Blog 146: Approaching 100th Birthdays: The Stories of Mesdames Bernidene Pinkney and Arlene S. McCorkle

By Vernon M. Herron

Photographs by William Youngblood

Proofread by Barbara Hendricks

Technical assistance by Alex Waters & Joe Burton

     When the class of 1947 finished Second Ward High School of Charlotte, NC 66 years ago, we left many teachers there to continue a ministry of molding young minds and hearts toward doing God’s will.

     We know two of them who still live today. Both are approaching their 100^th birthdays, Mesdames Bernidene Pinkney and Arlene S. McCorkle. On August 10, 2013, Mrs. Pinkney will observe her 100th birthday, while plans are being made for Mrs. McCorkle’s 100^th birthday on July 27, 2015.

     Mrs. Bernidene Pinkney of Silver Spring, MD was born August 10, 1913. After a good elementary, secondary and post-secondary education, she married a Presbyterian minister. They became parents of one daughter, Mrs. H.B. Samuel. 

     Mrs. Pinkney taught school in Brunswick, GA. and Charlotte, NC. For several years, she taught English and Family Relationship at Charlotte’s Second Ward High School.

     It is fitting to recognize “Miss Pinkney” on her 100^th birthday.

     Mrs. Arlene McCorkle was born Arlene Kate Stewart July 27, 1915, daughter of Brown and Roxie Stewart, farmers in rural Charlotte, NC. She had five brothers.

     Arlene Kate went to elementary school at five years of age, graduated from Second Ward High School at 15 years of age after completing the limited eleventh grade. She graduated from North Carolina College for Negroes, now N.C. Central University, where she was an honor student.

     She married Parish P. McCorkle, a school principal and taught at Second Ward High School for 31 years. Her daughter and caregiver, Elizabeth Rose McCorkle Kitterman says that plans are far in the developmental stage for a 100^th birthday celebration on July 27, 2015 for Mrs. McCorkle. It will be based on “This is Your Life” story format. 

     YOU ARE INVITED TO THE PARTY!!!!

     

     Additional pictures from Mrs. McCorkle’s yesteryears are below.