what makes us so unique?
The year was 1969...
and we were heading to a new school.
While the nation desperately tried to address the racial tensions, inequalities, and disparities of our era, we were selected as the class in Greenville, NC to break educational color lines that had been drawn centuries before. It was a decision and experience that would forever change our lives.
Many of us were nervous, upset, scared, skeptical, and unprepared for what awaited us. We didn't know what to expect. And other than family, friends from our old school, and each other, many of us arrived feeling alone, targeted, and singled out. Some of us struggled academically. Many of us struggled socially. It was a huge, forced adjustment.
BUT WE MADE IT
We survived, we excelled, we achieved, .....We GRADUATED!
It has been 50 years since our historic accomplishment. We were the first fully integrated class to graduate from Rose High School.
Many of us have gone on to the next life, but many of us still remain.
Most of us have kept in touch or attended our annual Eppes Reunion, but this year is different.
Fun Facts
The Mighty Bulldog Marching Band was one of the best marching bands in Eastern North Carolina.
REFLECTIONS OF INTEGRATION
Why Not Us?
When I heard
that the Pitt County Board of Education of Greenville, North Carolina had mandated that all upcoming C.M. Eppes High School seniors graduating in Spring of 1970 would be forced to attend J.H. Rose High School (an all-white high school) in the fall of 1969, I did not know what to expect. I had no idea of how much affect it would have on our black family, black culture, black community, black students nor black schools.
A black girl in 1969/70 singing in a prestigious white college nightclub downtown, working trying to help my parents pay my way through my senior year in high school… A few hours later would see and hear my new white classmates threating us with shotguns and yelling “Niggers go home!” Nonetheless, my J H Rose High senior class of 1970, the last junior class of C. M. Eppes High School had been selected to begin this daunting historical trailblazing integration journey.
The integration project in Greenville, North Carolina started with our Eppes Junior Class 1969. It was a fairly new uncharted systemic program implemented to break down barriers of discrimination and segregation that separated African American poor minority society from the White American wealthy society.
Some of the Proposed Benefits of Integration:
- Better resources, stronger academic outcomes
- Reduce racial achievement gaps and racial bias
- Students less likely to dropout
- Enhance leadership and intellectual self-confidence skills
The forced process of integration set both black and white society from both sides of the track on a collision course that would change our black community, city and nation forever. Neither black nor white students, nor administration nor faculty were properly prepared for the daunting task ahead.
For some graduates of the class of 1970, reflections of our past 50-year journey have left many with scarred memories, disappointments, broken promises, shattered dreams and unrealized potential. Others have found reconciliation, hope and healing in a diversed perplexed world.
This trailblazing path with its twists and turns was carved out in history for us to tread. We represented the “Mighty Bulldogs well”…we stood through rain and hail..we stood our trials well. We fought a good fight. We finished the course that was set before us. There is still much to be done. We join forces with the other Mighty Bulldogs leaving a legacy building upon the foundation that connect us to a brighter more united future.
“Live long and never die, Dear Old Eppes High”
Delores (Lola) Barrett Thompson
Do you think desegregation
worked for the students as a whole?
“Desegregation worked for me in forcing me to come out of my comfort zone. I grew up quiet because of things that had happened in my life. I was an introvert with the extrovert screaming to come out on the inside of me. In class, I often knew the answers but sat silently and only responded when called on because I allowed myself to be intimidated by the bold, the confident and the bullies—black or white.
Going to JH Rose ahead of the forced desegregation gave me the opportunity to adapt and begin to express myself more confidently in the new environment. However, when my peers came from Eppes, some didn’t like the comfort I had found and saw it as a betrayal of my race. I’ve always had the ability to see things from both sides and have never been prone to go along with a platform I didn’t agree with. Therefore, you can imagine the new challenges I faced. Yet, it was all good. I’m a person who can adapt to any people, culture, or environment. I don’t meet strangers and I can communicate with anyone.
Motto: Lead, follow or get out of the way.
Attended St. Gabriel’s Catholic School through 6th grade.
Started C.M. Eppes in 7th grade under Ms. Gertrude Pope; band under Mr. Johnny Wooten. Transferred to J.H. Rose High School for 11th grade and graduated 1970. Worked Job Corp at Carver Library until graduation.
