BANKS Winter-Spring 2008 Remembering Haynie and Gertrude Banks Haynie Gillespie Prince was born September 2, 1904, the son of Marcus and Laura Prince. The second of six brothers and sisters, Haynie grew up on a farm in Lincoln County, Georgia, where his father served as an elder in the Presbyterian Church. By the age of seventeen he had completed his primary and secondary education in the local schools and was accepted as an undergraduate student at Presbyterian College, Clinton, South Carolina. Upon graduation in 1925, he was offered the position of elementary school Principal in Bessemer City, North Carolina. The last of nine children of Thomas Marion and Georgia DeLura Banks, Lura Gertrude was born February 2, 1902. She attended schools in Stevens County and enrolled in the State Normal School in Athens, which later became the University of Georgia. Upon graduation, she applied for and was accepted as a first grade teacher in the small town of Bessemer City, North Carolina, whose principal was none other than Haynie Gillespie Prince. The teacherprincipal relationship blossomed until they faced a major disagreement over the method of teaching music to first graders—Gertrude the teacher, Haynie the musician. As it turned out Haynie acquiesced, which eventually led to courtship between principal and teacher. With Gertrude’s brother and sister-in-law—John Allen and Susie—in attendance, the couple was married August 20, 1936, in Calvary Baptist Church, Spartanburg, SC. They honeymooned in the North Carolina Mountains. After their honeymoon, the couple returned to Bessemer City where they remained until Haynie was selected to fill the position of Dean of Students at Presbyterian College. While in Clinton, Gertrude became a mother—their daughter Jeri was born—taught kindergarten and, in fact, was the charter director of the Presbyterian Church kindergarten of Clinton. Continued on page 2
Inside this issue: Volina Dixon Roper
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Family News Anncouncements
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Jeri Stapleton authors
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series of children’s books Dan & Taylor Coles
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Contact me with your news!!
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Donna Banks Dodd 3425 Spinnaker Way Acworth, GA 30102 678-574-7071