50-Year-Reunion

In 1986, the economy was terrible, Ray lost his job because he had less seniority. He searched for months for a job without success. In October of 1986, we made the agonizing decision for me to resign my HeadStart job, a job, I loved, leave our family, friends, and our support system to relocate to Florence, SC. Without a support system I worked in childcare centers as the Curriculum Coordinator and Lead Teacher. Childcare was a great solution because I did not have to worry about after school or summer care for Jayson. He attended for free and was able to participate in their field trips to the movies, skating, swimming, the zoo, and the beach. I love teaching and working with children, so it was a “ win, win ” solution for me. While working in childcare, I asked a librarian from our public library to visit my class for Storytime. Observing her conduct Storytime was my “ a - ha ” moment, I realized being a librarian was what I wanted to do for my career. When Jayson was too old to attend childcare, I applied for a position as a Library Associate at the Florence County Head Quarters Library (the library system is comprised of HQ library, five branch libraries and a Bookmobile.) Until I began working at the library, I did not realize that being a librarian in the State of SC requires a master ’ s degree. My first library position was Outreach Children ’ s Coordinator Associate. In this position I had the opportunity to share books with children as well as coordinating After School and Young Adult Programs at our five branch libraries. I also visited local childcare centers with the Bookmobile for Storytime. I averaged seeing a total of 12,000 children yearly in the branch libraries and childcare centers.

Our Wedding Day, August 21, 1976, Trinity United Methodist Church

Bluefield State graduation

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