“The child comes first,” says “Miss Trixie”

The following human interest story appeared in The Banner newspaper of Barnwell in 1987. Today, this article is presented as part of Barnwell’s history by Weesie Fickling.

When the public school bells tolled September 1951, their tone signaled the birth of “Miss Trixie’s” kindergarten in the basement of the Barnwell Methodist Church. Mrs. Henry Mole had decided to open a kindergarten, and eighteen little boys and girls arrived that first day as “Miss Trixie” and Mrs. Dot Hogg welcomed them.

Thirty-five years later, it’s about time we did some reminiscing.

When the kindergarten was four years old, “Miss Trixie” purchased a section of a railroad house from Mrs. Judy for $35. This was located next to husband Henry’s funeral home. Their house flanks the business on the right.

The kindergarten could easily be regarded as a family affair. Trixie and her three sisters taught together while Mary Katherine Lindler worked in the music department. Today, Brenda Davis continues to assist “Miss Trixie” with the teaching aspects.

To be certain, there are a number of statistics which have been accumulated over this span of three and one-half decades. “Miss Trixie” has taught an uncle and a niece at the same time….Ed Carter and Marvilea Cheek Wallace. An aunt and a niece were seated near each other in the classroom….Amanda Atkinson and Christy ­Renew.

During these 35 years, only one accident required the child be taken from the kindergarten by “Miss Trixie” to the doctor. It would be a doctor’s child! The son of Dr. L.M. Mace fell out of the swing and had a cut above his eye.

It is quite natural that two generations of children have graduated from this kindergarten. To name a few: Sandy Vojtech, daughter, Amy; Kay Holland Begley, daughter, Sylvia; Eddie Crouch, daughter, Melisa; Harold Keel, daughter, Amanda; Janet Webb Causey, son, Adam; Coley Creech, daughter, Melissa.

“Miss Trixie” exclaimed, “I was very excited over being able to teach my grandchildren Chrissa and John Henry Mole. It was hard to explain to the other little children why Chrissa and John Henry could call me “Mi Mi”, and the other children still had to call me “Miss Trixie”. It was not a problem when I explained that grandchildren had to do the same as everyone else.”

According to “Miss Trixie”, she has so many good memories; she wishes that she had written them down. Now is the time to recall some of them, don’t you think?

“Clint Hogg and I had to have a little talk,” exclaimed the teacher. “My grandaddy is Sheriff Hogg, and he will lock you up in jail if you don’t mind,” Clint sounded forth. Then some explaining was done. The sheriff was never mentioned again!

Louise Norwood Boyle­ston and Ellen Holman were always fussing because they always had to turn the rope for the others to jump. They were the tallest, and the others couldn’t get the rope over their heads.

“Great garden seed! Trying to get Barney Mazursky calmed down on Monday after spending Saturday and Sunday with his dad Mayor “Zook” and the policemen on the ­Circle was something else,” declared ‘Miss Trixie’”.

“Having little conversations with Lee Richardson and listening to his small problems about how he must watch out for sister Luanne, proved to be mighty interesting,” said the teacher.

“Dee Norwood insisted that he was as old and as big as Jimbo Peeples and John Mole, so he should be able to come to kindergarten, too! He did his best to act just like the older boys,” recalled their patient teacher with a smile.

There were many highlights each year: there were train rides from Barnwell to Cope, S.C. Henry and one parent would meet them in Cope and give the children a box of Cracker Jacks to eat on the way back. This kept the children busy, and they sat still as there were no seat belts back then.

Mr. Henry’s ride in the ambulance from Barnwell down the old Allendale Road was exciting. The child riding in the front seat could blow the siren. This was done every year until the rescue service ­began.

“I was told plenty of home secrets, but they were always kept, and the child was explained to that these should be kept as mother and daddy would not want them to be told,” advised their wise teacher.

Times were changing, and so, “Miss Trixie” began a nursery school of four year olds while teaching four days a week with Friday as a holiday.

“One of my pupils, ­Teresa Morris, is teaching kindergarten in the public school, and I am very proud of her,” beamed “Miss Trixie”.

Several other students are familiar to you: John Mole, funeral director; Dr. Terry Fakoury Smith, dentist; Terry Richardson, lawyer; Amy Gibson Morrison, lawyer; ­Donnie Webster, pharmacist; Gregg Blatt, coach; and Sam Plexico, insurance agent.

Over the years, this teacher has practiced patience. Most important, the child comes first. Discipline - just to let them know you mean what you say, but that you love them. Always have time for a bug hug.

The interview concluded: “I have enjoyed my 35 years of teaching and have loved every child I had. I hope to teach on as long as breath permits,” said the favorite teacher of many a child.

Before leaving, I too got a mighty big hug.