Wellington Hannibal Coston
Oliver C. Dawson
Brother WELLINGTON HANNIBAL COSTON, the sone of Mary B. and Frank F. Coston, was born on October 20, 1911 in Hamburg, Lousiana. Realizing the need for salvation at an early age, he became very active in church work in his hometown of Hamburg, Louisiana. Upon coming to Montgomery, he united with the First Congregational Christian Church, where he served actively (until his health declined) as a Sunday School teacher and chairman of the Deacon Board. After completing his early educational training in Hamburg, Louisiana, he attended Straight College in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1933. He continued his guest for knowledge and education by completing a Master of Science degree at State Teachers College in Montgomery, Alabama and further studies at Howard University in Washington, D.C. His dedication to the well-being of people of all ages was marked by a career of successful accomplishments. He served as Principal of Alabama State Laboratory School, coupled with an outstanding tenure as Registrar and Dean of Admissions at Alabama State University. He was involved in the following community organizations: Vice chairman of the Board at the Cleveland Avenue YMCA, Phi Delta Kappa Professional Education Fraternity, Alabama State Teachers Association, and several other national and local civic organizations. He left to cherish the very special memories of his life: a devoted and loving wife of 51 years, Teressa E. Coston; a foster daughter and son, Greta and Louis Floyd III, Montgomery, Alabama; one sister, Lou S. Jackson, Opelika, Alabama; one brother Edward F. Coston, Birmingham, Alabama; two foster grandchildren, Ronda Floyd, Montgomery, Alabama and Karen Prestage, Atlanta, Georgia; one brother-in-law, Jimmie L. Jackson, Opelika, Alabama; several godchildren and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Brother OLIVER C. "Ollie" DAWSON, retired coach and a d m i n i s t r a t o r at S o u t h Carolina State, died Feb. 9, after an extended illness. Brother Dawson, 78, was a native of Thomaston, GA, and Cleveland. He had a long and unparalled career as a professor, coach, athletic director and adminstrator at S.C. State. Affectionately k n o w n as "Ollie, the Man for All Seasons" and "Bull," Dawson came to S.C. State in 1935 and attained almost legendary status at the Orangeburg institution before retiring in 1976. During his 41-year tenure, he coached five sports, winning championships in four of them — football, basketball, tennis and golf. He also coached track and field for the Bulldogs. Dawson served as a Bulldog assistant football coach in 1936 and was named head coach the following year. He held the position until 1950, with his teams consistently finishing in the upper division of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). In 1947, his squad was undefeated and played for the national championship for Black colleges and universities. He coached basketball for 11 seasons and brought the school its first SIAC crown in 1943. Dawson also coached tennis for seven seasons and track and field for four. He initiated the S.C. State golf program in health and physical education at the college and served as department chairman for 30 years. In addition, he was Bulldog athletic director for 16 seasons, overseeing some of the most productive years in the history of the school's athletic program. Dawson's career was highlighted by his induction into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 1974, becoming the first Black to be so honored. In 1983, he became a charter member of the S.C. State College athletic Hall of Fame and, a year later, he became the first Black to be inducted into the John Carroll University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1984, S.C. State renamed its 15,000 -seat football stadium in honor of Dawson. Dawson attended John Carroll University in Cleveland and graduated from S.S. State in 1936. He earned a master's
Alonzo Aldrich Davis
Brother ALONZA ALDRICH DAVIS, before his departure he served admirably as an administrator, teacher and coach. His life began sixty-six years ago in North Louisiana in Friendship Community, Claiborne Parish, where he was born to the late Claude and Elizabeth Davis. He was reared in Lisbon, Louisiana where he completed his early education. His high school education was recieved at Homor High School in Homer, Louisiana. He earned his undergraduate degree at Grambling State University in Education and received his Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision from Louisiana State University. Further study was done at Northwestern University, Louisiana State University and the University of Texas. He spent four years in the United States Army where he specialized in Office Administration and later became a photographer. His professional experiences included serving as a teacher and principal in Union Parish, as football coach, baseball coach and principal of Lincoln High School in Ruston, Louisiana and as the Director of Chapter I — Lincoln Parish School Board in Ruston, Louisiana. He was affiliated with the Lewis Temple Methodist Epicopal Church. Among the numerous positions he held were trustee, steward, Sunday School Superintendent, class leader, usher, Director of Evangelism and a member of the Lewis Temple Male Chorus. He was a Prince Hall Mason and a member of Evangelist Lodge #144. He also held membership in Phi Delta Kappa, the Grambling Unit of Retired Teachers, and was a past president of the Grambling Lions Club. Brother Davis is survived by his wife, Lela Dunn Davis of Grambling, Louisiana and one daughter, Jackie, also of Grambling.
The Sphinx/Winter 1989
Page 67