ASI People

 

A TRIBUTE TO MISS NEWSOME

Miss Nannie Newsome was born on a farm, the eighth child of Summer and Mildred Newsome, on May 15, 1893, near the (then) small town of Ahoskie, in northeastern North Carolina.

She received her education from Ahoskie High School and four colleges: Chowan, Meredith, Wake Forest, and Carson-Newman, from which she graduated with a B.A. Degree.

She was converted at age fifteen.  Somewhat late in life she received the call to do mission work in China.  Preparation was made at the WMU Training School in Louisville, Kentucky (now Southern Baptist Theological Seminary), from which she received the Bachelor of Missionary Training degree.  However, because of financial difficulties, the Foreign Mission Board was unable to send her as a missionary.

Miss Newsome did do mission work – mountain missions, beginning with South Mountain Institute of Golden Valley, Rutherford County, where she was the housemother and teacher.  Two years later, in 1927, she came to Union Mills to do a similar work.  Her load be-came so heavy that in 1946 she built a small house off the school campus and gave up her work as a housemother.  Eleven years later she retired from teaching.

She has been a leader at Round Hill Church through the years: Superintendent of Junior Department in Sunday School, a leader in Training Union, president  of the Missionary Society, and director of the Adult Sunday School Department, to mention a few.

“She is one of the greatest Christian women in our church and the very best to visit shut-ins. 

Miss Newsome has meant much, both to this community and especially to the many students whom she has taught in the school at Union Mills and those who lived in her dormitory, many of whom were taught the first Christian principles ever in their lives.  Those who have known her proclaim her faithfulness to God, which says it all.”             (Arnold Keck)

 

“As the brown Plymouth goes by, you may be sure she is on her way to spread sunshine for someone.  Just like ‘Ole Man River’ which keeps on rolling, she keeps on visiting and thinking of others and what she can do for them.  Miss Newsome is there where she is needed.  Certainly God has reserved a choice place for her.  May he continue to bless and keep her.”                                                                                                                    (V.T. Cooper)

 

“She had been a big influence on my life in teaching me the Christian life.  She made our church aware of missions.”             (Robert Koon)

 

“These thoughts express my feelings about a dedicated Christian witness – Miss Nannie Newsome.

N – New methods do not dampen her spirit as she tackles them with zest.

E – Enthusiasm is shown as she undertakes necessary tasks.

W – Willing to do her share in church, school, and community.

S – Shows her concern for others by visiting the sick and shut-ins.

O – Overflowing with love and tender care for plants and flowers to beautify God’s house.

M – Missionary at heart.

E – Extra efforts given for mission work in Round Hill Church and Green River Association.

Submitted with humility and love                                                                            (Mrs. Ben Barnette)

 

MISS FLORENCE REID

 

 

Miss Florence Reid came to Alexander Schools in 1930.  For the next twenty-two years her life was dedicated to serving students at the school.  In a quiet, graceful, and dignified manner she influenced the lives of hundreds of boys and girls through teaching and example.  Truly, her life was a perfect example for young lives to observe and be associated with.  Florence Reid’s Christian influence on so many people over the years stands as an everlasting monument to her sterling character and firm commitment to being a Christian and serving her church.  She was very active in all aspects of her beloved church, serving as a teacher of the ladies’ adult class for many years.

Miss Reid attended Appalachian State Teachers College, Kings Business College, Asheville Normal and Teachers College,  Lenoir Rhyne, Bowling Green Business University, and the University of North Carolina.  At Alexander Schools she taught typing, shorthand, bookkeeping, and other general business courses.  She was known as a teacher who could keep strict discipline in class without raising her voice.

Miss Reid’s pleasant smile and reserved, but cheerful, disposition will always be an inspiration to all who knew her.

                                        (Lennon Clements)

 

LENNON CLEMENTS

The above writer (Lennon Clements), reared in the Camp Creek area of Rutherford County, graduated from Alexander Schools in 1947.  The next day, without further training in Business other than what Miss Reid gave him here, he took a position in the bookkeeping department of Union Trust Company bank in Rutherfordton. 

His first promotion was to be made a teller, and then he was made assistant cashier.  His next promotion in ’61 was to that of Cashier.  Only a year did he hold that office before the Citizen Federal Savings and Loan Association was organized and he became Executive Vice President, which office he holds today.

