My mom was a school teacher !
She received her degree from what was then known as Southeastern Teacher's College. (I think that was the name.) Later, when I graduated from there, it was Southeastern State College. And now, it's Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Ironically enough, one of my very bestest friend's son is now president of SOSU. (Aletha Booker Burrage ~ Sean Burrage.)
But, I meander with my typing. Try to stay with me here. Oh look, a squirrel.
See. My ADHD is working well this morning.
Back to the funny story.
Mom taught at several different schools in the Antlers, Oklahoma area . . . South Nelson, Sugarloaf, and Kellond.
Kellond ! Yes ! My first real memories from childhood are of Kellond. A rock building north of Antlers that at one time, eventually was turned into a honky-tonk of sorts. (Mom, cover your ears.)
Miss Bertha, as she was fondly called by her students, became pregnant in 1951. It was not viewed upon favorably in those days for the school teacher to be 'with child' and in the classroom full of young students.
Becoming pregnant in October, three months into the school year, was kind of a miracle but needed to be kept secret. You see, she had been told she would probably never be able to have children.
My parents, being the honest kind of 'foke' they were, decided they should tell one of the school board members of their predicament. They needed her salary and certainly would be put in a financial strain if she was asked to step down.
Eanon and Miss Bertha went to one of the school board member's houses one night to share their story. Their meeting with Mr. Davis was held in the family's tiny living room while the Davis son played in the kitchen nearby. Larry Davis was a student of Miss Bertha's.
Mr. Davis assured my parents he would keep their secret and to not worry about losing her job. He would later bring this up at the school board meeting, but until then, no one would know but the three of them.
Of course, Mom and Dad were both relieved.
The next day in that classroom filled with first, second, third, and fourth graders, Miss Bertha was at the back of the room sitting at a table with first graders in a reading group.
Above the din from all the other students sitting at their desks, she heard Larry tell another third grader, "Hey ! Did you know Miss Bertha is going to have a baby ? Don't tell her though because she doesn't know yet."
