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November 20, 2009

Hall of Fame adds Gilliam

T. J. ROYAL

ROCKY MOUNT — More than 250 people showed at Nash Community College for the eight newest inductees into the Twin County Museum & Hall of Fame Thursday night at Nash Community College.

Of the eight, the late, former George Washington Carver High School Principal Samuel Gilliam was the only one from Edgecombe County.

There was a good showing specifically for the late principal, with around 30 former G.W. Carver High students and Gilliam family members in attendance. Gilliam, an N.C. Central University and Shaw University graduate, passed away in June 2001 at the age of 89.

Both Edgecombe County Commissioner Wayne Hines and former Edgecombe Community College President Dr. Hartwell Fuller referred to the principal as "an icon" in the county, for his 34-year tenure at Carver High and the impact he had in the community.

Gilliam was principal from 1941-43, and then from 1945-77, with the two years in between spent with the U.S. Army serving in World War II.

During her introduction of him as an inductee, Ann Edge said that when Gilliam did not receive permission to hold classes in the then-uncompleted Carver High School in Pinetops, he held the children's classes within school buses. "He blew a whistle" to let students know that it was time to change classes, she added.

Because of Gilliam's commitment to his students, Edge added that "Carver became the role model for other high schools in the county."

Hines said "it means the world to me" to see his one-time principal recognized for his work. "He made a difference in most of the children's lives. ... He didn't have much trouble out of anybody" because of his ability to enforce discipline, and command respect, with children, Hines added.

Fuller added that, especially during the period of racial integration of the county's school system, he was "a stabilizing force" in the community, someone "loved by everybody who knew him."

Accepting a commissioned portrait on Gilliam's behalf was his great niece, Deborah Gilliam, who came from Virginia for the ceremony.

"He has always done wonderful things, but it's great for him to be recognized for the things he's accomplished," she said. She felt "happy and full of pride" to be representing her family Thursday, to see her great uncle inducted and recognized for his efforts in education.

Gilliam said that Sam's widow, 97-year-old Dorothy, was "overjoyed" on Thursday to know that her late husband was being honored for his lifelong accomplishments in Edgecombe's school system. Dorothy lives in Rocky Mount on her own, though she does have "around the clock" assistance from caretakers, her great niece added.

Leah Vines, the national president of the George Washington Carver Alumni Association, said the induction of Gilliam into the Hall of Fame "means everything really" to the 250 members of her organization.

"He really is the roots of high school in Edgecombe County for black children," added Vines, a 1955 G.W. Carver High graduate.

James Collins, a 1969 Carver High graduate and local president of the school's alumni association, said that his former principal was "the type of person everyone should want to model (themselves) after.

“You can be the best at whatever you would want to be" if taking that approach, Collins added.

John Mebane, vice president of Twin County Community Pride Inc., which sponsors the Hall of Fame, said the organization thinks "it's important to know who came from Rocky Mount, from Tarboro" and elsewhere within Edgecombe and Nash counties, to be examples to future generations for their potential, coming from the area.

"You can go to school here, you can graduate from here and then go on into the world and do great things."

All eight of the inductees had special portraits unveiled, which were accepted by the honoree or a family member. When best-selling author Kaye Gibbons was presented her portrait, she appreciatively quipped "that's a nice picture of (movie actress) Faye Dunaway."

Two of Gibbons' eight novels, "Ellen Foster" and "A Virtuous Woman," have been featured selections for the Oprah Book Club.

The portraits were made by Tarboro artist Susan Fecho, who used chosen photographs of the subjects, incorporating themes from their careers and accomplishments into the finished work.

The other six inductees recognized Thursday were:

• Kemp Davis Battle, a former attorney and judge from Rocky Mount, who served for 30 years on the UNC Chapel Hill Board of Trustees, and was vice president and director of Rocky Mount Mills.

• Claude Mayo, a businessman who has served on the Board of Trustees of N.C. Wesleyan College, and as a Nash County Commissioner.

• John Sykes, a former junior high and high school band director in Rocky Mount. His bands won three Grand National championships and participated in two Orange Bowls and in The Tournament of Roses.

• James Boyd, a Booker T. Washington High School graduate who went on to win the gold medal in the light heavyweight boxing division during the 1956 Olympic games that were held in Melbourne, Australia.

• Charles Johnson, radio station manager and owner of WRSV-FM and WEED-AM, with more than 40 years experience in the field, hosting programs on gospel music, as well as rhythm and blues.

• Donnie Weaver, a singer and songwriter with the O'Kaysions, who penned the hit songs "I'm a Girl Watcher," "Too Many Broken Hearts" and "Starvin' for Love."

This year's sixth annual induction event brings the Twin County Hall of Fame inductees total to 54. Past inductees Ruth Cherry and Nick Boddie also attended Thursday's event inside Brown Auditorium.

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