The Savings and Loan needed a new building with more room, and Lennon was made responsible for constructing such.  He moved to a new location up N. Main Street where they have a commodious building and sufficient parking area.  Alexander Schools is proud of this “son,” for he is not only an active, efficient business man, but he is as much in his church and community.  He serves many capacities in each of these areas.  He is always friendly and sympathetic if you need sympathy or help of any sort.

 

 

V. T. COOPER

 

Mr. V. T. Cooper of Alabama came to Union Mills in 1936 to teach Vocational Agriculture at Alexander Schools, Inc.  He and his wife first lived across from the Morgan store.  They later bought and remodeled the Dr. Dillard home place and have lived there since that time.

      The Coopers have a family of four sons and two daughters, all of whom were born in Union Mills except the older one, Stanley.  All of these finished the high school here and are now scattered all the way from Japan to New York, except Dianne, the youngest, who is doing practice teaching at this writing in Boiling Springs, N. C.

Mr. Cooper has faithfully served his school, community, and church since he came to Union Mills.  During these years, he has worked with FFA Clubs, Community Development programs, the Grange, and Union Mills Volunteer Fire Department.  He has influenced several young men to teach in his chosen field.

Mr. Cooper has been a faithful member of Round Hill Baptist Church, having served as Sunday school superintendent for 25 years.  He has led a Training Union, taught the older group of youth in Sunday school, and served as deacon many times.

His guidance, outstanding deeds, and kindness have been a powerful force for good in Union Mills community.  Though he retired in 1974, he is still in service for community, school, and church.

 

 

A TRIBUTE TO MRS. PEARL BARNETTE

 

 

While a student in Mrs. Barnette’s class eighteen years ago, I discovered a wonderful teacher whose patience, kindness, and understanding helped me immensely.  In her quiet and unassuming way, she has made many contributions to her church, school, and community.  She has given freely of her time to help anyone in need.

She will never know how many lives she has influenced for good.  A part of her is instilled in everyone she has taught and known.  To list all of her qualities would be impossible.  She is one of the finest persons that I have ever known.

                                         (Horace Whisnant)

                                                                           

 

MISS MARY GRIGSBY

 

 

Alexander Schools has a rich heritage of outstanding, dedicated teachers.  Of these, none seem to me to be greater than Mary Grigsby.

Many times in the 1940’s I heard Miss Grigsby say: “You chillun are my second choice, the African chillun were my first choice.”

Having felt God’s call to be a missionary to Africa, Miss Grigsby prepared herself for this work.  She graduated from Georgetown Baptist College and the W.M.U. Training School in Louisville, Kentucky.  However, through circumstances which she could not control, Miss Grigsby never had the opportunity to work with the African “chillun.”  Instead, in 1927, she found herself teaching Bible at Alexander Schools in Union Mills, North Carolina.  She soon realized that God had a very definite place for her here, and she found a deep satisfaction in her work with the students at Alexander Schools. 

Long before the Surgeon-general of the United States of America announced the link between cigarettes and cancer, Miss Grigsby gave a chapel talk each year on the harmful effects of cigarettes.  She was concerned for all the students she came in contact with.  We students knew she was a friend.  She was ready to listen to problems, to help out in difficulties, and to counsel us in our dilemmas.  She brought out the best in everyone. She encouraged; she upbraided with never an unkind word.

Miss Grigsby was a little slip of a woman often describing herself as “not weighing ninety pounds soaking wet.”  Her appearance was deceptive, for she carried a full teaching load, took an active part in her church, and for many years was a housemother for the oldest girls’ dormitory.  Her years at Alexander Schools were long and happy ones.  When she retired in 1956, she continued to be an influence for good as she remained active in her community and church.

In 1972, Miss Grigsby went home to be with the Lord she so faithfully served.  However, her spirit is not dead.  As one of her former students said: “Miss Grigsby lives in every sermon I preach.”

In my own family, my youngest daughter, Marianne, is a constant reminder of her influence on my life, and I pray that Marianne will grow up to be like the woman for whom she is named.

