Blog 172: A Reflection of Thornton Baker (TB) Haynes

By Rufus Spears and Vernon M. Herron

     When the 78 students who comprised the class of ’47, finished the Second Ward High School in Charlotte, NC, a prominent student, Thornton Baker (TB) Haynes, with a prominent family name, was in the number. TB passed on Sunday, 19 January 2014, leaving 13 of his original classmates to carry on. TB and Vernon Herron knew each other for 72 years.

     He was born in Charlotte, NC, September 3, 1929 to Ethel and Theodore Haynes. His mother was the popular President of Second Ward High School PTA, and a major figure with the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company. His beloved and late wife of 34 years, Geraldine Bartley, was also a member of the class of ’47 at Second Ward.
     At Second Ward, TB  participated in Track and Field.  In 1946, the Piedmont Colored High School Athletic Association (PCHSAA) started the sport of track in its member schools.  Second Ward High School formed a team. Thornton B. Haynes (TB) began his track career as a star sprinter.  He ran the 100-yard dash, the 220 and he was the anchor man for the 440 relay team.  The team won the conference and State Championships in 1946 and 1947.   

     After graduation from high school, TB attended North Carolina College (North Carolina Central University) in Durham, NC on a full track scholarship.  There he ran the 100, 220, 440, 880 and the medley relay.  He was later inducted into  Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated.  TB graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.   

     Thereafter he attended Boston University to pursue advanced studies.  In 1952 he entered the U.S. Army and served until 1954; and received an honorable discharge in 1961.  TB received his Certification as a secondary school teacher from Johnson C. Smith University in 1956 and went on to teach biology at Voorhees College in Denmark, SC until 1959.  He started his career at the United States Postal Service in 1959, where he stayed until 1970.

     After obtaining his Master’s in Public Health from UNC Chapel Hill in 1971, he began his career with the City of Charlotte as a Public Health Educator.  He then went on to serve as a Program Manager for the Division of Health Services for the state of North Carolina.  While there he worked with the Sickle Cell Syndrome Program and received numerous certifications in the field. 

      He was considered a pioneer by those who worked in the North Carolina Sickle Cell Program.  He was one of the first four state employees in the program as the first regional consultant in the western thirty four counties of the state, beginning in 1973.  In 1975 he became the first state Sickle Cell Program Manager dedicated to just the Sickle Cell Program. Under his leadership, the program grew with nine Educator Counselors and a Secretary. Now every newborn child in the state is tested for the Sickle Cell trait and those diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease are provided proper medical care.   

     Governor James E. Holshouser, Jr. named December 17, 1975 Thornton B. Haynes Day.  TB served as the Public Health Regional Director for the Western and South Central Region from 1977 to 199­4. Upon his retirement in 1994, Governor James B. Hunt Jr. awarded him the Long Leaf Pine Award. 

     He was a Life member of Greater Bethel AME Church, where he served as a trustee, steward, and Sunday school teacher. TB was very active in the church and received the Man of the Year award for his numerous contributions.  As part of his service he and his wife, Geraldine, would tape the services for the sick and shut in and deliver them to their homes.  He picked up and dropped off anyone who had a desire to attend church.  

      He loved to attend musical concerts and was very active in the community.  He was a member of the Tuesday Morning Breakfast Forum, Wednesday Morning Breakfast Group and Ministerial Alliance.  TB was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at North Carolina Central University on April 16, 1988 for his accomplishments with the track team.