The Two-Room Schoolhouse
It stood squarely and resolutely on the grounds of Rosemary Baptist Church which is located in section 35, township 13 north, range 8 east; its purpose was to provide the three R's to the children of Bussey, Cochrane, Flatwoods, Miller's Hill, and Oliver's Bend.
When was its foundation laid, the last board nailed into place, and the roof attached? If there are records, they are long lost to the ravages and/or carelessness of Father Time. It lives only in the memories of those children, now in their twilight years, who passed through its two doors.
It was at this school and church that I learned to love the Bible. Each day was begun with a song of praise and a Biblical quotation; we were dismissed with a song of thanksgiving and a prayer.
Love for and compassion toward others were the order of the day. Oh, we had our little spats and scuffles, but they were often forgotten as soon as the tears dried. We were like a family - that was the most important lesson to be learned.
It nearly broke my heart when, due to desegregation orders, the little school was disbanded. When the doors, which had never been locked before, were shut for the final time, a part of me was locked inside the tiny building.
Sylvia