 

W. A. SMITH

     

One of the favorite teachers and coaches in the early days of the school was W. Aiken Smith who was born and reared near Pauline, Spartanburg County, S.C., on a farm.  He attended a one-teacher rural school for the first five grades.  After the consolidation of schools, he attended Pauline Public School.  He always got joy out of doing something for others.  This desire led him to go to college though the family had to be consulted and plans made.  He entered Furman University in September, 1923, where he met Willie Sweatt who, after he was made superintendent of Alexander Schools, expresses a desire to have Mr. Smith work with him where he would have plenty of opportunity to help those in need.  Consequently in August of 1929, he came to Union Mills where his dream could be realized.  He was elected Assistant Superintendent and teacher.  Within two years there was great need for a coach, for the student body had increased from 125 to 240.  He was made coach and thus set about to improve the ball field so students could play.

In 1931, a gymnasium was started and completed the next year.  “It is known that the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent planned and had constructed from 1929 to 1939 three cottages for children, one large central dining hall and kitchen, the gymnasium, and improved the campus by planning for walks and driveways, as well as beautification of campus by sowing grass and planting shrubbery and setting trees.”

During the spring of 1939, Mr. Smith decided to attend summer school at Appalachian State Teachers College for further study in social work as well as planned to enter the field of public school work.  The previous vocation at Alexander Schools had been very confining, and most of his young manhood had been confined to the Home there.  At summer school, he met the district supervisor for the Farm Security Administration, United States Department of Agriculture.  In September he began work as Assistant Supervisor for the county for this agency.  This was another field in which he could help people in need.  During August, 1940, he was promoted to County F.S.A. work in Watauga and Avery Counties where he remained until 1950.

When in this area he met a young, attractive widow who was a nurse.  She had one daughter.  They were married and have had a happy wedded life.  This couple became parents of a son and a daughter.

In 1950 he was approached by a group of representatives from the North Carolina Baptist Orphanage at Kinston, N. C. and was offered the position of Superintendent of a branch of the state Orphanage.  Mr. Sweatt was asked to influence Mr. Smith if he could.  This he did and insisted he go back into child care work and stay there.  After much prayer and consideration, he and his wife decided to accept this offer, and they were elected on July 6, 1950.  They moved in a few weeks and assumed the work on August 1, 1950. This new work was a big task, for, in addition to the usual activities, he had a 1250 acre farm to supervise and a dairy and beef herd as well.  Hence all of his work in such fields came into use again.

Mrs. Smith was made nurse for the children, and improvements were made on the building she would occupy.  The cottages were given new coats of paint inside, and three of them were repainted on the outside.  Other improvements were made including walks from each cottage to the drive.  He also made a double tennis court on the campus and improvements of the baseball field, the play ground and a filter plant at the swimming pool.  Mr. Smith employed a band director and had a band organized with about twenty children.  He also planned a study hall for older boys.  A room was built at the end of the gymnasium to be used as a classroom, band room, and group meetings such as R. A., G. A., etc.

He saw the need for a new church building and led the church and trustees in providing that, for he believed the church must come first for any individual to further enable him to live a richer and fuller life for their Master and Lord.  A pastorium was also built later.  He led in providing a new swimming pool for the children.  Other improvements were made which I shall not mention.

The Smiths retired in August, 1967, after seventeen very fruitful years at Kennedy Home.  They now live near Linwood, N. C. in a rural area, but they have a lovely home.  He is still a Sunday school teacher in his church and, in other ways, is still contributing to the work of helping people.

 

GRACE CRAIG LEE

 

Grace was a community student, but she spent some time along with her brother, Garth, in our dormitory.  After graduating from Alexander, she entered the Nurse’s Training School at Rutherford Hospital.  After graduating there, she did post-graduate work in the Cook County Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago.  She then returned to the staff of Rutherford Hospital as instructor.

About that time she married Mr. Clyde Lee, but he did not live many years.  He left her with one child, Eddie Lee, who is now married and lives near his mother.

After giving up the instructor’s work at the hospital, she went to Florida where she was connected with a Training School.  From there she went to Asheville and took work.  Upon her return to Rutherfordton she was made superintendent of the hospital school of nursing.  Her next study was in Florida State where she received her B. S. degree in Nursing, and after serving as Educational Director in the Rowan Memorial Hospital in Salisbury, N. C., she earned her Masters Degree in Nursing in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  After working a short time in Rockingham, she moved to Harrisburg, Pa., and worked as Educational Director.