Member of York Memorial AME Zion Church and choir, taught Sunday School and a Delegate to the Annual Conference. Attended East Carolina University and graduated February 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Worked at Pitt County Memorial Hospital. Joined the US Army Nurse Corp and served in San Antonio, TX, and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. Attended Army’s Nurse Practitioner Course and served at Fort Ord, CA four and a half years in Pusan Korea for a year. San Antonio, TX for Officer Advanced Course then to Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg, NC.
Left Active duty and joined US Army Reserves at 350th MASH in Greenville NC and served, honorably discharged as Major, while working full time at Veterans Administration Medical Center in Fayetteville NC as RN and Nurse Practitioner. Total of 33 years Nursing from Jail, Home Health, Pediatric Services of America, Easter Seals, Operation Sickle Cell, Private Duty, Crisis Management, School Nurse, Employee Health, etc. Attended Masters Program in Health Care Administration at Central Michigan University on Fort Bragg 1986.
Missionary since 1992. Received a triple Bachelor Degree in Pastoral Counseling, Christian Education and Church Administration, then served as Dean of External Degree Program for Amora Deliverance Theological Institute in US, Germany and Italy. Licensed Minister 2005, Ordained Elder 2007, Volunteer Chaplain at Fayetteville VA and Womack on Fort Bragg and presently Graphics Coordinator at Kingdom Impact Global Ministries, Fayetteville, NC.
Linda Joyce Ebron Ellerbe
What are your memories of attending J. H. Rose HigH School?
The class of 1970 was the transitional class during the time of integration. Since this was the first year of integration, my memories are few. I do recall there were separate prom nights (whites had their prom and blacks had their prom). I do know I was very intelligent while attending J.H. Rose High and excelled in all of my studies. As I have grown even more mature, I am not sure in today’s world with all of the events that are and have occurred, integration did not and has not worked well.
Today, African Americans and other minorities are still facing the same discrimination as we did in the 60s and 70s. It is interesting, that after 50 years, in February 2020 there was a Black History Program at the school I had graduated from and that was the first time I had stepped foot on the grounds! Dr. Brenda James Fairfax
Favorite Teacher: C. M. Eppes High School was Ms. Smith, who taught physical education.
What has your employment career been like?
I began my career with the Department of Defense as a civil servant in 1974 on Fort Belvoir, VA. I worked in clerical positions, and when my husband, Franklin, got transferred to Germany, we moved to Germany in January 2006 where I served as a Secretary for the 293rd Engineer Battalion. Upon returning to the USA in September 1978 I worked in various positions in the Pentagon. I also worked at Headquarters, Marine Corps. Being afforded the opportunity to work in Europe and the United States, I retired from a successful 33+ years of federal service in 2008 as Information Assurance Manager for a Defense Agency with responsibility for over 5000 employees.
What are you doing today?
Prior to retirement from federal service, I wanted a fun job, so I formed Nomadic Star Travel, LLC in 2006. My travels for business and personal reasons sparked my interest in travel. I have traveled to every continent, except Antarctica! I continue to operate the full-service agency, Nomadic Star Travel, LLC
What College or University did you attend after high school?
Bachelor of Arts, Park University (St. Louis, MO), Computer Information Systems
Master’s Degree, Webster University (St. Louis, MO)
Level III Program Management, Defense Systems Management College, Information Resources Management College (National Defense University – Belvoir, VA)
Computer Resources and Information Management, Information Resources Management College (National Defense University – Fort McNair, Washington, DC)
Senior Executive Fellows Program (Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA)
Doctorate in Education (Nova Southeastern University, Davies, FL)
Dr. Brenda James Fairfax
2023 Outstanding Alumni of the Year
Do you think integration worked as a whole?
"Integration was indeed necessary but painful."
We were forced to be the “benchmark” of a transitional period in our city and country. Civil rights were considered a right of passage for white people while we as black people still struggled to even be recognized as humans. When entering the unwelcoming halls of JH Rose High school and leaving our “family” school of CM Eppes we had to maintain our focus to press toward our future goals.
This integration process was a factor in all our lives with respect to what our actual “goal” in life was. So many of us went on to do extraordinary things. There are many who have met with some moments of great tragedy and loss. We were a chosen and special group of people.…I believe that integration had a purpose but there is still much work to be done. In our community, WE must continue to TEACH and REACH our family and each other with the message of POWER AND CHANGE.
WE need to continue to EDUCATE ourselves and our community concerning GENERATIONAL WEALTH, CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS,VOTING RIGHTS, AND STRIVE TO BE BETTER.
