In the hills of Patrick County, Virginia once stood a place that echoed with the dreams and determination of generations: Patrick Central School. Established in 1953, this school was created to consolidate seven smaller segregated schools and serve the educational needs of African American children during the Jim Crow era.
Built at a cost of $290,000, Patrick Central opened its doors in September 1953 with 12 classrooms, a science lab, homemaking suite, library, teacher’s lounge, principal’s office, and a gymnasium-auditorium-cafeteria capable of seating 800 people. It quickly became more than a school — it was the heart of the African American community in Patrick County, serving over 1,100 residents not only with education, but also with health services, community events, and cultural programs.
According to the March 19, 1953, Martinsville Bulletin, the school’s dedication ceremony was a significant moment. Dr. J. Rupert Picott, Executive Secretary of the Virginia Teachers Association, delivered the keynote address. School leaders like Principal Percy H. Stone, Jr., Superintendent James V. Law, and PTA President Elmer Brim welcomed the crowd and ushered in a new era for people of color in the region. George Houchins gave the welcoming address, and the response was given by N. E. Johnson, principal of the George Washington Carver High School at Fieldale. Special music for the services was provided by Miss Della Pilson, soloist, and the Carver High School chorus. Rev. R. E. Foster, pastor of the Grace Presbyterian Church of Martinsville gave the invocation; and Rev. L. L. Graves, pastor of the First Christian Church at Stuart, the benediction.
On May 31, 1953, Patrick Central School graduated the following seven students: Susan Geneva Hairston, Henry Lee Pullins, Willie Mabel Roberts, Mayme Gray Sawyers, Lester Burnice Spencer, Lottie Mae Staples, and Josephine Travis.
On May 23, 1954, the Baccalaureate sermon for Patrick Central School was preached by Rev. R. E. Foster of Grace Presbyterian. For the graduation exercises at the school, members of the senior class participated in a panel discussion, “Education in Today’s World.” The class valedictorian was Winford Ross Snell, and the salutatorian was Phillip Douglas Foddrell. Other members of the Class of 1954 were Richard Lee Floyd, Phillip William Houchins, Kermit Lee Ingram, Mattie Sue Moore, and Della Mae Pullins.
Teachers at Patrick Central weren’t just instructors — they were mentors, neighbors, and role models. Their influence extended well beyond the classroom. The faculty for the 1954-55 school year was Percy H. Stone, Jr., principal; Samuel Lester, assistant principal; Miss Etta Moyer, Miss Youtha Reynolds, home economics; Miss Emma Jean Foster, commercial; Mrs. Eva Claytor, eighth grade; Mrs. Annie Hairston, seventh; Miss Fay Foster, sixth; Miss Jessie Penn, fifth; Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson, fourth (this is Elizabeth Bernice Barker Johnson, another Patrick Pioneer story); Mrs. Ethel Brim, second and third; Mrs. Laura Small, third; Mrs. Mattie Alexander, second; and Mrs. Edna Hagwood, first.
The Patrick Central School Class of 1955 doubled in size from the year before! The graduating class consisted of Claude Lincoln Conner; Robert Oneal Floyd; Roger Leon Foddrell; Callie Ruth Gray; Geraldine Earnestine Hill; Dollie Ruth Moore; Sam Thomas Nowlin, Jr.; Johnnie B. Penn; William Oneal Pilson; Avis Delphine Redd; Ollie Dillard Redd; Nancy Garnett Reid; Robert Lee Reynolds; William Maynard Reynolds; Bronza Odell Tatum; and Brooks Lee Tatum.
In 1956, a talent show, followed by a “womanless wedding” was held to benefit the school’s active PTA and in April of that year, a mobile chest x-ray unit visited the school to prevent the spread of tuberculosis.
Over the decade, the school continued to educate and empower students. Although each graduating class remained small — rarely exceeding twenty students — the pride was immense. In 1957, Rev. John L. Bryan from Bennett College of Greensboro, North Carolina addressed graduates with a powerful message about purpose, faith, and leadership. In the June 15, 1957, Martinsville Bulletin, Rev. Bryan was quoted as saying to the graduates, “There are four things that you can do with your lives, you can run away from life, you can run with life, you can run your life, or you may surrender your life to God for safekeeping.”
In 1962, nine seniors, (all girls) graduated from Patrick Central School: Linda Sue Clark, valedictorian and president; Shirley Ann Brim, vice-president; Rachel Evelyn Sawyers, salutatorian and secretary; Phyllis Minerva Carter, assistant secretary; Lillie Mae Martin, treasurer; Gloria Jean Conner, reporter; and Earlene Travis; Jennie Christine Reynolds; and Susie Mae Via; graduates.
But even as Patrick Central flourished, the winds of change were sweeping across Virginia. Patrick Central remained a segregated institution until 1966, when the Patrick County School Board closed the school. At the final graduation ceremony of Patrick Central School, the Baccalaureate sermon was delivered by Rev. John D. Hairston, vicar of the First Episcopal Church of Martinsville, and Dr. S. O. Jones, a member of the faculty of A & T College at Greensboro, also spoke at graduation. The valedictorian was Margaret Jean Hagwood, and the salutatorian was Patricia Ann Martin.
The summer of 1966, about 500 African American students were reassigned to newly integrated schools across the county. Teachers were reassigned as well, and the once-bustling Patrick Central School was shuttered.
Today, nearly 60 years after its closure, the story of Patrick Central School is being honored in a profound way. A Virginia Historical Highway Marker has officially been approved to commemorate the school’s enduring legacy. The final wording will be decided by September 18, 2025, and an unveiling ceremony is planned for the spring of 2026.
Unlike government-funded projects, historical markers in Virginia must be paid entirely through donations. If you would like to help preserve the memory of Patrick Central and the generations it served, contributions can be sent to:
Mary Sawyers
340 North Franklin Road
Mount Airy, NC 27030
Your support ensures that this chapter of history will never be forgotten — that the courage, resilience, and excellence of the students and teachers of Patrick Central School will inspire generations to come.
For questions, comments, or ideas for a story, you may contact Beverly Woody at rockcastlecreek1@gmail.com or 276-692-9626.
I enjoyed reading about the history of Patrick Central. I had one sister and three brothers to graduate from Patrick Central. I was fortunate to complete the 9th grade there before transferring to Stuart High for three years.
Just excellent, exciting such of a long time coming.
Hope thing’s continue to move in the right direction