Being interested in moving the nurses’ training schools into colleges, where nurses could earn an associate degree, she helped promote that in R. C. Hospital, and finally their training school was moved to Gardner Webb College in Boiling Springs, and she is the teacher.  Upon graduation from Gardner Webb, nurses now are given a degree in nursing.  There are twenty such schools at present in North Carolina nationally accredited.

 

 

VIVIAN GREEN DAVIS

 

Mr. and Mrs. Will Blanton of Caroleen came to live in Union Mills in 1926, bringing with them Mrs. Blanton’s niece, Vivian Green, who entered the high school of Alexander Schools, then a private institution. Before many months the Blanton’s left the little town, but Vivian stayed behind to enter the boarding department of the school.  Here she remained until her graduation in1930.

September of that year found her enrolling as a student of Georgetown College in Kentucky.  After two years there, she pursued her education in Limestone College in Gaffney, S. C.  Being musically inclined, she followed that bent in Limestone and fitted herself to teach in that field.  Although she worked to help pay expenses in college, she made a good record in both of them.  During her college days she used Alexander Schools as her home, and in the summers she was given places of responsibility on the campus helping to care for the children as regular workers took vacations.  Always she proved worthy of the trust imposed in her and caused the workers as well as the superintendent to place utmost confidence in her.

After her graduation, she came back to campus as a teacher of English and Chorus, in which work she rendered valuable service.  She likewise assumed places of responsibility in the church as Training Union Director and a teacher in Sunday school.  Her musical ability was especially helpful, for she knew how to work with young people to render programs as well as lead in congregational singing.

Before long, a single young pastor came to Round Hill Church, and at once he was attracted to the young musician and teacher, who accepted his attention.  Consequently in May of 1942, Vivian Green became the bride of Rev. Len E. Davis of Kershaw, S.C.  In the summer of the following year they moved to Midlothian, Va.  There Vivian used her music ability much in the church and in other ways the couple developed the church.  There she greatly promoted the WMU work of the women in the church.

Mr. Davis’ health gave way, and he had to give up the ministry after they moved to Richmond.  He found a light work, and she began to teach again.  They have two daughters, one of whom is married.  The other is doing Christian work in Nashville, Tenn.

Vivian loves her Alma Mater and visits it at every opportunity.  She has served two years as an officer in the alumni association, and has contributed financially to the support of the institution.

 

 

WOODROW P. FOUNTAIN

 

Woodrow Fountain came to the school at the age of twenty to enter the tenth grade.  (At that time high school ended with the eleventh grade.)  He had stayed out of school to allow his younger brother to attend regularly since his father needed the help of one of them in his business.  He came from Savannah, Ga., where he attended the First Baptist Church.  There he was converted at the age of fourteen and soon decided he would be a missionary.  His plan when he entered Alexander was to complete high school, attend a college and seminary, and then follow God’s leadership as to a field of work.  But after he finished high school and attended Wake Forest College for one year, he found it necessary to halt his college work, and he has never gone back.  Instead he went to work for Alexander Schools and in two or three years married another student there, Evelyn Smith from Tarboro.  During the war they moved to Savannah where he learned the trade of electrician.  Later they moved to Rutherfordton, set up an electrical business, and built a home.  They now have four children, all married.

For years Woodrow had a flourishing electrical business, including a store for fixtures, supplies, etc.  He is always rushed.  About five years ago he developed a desire to raise cattle; therefore he bought pasture lands in the county and, turning a big part of the electrical business over to his boys, he puts the most of his time now on cattle raising.

His church membership is in the First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton where he has been a Sunday school teacher full time and part time, and a Training Union Director when we had such.  He was commander of the Boy Scouts, a Kiwanian, and the President of the Merchants Association as well as the Chamber of Commerce.  For some years he was a member of the Board of Trustees of Alexander Schools, and some of that time he was secretary.  At present he is also Director in the Cattleman’s association.

                                                                                                                                  

 

BENNY MAREE

                                                              

In 1930 Bennie Marie of Wadesboro came to school because of the death of his father.  He was one of ten children, and his mother could not support them.  He graduated from ASI in 1933, and in the fall of that year he went to Appalachian State Teachers College where he again graduated in 1937.  A friend (Mr. Sweatt) supplemented the work Bennie did at the college for his expenses.  The young man’s chief interest was in athletics, and he earned a certificate in history and athletics.  Again with the help of Mr. Sweatt, he began teaching that fall at Central High School.  After teaching a few years, and at the same time coaching ball for the school and refereeing elsewhere in various games, he was elected principal of the Ruth Elementary School.  Still he continued his coaching and refereeing.  His next move was back to Central High to become principal.  In 1951 he secured his Master’s degree from the University of North Carolina.  In the fall of ’54 he was made superintendent of the entire system of schools in which his school was.

