Longtime Memphis' Douglass Community Resident Florence Quinn-Davis reflects on her childhood in Milton, Florida and 60+ years living in city's historic community. At the time of the recording, Mrs. Quinn-Davis was a few weeks shy of turning 90 years old. Born in 1934, she attended grade school and high school at Santa Rosa School (renamed Jackson High School) in Milton, FL which is located right outside of Pensacola. She ultimately graduated from Booker T. Washington High school in Memphis years later. The family is known throughout the Douglass Community with her children and family members graduating from one of the city's oldest schools, Douglass High School.

Email: wynn.earle@beaconlightstories.com
Website: https://beaconlightstories.com/

Sisters and Shelby County Residents, Gladys Pugh Lewis and Dollie Pugh Hall, reflect on their time in elementary and high school.  Gladys is 93 years old and Dollie is 83 years old.  Both attended the Gainesville School in Mason, TN. Gladys graduated from Barrets Chapel High School in Shelby County in 1948, and graduated with John Strong, Jr. who I interviewed for episodes 2 and 3. Dollie graduated from the Gailor Industrial School in Mason, TN in 1957. Their father, DC Pugh, served as the school bus driver for Black students of Mason, TN. The Pugh Family is known throughout Mason, TN as the family has been part of the community for over 100 years.  

Email: wynn.earle@beaconlightstories.com
Website: https://beaconlightstories.com/

This is part 2 of my conversation with Shelby County Resident and retired principal, John Strong, Jr.  We begin this part of our time together with his first year teaching at Brunswick Jr. High School in Brunswick, TN.  Just as soon as he started his teaching career, he was drafted into the United States Army.  He returned home in 1954, and began teaching at Geeter High School in Whitehaven, TN.  He soon became a principal where he lead teachers, students, and communities through some turbulent times in the 1960's and 1970's.  

Email: wynn.earle@beaconlightstories.com
Website: https://beaconlightstories.com/

This week I am sharing the first oral history recording.  At the time of this recording a few weeks ago, John Strong, Jr. was 91 years old. He was born and raised in Northern Shelby County, TN, attending Barret's Chapel High School and Lane College before beginning a long career as an educator.  He was drafted into the United States Army in 1952, just two months after beginning his teaching career.  He shared some incredible stories of his time in elementary and high school, and his time in college.  

Email: wynn.earle@beaconlightstories.com
Website: https://beaconlightstories.com/

I'm Wynn...Memphian, educator, author, and total history nerd.  My first episode is a simple, yet detailed, get-to-know-me and my overall goals for the podcast.  

Email: wynn.earle@beaconlightstories.com
Website: https://beaconlightstories.com/