Having said that….I learned to NEVER FORGET how those days at Rose made me feel. I learned that being my best self is influenced by how my leaders (teachers) impacted my life. The leaders (teachers) who impacted my life prior to the Rose High experience were instrumental in helping me through. Integration is still very much a WORK IN PROGRESS. The WORK Continues. I am so humbled to be able to pass on these stories to my children and grandchildren so they will continue to strive for equality.
Motto: I AM HUPERNIKAO (MORE THAN A CONQUEROR)
Highest Degree Earned:
College/University attended: A & T State University, Pitt Community College, Home Economics Education and Environmental Science
Places Employed/Positions Held: Restaurant General Manager for Hardee’s, Lab Analyst, Burroughs Wellcome Company/Certified Trainer, Thermo Fisher Scientific (currently retired)
Special Awards or Recognitions: Crown and Scepter Honor Society National Honor Society RECAST(Regional Eastern Carolina Affirmative Student Training) member: Women With Purpose Member
Activities/Hobbies: Outreach Mission Work; President, Wilson Family Reunion
Teacher(s) Who Inspired You Most: Mrs. Jackie Ferebee: 7th grade at South Greenville School; Mrs. Bell, Girl scout leader at South Greenville School; Mr. Johnny Wooten band instructor at CM Eppes High School;
Mr. Bobby Smith, Math teacher at CM Eppes High School; Mrs. Ella Harris French and black history teacher at CM Eppes High school
Nina Faye Price Blackwell
Do you think integration worked?
“My personal experience in the transition to J. H. Rose High School was one of very mixed emotions. It was one of uncertainty as to the expectations given the history of slavery and poverty in African American families and communities. I felt unaccepted as an individual and traumatized because of the environment of anger, bitterness, upheaval, and racism. I believe that integration worked as a whole. If nothing else, it provided the opportunity for African Americans to be the benefactor of better facilities and academic resources.”
Teacher(s) who inspired you the most:
“Teachers that inspire me are Mr. Johnny Wooten and Ms. Naomi Crandle”
Motto: Mediocracy is the enemy of success
Dr. Alice F. Wiggins Joyner served as Chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Virginia State University from 2011 to 2018. As Department Chair, she assumed the leadership of all departmental functions and supported the achievement of the University’s mission.
Dr. Joyner also formerly served as the Assistant Dean for Outreach and Economic Development. In this role she provided leadership for the Outreach unit at VSU. She planned and implemented community based educational and economic development programs. Dr. Joyner’s work encompassed utilizing a broad array of strategies to establish and execute systems for dissemination of programs. Further, in her role she employed various vehicles for assessing internal and external community needs; work to identify and draw upon qualified human capital as facilitators to conduct training and development. Finally, she was tasked with creating networks and communication channels to provide citizens access to programs at Virginia State University.
Dr. Joyner was also employed by Virginia Tech in its Extension Division for over nineteen years, serving as an Extension Agent as well as Director of the Petersburg Extension Office. She provided leadership for the unit, supervised employees, planned, coordinated, implemented, and evaluated educational programs based on needs and issues germane to the City of Petersburg and the State of Virginia.
Dr. Joyner is the CEO and President of Destiny Consultant, LLC where she provides consulting services for nonprofits which offers technical assistance, training and development, evaluation services, and fund development. Her efforts also support and provide organizational leaders comprehensive training with respect to assisting organizations with fulfilling their missions, strategic planning, and the fundamentals of serving their clients.
What are you doing today?
Dr. Joyner is a member of numerous Associations, and community committees, boards, and foundations. In particular, she is serving as a consultant and Board member of Community Transformers Foundation wherein she is Vice Chairman. With this organization she also also seerves as the program coordinator as to implement outreach programs amid the COVID 19 crisis. She also serves on the Board of Dominion Counseling and Training Center as teacher, facilitator and prayer minister.
After being ordained into the office of Missionary by Noah’s Ark Church in Greenville, North Carolina in 1982, she moved to Virginia and became the Pastor of New Zion Church, Petersburg, Virginia. Additionally, she was ordained a Prophet and Apostle of our Lord in 2012 by Agapa Outreach Ministries. She also served as Chief Apostle at Word of Faith Ministries in Petersburg, Virginia from 2010 to 2015. She is affiliated with Christ Miracle Church where she serves as an Elder and the Bishop’s Chaplain. Thus, I have been intensely involved in ministry.
Dr. Alice F. Wiggins Joyner
2022 Outstanding Alumni of the Year
one of our teachers
Describe the climate and racial energy in the year 1969.