During his early teaching years, he married the Home Economics teacher at Central High, and now they have three sons, grown and married. 

The usefulness of Benny Maree is shown not only by his good teaching and coaching experiences, but also by the large number of organizations he has helped.  He was a member of the Methodist Church of Rutherfordton where he was the chairman of the Board of Stewards, and for years he taught the adult men’s class in the Sunday school.  He was an active member of the Methodist Fellowship Club, the District Piedmont Scout Council, the Spindale Kiwanis Club, the Rutherford County Club, and was chairman of the County Crippled Children’s Association as well as the county First Aid of the Red Cross.

For about seven years he was a trustee of his alma mater, Alexander Schools, and for three years of that time he was chairman of the group.

A few years ago, he moved to Brevard,              N. C. and at present heads the school there.

 

 

MRS. GUY THOMPSON

 

Born Hattie Hensley on September 5, 1941, in the Piney Knob community (“seven miles down the county and across the crik”), Mrs. Guy Thompson has been a fixture on the ASI campus for over twenty-three years. 

In her capacity as Dietician and Lunch Room Supervisor for most of these years, Mrs. Thompson has been a factor and favorite person in the lives of a major portion of the students, faculty, and staff who have passed through ASI.

Though he is not herself a graduate of ASI, her husband, Guy Thompson, was a graduate of the class of 1933, and their daughter, Eloise, was a graduate in the class of 1960.

It was quite by chance that Mrs. Thompson became associated with the kitchen of ASI.  In February of 1952, she was one day in the hall of the Administration Building when the then Dietician, Mrs. Abernathy, was there voicing her need for help in the kitchen since she would have to be away from the school for a few days because of her daughter’s illness.  Mrs. Thompson volunteered to help out in any way she could.  Since that time, she has been a part of the ASI kitchen scene, first part-time and then full-time, for Mrs. Abernathy soon left the school permanently.

Mrs. Thompson is a member of Round Hill Baptist Church.  Her hobbies are knitting, quilting, and, one would suspect, serving outstanding dinners to the ASI Alumni Association meeting each August (for more than a few, I fear, the meal rather than the business meeting is the highlight of the reunion).

 

 

VIRGINIA McCURRY OWENS

 

For twenty-four years, since June 15, 1951, Mrs. Virginia Owens has served ASI as THE cook.  From the skills of her hands, the depths of her knowledge, and the love in her heart, she has given of herself to the School and, especially, the students.  (She has a knack for turning out delectable dishes).

Her late husband, Mr. Mills Owens, was the long-time custodian and a bus driver for ASI, having joined the school in February, 1952.  The Owens family has three children – Lewis, Robert, and Ronnie – and six grandchildren.  Mrs. Owens is a member of the Mount Pleasant CME Church of Union Mills, and her hobby is cooking.

This sketch of Mrs. Owens is brief, owing to her reluctance to talk about herself, as befits her modest nature.  Suffice it to say, however, that few of the staff and faculty that have come and gone in these twenty-four years are remembered with more love and affection than “Virginia.”

 

 

BILL STALLINGS

 

Bill Stallings was reared in Union Mills and graduated with his sister, Elizabeth, in 1937.  Two years later he began work with the Union Trust Company bank in Rutherfordton as a runner.  He worked there for eight years and was made a teller in the meantime.  Then he was sent to the Union Trust Company in Spindale where he worked sixteen years.  While there he was made assistant cashier and then cashier.  After he left Spindale he went back to Rutherfordton and was made Vice President and Trust Officer.  At the present he still holds these positions and has for twelve years.

In his civic life he is president of the Rotary Club and a member of the Kiwanis Club.  He served with the fire department thirty-five years and is now Captain.  He also served on the county school board for twelve years, and now is serving as an elder in the Presbyterian Church of Spindale.

Bill is frequently called on to present plaques or other honors for clubs.  He is a good public speaker and does his work well whatever he attempts.

