|
Asbury School dedicated to Isbell
Published February 21, 2006
A cold winter rain could not dampen the spirit and pride of the Isbell family as it met Saturday at the Asbury High School cafeteria to honor the family matriarch, Jane Dowdy Isbell.
With upwards of 75 people in attendance, Asbury Principal Bill Aaron gave a warm welcome, followed by an invocation from the honoree’s great-great-grandson, the Rev. Sherman Isbell. With apparent pride, Aaron spoke of how far the school had come in such a short time.
Echoing the sentiments of the principal were state Rep. Frank McDaniel, D-Albertville, and Marshall County School Board member Frank Reed, both in attendance.
During the period of refreshments following the ceremony, one could wander through the small groups of people and hear many stories recalling the lives of Jane Isbell and her husband, Elijah. One of the Isbell great-grandchildren, Mildred Dalrymple, recalled that the ground on which the group was standing, in this most modern of school buildings, had once been the Isbell family cotton fields.
There were also discussions about school life, past and present. Many recalled the old wood-frame building that served as the school from the 1920s to the mid-1960s.
To build the new brick structure, which is now the oldest building in the present complex, construction crews had cut the old wooden structure into sections, moving them away from each other. This allowed the new building’s construction to be occupied by its predecessor almost on the spot.
This meant that to go to the lunchroom the kids of that time would have to leave our first grade class, which was in the front section, walk down steps from where the building had been cut in to, cross over the construction field, then go back into the building where the basement lunchroom was located, a grand adventure to any young boy.
In January 1968, when school began being held in the new building. When it was built, it was considered to be the most modern school structure in the state. There were also memories of the old gym that had been built in the early 50s. It had been the site of the thousands of basketball games, pageants, fall festivals and a few events known as “Womanless Weddings.”
Following the ceremony, generations of Isbells gathered in the foyer of the new high school building to view the commemorative plaque, a tribute to the gifts bestowed by Jane Isbell.
Listening to the myriad of stories told, conclusions were formed that she may have given a gift more profound than the ones talked of on Saturday. She fostered an intense pride of the Asbury community and east Marshall County area in its school. All in attendance, along with many occupying the Asbury community, would agree that is quite a legacy.
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print |
Letter
|
|
|
 |
|
Follow the Reporter on Twitter:
SMR News and
SMR Sports
|
