Blog 123: Precious Moments with Mrs. Arlene McCorkle (She Read All Published Blogs in One Sitting)

By Vernon M. Herron

Mrs. Arlene Stewart McCorkle, 97 is still dear in the hearts of students she taught at Second Ward High School in Charlotte, North Carolina 65 years ago. For two years, she was the faculty advisor for the class of ’47 consisting of 79 members.

Recently, Mrs. McCorkle expressed a desire to read all published Herron Speaks blogs which included many references to her. (See blogs 17, 18, 19, 61, 68, 69 and 70). All 122 blogs were given to this sage for review. She read them all in one sitting.

When Vernon Herron went to Mrs. McCorkle’s home to retrieve the loan copy of blogs,  an idea was born; have all back copies bound into a book; name the book, The A.S. McCorkle’s Copy of Herron Speaks Blogs (on loan).The former beloved teacher said that the visit was memorable and precious. It gave the hostess moments to reflect on her investment into the lives of students who had gone on to succeed in life and who are now doing well.

While this class advisor expressed abundant joy at her student’s writing, and that these moments of reflection were “precious” to her soul, brother Herron reminded the teacher that it was she who first planted the seed in him of creative thought and writing skills.

On Wednesday July 27, 2011, family, friends and former students joined in the celebration of her 96^th birthday. Today she is still mentally alert though unable to walk.