 

 

AARON D. BOGGS

 

My friendship with Aaron Boggs goes back 35 or more years when as a small boy came to live in Alexander Schools, Inc.  However, I did not know him well until he entered high school and enrolled in some of my classes.  Aaron was endowed with personality and commitment in measure equal to brain and sinew.  He showed many fine characteristics both in personal appearance, in love and helpfulness to others, dependable in work, faithful in school assignments, and, in short, he demonstrated a high sense of moral attributes.  In dress he was as clean and neat as a pin.  His papers were neat and easy to correct.  His mind was good and he could recall facts for reciting or written lessons.  But he would get bothered if time ran out and he hadn’t completed his examination.  Hurry meant disaster to him!  He – like many – liked plenty of time to write down what he knew.

Honesty, integrity, dependability have been virtues in Aaron’s life since I first knew him.  It was a joy when professed Jesus as his Savior and joined Round Hill Baptist Church.  Having been helpful in the school, he then showed his trustworthiness in leadership in his church.  He was faithful in church attendance and in all the activities of the church.  Later in Charlotte, where he lives he joined his church choir and enjoyed singing.

As a U.S. Postman in Charlotte, N. C., Aaron has made many friends and is known as “the Singing Postman.”  He has a wholesome, contagious laugh and is a favorite personality in any crowd.          (Mrs. Mell George Sweatt)

 

 

EVELYN KRAUSE MOSS

 

Evelyn Krause is another student of whom Alexander Schools is very proud.  She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Krause of Union Mills community.  At the age of sixteen she finished high school in 1948 with creditable grades, but her greater interest was music.  She was a pupil of Miss Gertrude Tucker and was one of the very few who gave a piano recital before graduation.  This recital received wide proclaim.  She was also a member of the school chorus.

After graduation from high school, Evelyn attended Gardner Webb Junior College as it was then.  There she met her future husband, Zeb Moss, who was also a freshman and who later became a ministerial student.  Upon graduation from there, Evelyn went to Meredith College, and Zeb went to Wake Forest College in its last two years before it was moved from Wake Forest to Winston Salem.  Immediately upon its removal, the buildings were used as a Theological Seminary.

In July after this couple finished college, they were married in Round Hill Baptist Church.  In the fall he went back to Wake Forest to the Seminary and she took a position as teacher in the city school.  Here she was outstanding in her teaching and received honors.  Her music also came into play, for she used it in the church as well as with private pupils.  While at Wake Forest, their first child was born, a daughter whom they named Lynn.

Zeb’s first field of service was in Mobile, Alabama as assistant pastor of the Dauphin Way Church.  There Evelyn used her music to great advantage.  They stayed in Mobile until they received a call to Caroleen Baptist Church where they spent three years of service.  While there they received a call to do foreign missions work, and they yielded to the call.  In this church at Caroleen Evelyn gained the love and respect of the people.  She worked hard in the Woman’s Missionary Society and with the girls in Girls Auxiliary organization.  These women and girls practically fell at her feet and still remember her in a tangible way.

Their second daughter was born while they were in Caroleen, and these two girls are their only children.

After much preparation under the Baptist Foreign Mission Board, this couple went to Northern Rhodesia as their first field of service in Africa.  Evelyn was quite successful there working with the women.  As she did all the work she could, she studied the Bemba language, which meant hard work for the entire family.

A term of service in Africa is three years.  When they came home for furlough, Evelyn was in much demand as speaker for local societies and gatherings such as associational meetings and conventions.  Wherever she went she was loved.

At the close of their furlough of a year, they went back to Africa – this time to Zambia.  While in this field Lynn finished high school and came back to the states alone to attend Mars Hill College.  Two years later the family came again for furlough and upon their return were moved to a different country.  This time they went to Blantyre, Malawi.  There the people seemed so well satisfied that they did not want outsiders in their midst.  They had to have a permit from the government to work there.  After waiting several months for this to come, and it did not, they moved to Kenya on the East side of Africa.  Even there they were not able to get their furniture that they had left in Zambia when they came home for furlough because it had to cross some line that was not permissible.  Therefore Zeb went and sold their entire household furnishings, piano, and even his car.  This was a severe blow to give up the things she had used and needed now, for she loved them as any woman would.  Neither have they been able to get their clothes, etc. that they shipped from the U. S. last summer before they left here.  Yet Evelyn writes that she is happy in the Lord and is trying to do as the biblical Paul said about himself, “For in whatsoever state I am, therewith be content.”

