standing in front of the south entrance. Front Row, left to right: Margaret Suggs, Knovice Bundrick Barfoot, Donald Garvin, Roger Riley, Rex Helms, Lois Grimes, Mollie Bell Ziglar, Audie Mae Adams Thomasson, Opal Bradley. Second Row: ?, ?, ?, Glen Love, Wyatt Glisson, Kenneth Maddox, Vivian Henderson, Charles Thomasson. Third Row: Billy Max Wilson, ? Leonard, Gene Windham, Darrell Wiggins, Billy Stokes. Back Row: Ruth Nelson, Grace Wise, Cary Mae Little, Mrs. Lillian Martin (teacher), ?, Jeanette Merrill, Doris DeLoach, Barbara Ann Cremer.

The second picture is a group of seventh and eighth grade boys representing the basketball team for what is believed to be the 1946-47 year. In the front row from left to right are Randal Stokes, Marcus Kelley, Charles Thomasson, Jack Stokes, Rhett Riley, and Thomas Fuqua. Standing in back are Roger Riley, ?, (Edward Bulger ?), Donald Garvin and Gene Jacobs. (Anyone who is able to name the two unknowns is requested to contact this writer.)

The class record books for the Carolina teachers during 1946-47 and 1947-48, which are filed at the Covington County Board of Education offices, were reviewed by this writer. The following information was found: In 1946, Mrs. Lorene Burke Corley taught the first grade, with 19 boys and 11 girls. Mrs. Alice Duggan taught the second grade with 12 boys and 14 girls. Mrs. Missouri Wiggins taught the third grad with 16 boys and 17 girls. Mrs. Bessie Cross taught the fourth grade with 10 boys and 20 girls. Ms. Carolyn Ingram taught the fifth grade with 10 boys and 20 girls. Mrs. Lillian D. Martin taught the sixth grade with 15 boys and 10 girls. Mrs. Elizabeth R. Pelham taught the seventh grade with 10 boys and 14 girls. Mr. J.A. Johnson taught the eighth grade with 12 boys and 17 girls. He also served as principal for the school.

During the 1947-1948 school year, Mrs. Lorene Burke Corley taught the first grade with 19 boys and 11 girls. Mrs. Alice Duggan taught the second grade for the last time as she retired at the end of the year. She had 14 boys and 5 girls. During a period of illness for her, Mrs. James H. (Monrie) Register substituted for several weeks. Mrs. Missouri Wiggins taught the third grade with 7 boys and 16 girls. Mrs. Bessie Cross taught the fourth grade with 19 boys and 14 girls. Miss Carolyn Ingram taught the fifth grade with 11 boys and 22 girls. Mrs. Gwendolyn M. Wilson taught the sixth grade with 18 boys and 14 girls. Mrs. Lillian D. Martin taught the seventh grade with 14 boys and 10 girls. Mr. Hugh D. Wilson served as principal and taught the eighth grade with 12 boys and 15 girls.

From this point the narrative will focus on the class entering Carolina School in the fall of 1946, which is this writer’s first grade year. He will switch to first person so he will be able to share some history and memories from a more personal perspective.

The sources for today’s writing include the teachers’ class record books for selected years and memories of several former students.

Anyone who may find an error in the above history or who might have additional information to share regarding Carolina School is requested to contact this writer, Curtis Thomasson, at 20357 Blake Pruitt Road, Andalusia, AL 36420; 334-804-1442; or Email: cthomasson@centurytel.net.