Prior to “Forced” integration”, we had “Token” integration or “Freedom of Choice” in which light skinned people from prominent families in our neighborhoods were selected to do a trial run. Most of these children had attended private or The Catholic School.
What were some of the challenges and problems you encountered during this integration year?
“They invited us to their home, but they were not prepared for us. I had to share a classroom with teachers who did not want me there and would intentionally refuse to allow me access to my classroom space during my assigned teaching. We lost a lot of students from both Eppes and Rose from bitterness and fighting. Prior to integration, Rose was a school for the high society wealthy and the poor whether black and whites were not readily accepted. White teachers, parents and students would complain that the Black teachers were not qualified or were not smart enough to teach their children.
In other words, they belittled my qualifications and ability to teach their children. White parents took their children out of Rose and sent them to other white schools. We noticed blacks would be readily targeted and picked fights with blonde girls. Rose left pictures of blacks picking cotton and working in their fields hanging around campus.” … “Although Eppes had limited resources…I did my best teaching probably with a piece of chalk and a blackboard and a textbook.”
“They demolished our school and took us away from our historically black school.”
Teachers from Eppes who taught Mrs. Jones:
Mr. Alan Murrell, Mrs. Selena Davenport, Mrs. Mildred Thompson, Mrs. Olga Myers
Colleges/Universities Attended:
A & T University 1949-1953; Studied at: NC Central, Yale University, Howard University. East Carolina University
Schools where Mrs. Jones taught: Kittrell College South Ayden, (12 yrs-grades 9-12, all black)
C.M. Eppes High School (3 years, all black school); J. H. Rose High School-(first year integration) Total of 42 yrs. She retired but for many years she worked as a substitute teachers.
Married & Family Life:
Spouse: The late Bishop Stephen Jones. Lived just blocks from C.M. Eppes High School. Currently reside there today. Never had any children but loved young people. Her students were her children.
Who inspired you to become a teacher?
Mrs. Lena Brown and Mrs. Olga Myers
How did you see your role as a teacher for the black students and families affected by integration?
“I don’t teach white students.” “I don’t teach black students.” ... “I just teach.” “I love teaching”
Mrs. Virginia Jones (English)
Was integration good or bad?
Personally, is a dichotomous answer; Meaning that I saw some positive and negative aspects, at the time. On the negative side: Being forced to remove ourselves from our familiar surroundings, and culture to involve ourselves into the unfamiliar surroundings and culture.
Going into an environment, where we were neither welcomed nor wanted. Having to prove Ourselves academically to instructors and leaders, who had no obvious vested interests in our success. Nor did they have expectations for our achievements. They, as well as we, had a fear of the unknown.
We experienced violence, jeers, and utterly disrespectful behavior toward us.
However, on the positive side, we were exposed to a different culture, firsthand. We got more access to different academic offerings. We were able to make friends that some of us never forgot.
For me personally, I was able to participate in school activities, that were not an option for me before (school newspaper, cheerleading, Honor Society, drama club) I found some instructors (not all) did concern themselves with my academic success, Therefore, there was some good and some bad.
Motto: “In the middle of every difficulty, lies opportunity.” Albert Einstein
Gloria Brewington-Person
How would you describe your personal experience?
Ella Elizabeth Tyson Harris (Teacher)
Our class of 1970 was the transitional class during the time of integration to J. H. Rose High School.
I feel that in my position as a teacher and a scholar, I modeled the best for students to emulate in this new and “trying situation.” Keep your eye on the prize – get the best education --- rise above them all. Those who followed this sound doctrine have lived and worked to tell about it.
Motto: “Give to the world the best that you have and the best will come back to you”
“If you fall, fall on your back for if you can look up, ...
you can get up.” - Les Browne
I do not know if desegregation or integration worked, I could only speculate on the comparison of then versus later. Over-all, I believe that desegregation/integration in schools eventually gave Black children different experiences with different people and exposure to schools with more resources.
For me, the experience was traumatic but motivating. In 1969 it was traumatic to move into an unwelcoming environment of unknowns and strong racial challenges. My motivation to get my diploma and leave the experience helped me survive. I cannot remember what I learned during that transition period.
My fondness, most rewarding learning experiences remain with South Greenville Elementary School and C.M. Eppes High School, non-segregated, fewer resources; but professional, well-rounded, supportive, great teachers who invested in building my education and moral character.
Effie Jean Williams Jefferson