In Kenya the people speak another language, Swahili; therefore as this article is being written Evelyn is trying to forget Bemba and learn Swahili, which is no easy task.

This is Suzanne’s last year in high school, and she has for three years been in a boarding school especially for missionaries’ children.  At the close of this term she will come to the states for college work.  She is near enough to her mother now for them to visit, but when she leaves, Evelyn will be mostly alone because Zeb travels the most of the time.  Still she braves it all with the utmost courage and consecration.

 

A PARTIAL LIST OF FORMER STUDENTS WHO WORKED WITH THE SCHOOL.

 

Nita Koon, Cleo Barnes Simpson, Creed Nanney, Virginia Green Davis, Woodrow Fountain, Arnold Keck, Russell Little, Tommy Barber, Rex Hargrove, Peggy Nanney St. Clair, Dorothy Conner Young, Clide Tate Lawing, Ruth Tate Kidwell, Don Palmer, Horace Whisnant, Connie Connell, Azylee Guffey White, Naomi Edwards, Boyce Hensley, John Taylor, Lyvonne Vogler, Johnny Vogler, David Troy, Lucille Lloyd, Eugene Scoggin Flack, Eloise Thompson Johnson, Karen Galloway.

 

 

 

 

LIST OF ASI ALUMNI KNOWN TO HAVE ENTERED THE MINISTRY

 

Creed (C.C.) Nanney attended Mars Hill College after graduation here.  He then returned to campus to work and here found his wife, Miss Alice Grant, who had been working here since 1927 with the smallest children.  Soon he yielded to preach and went to Nanjemoy, Maryland, where he served as pastor for several years.  Then he worked in South Carolina in two pastorates before returning to Union Mills where he did supply work for Round Hill Church.

A call from Rehobeth Church took him back to eastern Maryland for a few more years of service.  Now for eight years he has been pastor of Green Hill Church near Rutherfordton.

 

Charles Nanney, half-brother to Creed, came later.  He attended Wake Forest College, and worked in a textile mill for some time during which he took work in State College.  His next move was to the Southern Seminary in Louisville, Ky.  He held a pastorate in Greenville, S. C. where he now serves.

 

Dewey Hodge died only a short time after leaving Alexander Schools. 

His brother, John Hodge, graduated here and from Furman University, Greenville, S, C.  Just before graduation he came back to Round Hill Church and married Miss Vera Witter, whose parents were foreign missionaries.  He served for several years in Virginia and has now retired in Spindale.

 

Zeb Settlemeyer from Forest City has done a notable work and is now a pastor at Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Cherryville, N. C.

 

J. C. Leslie and Mr. West, both from South Carolina, have not kept in touch with us; hence we know little about their work or their whereabouts.

 

Mr. Camp likewise has not kept in touch since Mr. Sweatt’s death.

 

W. A. Walker and Albert Young were both from Marion.  Mr. Walker became a good pastor and public speaker.

Albert Young has made a name for himself.  After several short pastorates, he went to Hickory to Viewmont Church.  Soon after that he led the church to move out of town and build a new structure.  This they did and now have a progressive growing church of hundreds of members.

 

Mack Bryant was only a summer school student, but he graduated here.  After getting further training he became a pastor and is doing well in churches of South Carolina.  He is a forceful speaker as those who attended Homecoming when he was our speaker will attest.

 

Guy Johnson is a Rutherford County man who has been very successful in the ministry.  He has done quite a bit of work as an evangelist and for some years now has been pastor of Main Street Church in Spindale.

 

Elsworth Kerley for some years has been silent about his whereabouts and activities.

 

Ollin Owens was the second ministerial student to graduate here – in 1931. He then went to Wake Forest College and, after graduation, entered the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Ky.  Miss Loulie Latimer became his wife and they took a pastorate at Marshall, N. C.  From there they went to South Carolina and moved from one notable pastorate to another.  He is now the head of ANNUITY work of the SBC in that state – an important position.

 

Ed Glazier came later.  He was the son of foreign missionaries.  After graduation here and getting college and seminary in the north, he married and was appointed a missionary to the Philippine Islands.