Black History series - by Susie Sansom-Piper

Milam County Historical Commission
Milam County, Texas

All credit for these articles go to
Susie Sansom-Piper and
the Rockdale Reporter

index to Black History month articles
Written by Susie Sansom-Piper and
published in the Rockdale Reporter

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS - SERIES 9 PART 4

Editor’s note: This is the fourth article in the ninth series of “On the Other Side of

the Tracks,” a Black History Month series by former Rockdale resident, and longtime

teacher, Susie Sansom-Piper.

60S Bring Changes to Both Sides Of The Tracks

By SUSIE SANSOM-PIPER

Reporter contributor

The community on “the other side of the tracks” continued to thrive.

Along with improvements to the city as a whole, new churches were built to replace the

aged, worn churches, and the Rising Star Church building was moved from the Sharp

Community to Rockdale.

The new Aycock School was built on Baxter Street in 1954.

GLORY DAYS — Aycock students, under the leadership of Prof. O. E. Wilhite, Sr., and his

18 faculty members, continued to pursue their championship quest for the next 13 years.

There were many state winners in football, basketball, track, typing, home economics,

debates, spelling, vocal music, band, and public speaking.

Also, Aycock’s era of professional athletes, Frank McKee, Billy Ray Locklin and James

Leroy Wright had arrived.

James Banks Jr. made special history in becoming the first baseball player in this region

to pitch a no-hitter, and Annie Bell Page made history in girls’ basketball.

Even after graduation, Aycock students achieved greatness:

Bob Roberson, first black to head the Postal System in Arizona;

Lee Alcorn, politician and radiologist Specialist.

Award-winning educators Fannie Lovelady, Barbara Sansom, Margaret Sanders, Sharon

Williams, Bobbie Nell Richards, Margaret Banks, Johnnie Black, Gladys McKee, Johnnie

Sanders, Fred Wilhite, O. E. Wilhite, Jr., Emma Douglas, Ethel Green, and Delores

Phillips.

Nurses Eula Sansom, Lora Turner, Pearlie Haynes, Estell Fair, Alyce Sanders, Mae Joyce

Jackson and Allie Banks.

Patricia Jones, medical researcher; Lon Williams, Banker; Elma Moultrie, postmaster in

Manchaca, Texas; Lucy Ray Crawford Billy Gray, and Billy Joe Douglas, Business Owners.

Lovie Molden, sheriff; Bettie Miller, Daisy Majors, Marie Moore, Hope Cooke, Clara F.

Clark, secretarial work.

Lawrence Bacy, minister; Dennis Brooks, minister and founder of school of religion. Those

who did not pursue colleges were all successful in their chosen line of work.

CHANGES — The Civil Rights Acts, the many protests, riots and other rivalries changed the

complete outlook for Blacks and Whites, especially in most of the Southern States.

Disturbances were rampant, and many people lost lives. Yet, on the other side of the

tracks, there were no violent reactions, only verbal discussions among friends and

neighbors.

Although, many negative things were often expressed, everyone obeyed the laws of the

land.

FINAL DAYS — The final days of a great school ended with the graduating class of 1965.

This class included Jessie Brooks, Gloria Nell Crawford, Arthur Ray Dykes, Curtis

Johnson, Bertha Mack, Patricia McDaniel, Bettie Jean Miller, (valedictorian), Joyce

Nealy, C. Anthony Norwood (salutatorian) and Doris Robertson.

Aycock sixth grade was sent to Rockdale Middle School, including teacher, Flora J. Mack.

The remaining middle and elementary students were given “freedom of choice” to integrate,

or to remain at Aycock.

In May 1967, four teachers — Lucy Battle, Ardie M. Williams, Frankie McDonald, Susie E.

Sansom — and 51 students gathered under the giant oak trees north of the Aycock Gymnasium

for a farewell picnic.

LEGACY — Thus ended the annals of Aycock High School, for post-integration, all students

attended the schools on the northern side of the tracks.

A new Rockdale High School was built in 1955.

The old high school, which was built in 1922, became the junior-high, and the virtually

brand new Aycock High School, which was only 13 years old, was closed.

Some say that the decision not to use the newer Aycock building was because people didn’t

want their children to “have to ride the buses through the Flats.”

Although the closing of Aycock and the ensuing mixing of the races in the school system

was foremost in discussion for the town, such outstanding singers such as the Hardeman

Echoes, the social activities of the Modernistic Club, and the fraternal organizations

helped to maintain the calmness of the community.

This marked the end of a great school, but solidified a history that is worthy of

emulation.

It also marked the end of many community events that were considered a normal part “on

the other side of the tracks.”

But, it opened a swinging door of united agreement, and the spirit of working together

for a great city on both sides of the tracks. This marks the 50th year of partial

integration of Rockdale Public Schools.

It is a grand memory to have been a part of this group of great students.

There were very limited numbers of discipline problems, but there were always great

efforts to be the best in any and all endeavors.

Index

Aycock students gather at school in May, 1967, for one last group photo during farewell

picnic. Rockdale schools were fully integrated by fall.

Photo by Bill Cooke - Rockdale Reporter - 1967