Page 23 - some-stuff-i-wrote-and-some-stuff-i-didn't-(2011)-h-morris-williams

Some Stuff I Wrote and Some Stuff I Didn't (2011) H. Morris Williams

Column April 15, 2007

A FOND FAREWELL. GERTRUDE PETERSON (CHS 1921)

Gertrude Peterson (CHS 1921), our oldest CHS graduate, died last
Tuesday in Jacksonville at age 103.

Gertrude was a remarkable student at CHS. She was the Business
Manager of the first CHS yearbook (called “Home Runs” ) and she was
voted “ Most Popular Girl.” She was also the Treasurer and class poet of
her nine-member senior class and her yearbook inscription read “She has
proven herself to be wise and true --and better than gold.” Her nickname
was “ Shorty” , her favorite pastimes were playing piano and dancing, and
her favorite expression was “That darn thing.”

As an adult, Gertrude was warm, gracious, and formal. I audio taped an
interview with her ten years ago in her home and I immediately knew I was
in the presence of the embodiment of a refined, well-bred, highly
educated, elegant Southern lady.

Rest in peace, Gertrude Peterson, the very definition of high-minded,
magnanimous woman hood.

THANKS, BOB KENNEY

*Huge School Museum thanks to friend Bob Kenney who has donated a
13” x 21 ” lithograph of Lake City in 1885. The panoramic depiction,
encased in a protective plastic covering, has such clarity you can even
see the street names. A numerical legend shows the location of 49
points of interest. Some are:

*Schools: Florida Agricultural College, Peabody High School (later CHS),
and the Richardson Academy.

*Churches: Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, and the
“colored” Methodist and Baptist churches.

*Government: Court House, Post Office

*Residences: The Bigelows, Bayas, Youngs, Porters, Watts, Futches, etc.

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