Stories

Dr. Homer Day

We honor Dr. Homer Day of Tifton, Ga, formerly of Willacoochee, Ga, for being the first Black man from Atkinson County to be named president of a university, namely Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. After graduating from Atkinson County Training School, Dr. Day earned his bachelor’s degree from Savannah State University in 1966, and his master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Fort Valley State University in 1972. He later earned his Ed.D. in higher education administration and supervision, in 1980, from Auburn University. Dr. Day first joined ABAC in 1972, as assistant director of financial aid, serving in that role until 1974. Throughout his nearly 30-year career with the institution, he had served as an assistant professor in the College’s Social Science Division (1973-80), as director of Cooperative Education Programs (1974-78), and as director of the institution’s Career Planning and Placement Center (1978-80). He also taught in the Tift County public schools. After serving in many different administrative positions at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, in Tifton, Georgia, he was appointed to the position of the institution’s interim president by Chancellor Stephen R. Portch. Dr. Day began his presidency on August 1, 2000. Dr. Day received the Stafford Award from the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce for his unwavering support to the Tifton community. Dr. Homer Day we salute you.

On June 5th, 2023 a portion of Dixie Avenue was renamed to Dr. Homer Day Avenue in honor of his 30 years of service. Read More

Dr. Johnnie Mae Swinson

We honor Dr. Johnnie Mae Swinson, formerly Johnnie Mae Gaskins, for becoming the first coach in Atkinson County to win a state basketball championship. Her 1966 girls team went undefeated that year, and earned the school their first ever girls state title.

Dr. Swinson graduated from Atkinson County Training school and went on to further her education by earning her undergraduate degree at Morris Brown College, in Atlanta, Ga. She then returned to her Alma Mater to teach and coach. During her tenue at Atkinson County Training School, Dr. Swinson earned the respect of her students and was the role-model they all admired. Known for her tenacious coaching style, her impeccably sharp wardrobe, and her 'Phenomenal Woman's' strut, she was acclaimed throughout the South Georgia area.

Following a successful reign at her home school, Dr. Swinson then relocated to Waycross, Ga and taught at the college level for many years. She earned her doctorate degree in theology as well as a Master’s Degree in education and began her life in ministry.

Dr. Swinson is the co-founder of Faith Temple Ministries and Victory Way Christian Center, where she serves as Five-Fold Teacher, the Administrator and the Director of Education. She is a multitalented teacher of the gospel who God has anointed to help bring inner healing and restoration. In addition to the mandate of teaching the Word, God called Dr. Swinson to develop a ministry designated to empower and educate the community locally with the tools for restoring women, marriages and families that have been damaged, broken or destroyed. She has a mandate to develop the Titus 2 Women's Ministry in the aged women and to mentor the next generation of women for ministry in the body of Christ. Forever the teacher, Dr. Swinson has amassed quite a following and continues her quest to educate and transform lives. She can be found teaching her weekly God's Cover Girls session every Monday, at the Family Life Center located at 915 Crawford St. In Waycross, Ga.

Elder Willie Edward McCoy

We honor Elder Willie Edward McCoy of Brumswick, Ga. Elder McCoy is a 1964 graduate of Atkinson County Training School and went on to become the first black policeman to be promoted to the rank of Captain with the Glynn County Police Force. He has since retired and is currently the pastor of The House of God which is the Church of the Living God Pillar Ground and Truth, in two locations; Valdosta and Brumswick, Ga. Elder McCoy is married to his wife Alma and is the father of 5 children.

Rev. Bettye Drayton-Williams

We honor Rev. Bettye Drayton-Williams, the first Black mayor of Pearson, GA. Rev. Williams graduated with honors from Atkinson County Training School in 1966 and was a standout basketball player. She was a 1966 state champion basketball team member and still holds the record in the school's history of scoring the most points in a single game. She attended Savanah State University and received a BS in Elementary Education upon graduation. She returned to her hometown, where she taught school until her retirement. She has served on numerous boards and ran a nonprofit Community Center for after-school students in the city. Rev. Williams is the pastor of Allen Chapel AME Church in Sandybottom and has two daughters and 1 son who is deceased.

Shirley Frazier Cooper

We honor Shirley Frazier Cooper for becoming the first Black from Atkinson County to co-author two math books and to author the accompanying math workbook in Algebra I. Her math books were titled Algebra I Explorations and Applications and Algebra II Explorations and Applications. Published by The McDougal Littell Company, both books were used in school districts all across the United States. Shirley has served as a classroom teacher, District Supervisor of high school mathematics teachers for Dayton Public School District in Dayton, Ohio, and High School Assistant Principal for Meadowdale High School and Ponitz Career Academy in Dayton. During this tenure, she was honored to speak and train teachers on the local, state, and national levels for the Ohio Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. After a gratifying career in education, Shirley has since retired and returned home, where she currently serves on the Atkinson County Board of Education. She is a member of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church Sandybottom and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

Peggy Cooper

We honor Peggy Cooper for being the first Black to run for City Council in Pearson, GA. She graduated from Savannah State University with a degree in Secondary Mathematics Education and went on to teach in Georgia and Ohio. She eventually retired from education and pursued a career in the Georgia penal system, where she retired as an Assistant Warden of Coffee Correctional Facility in Nicholls, GA. Hats off to Warden Peggy Cooper for making us proud.

Vernon Taylor

We honor Vernon Taylor of Fredericksburg, VA, who became the first Black American to be named Director of Off Duty Voluntary Education (VOLED) at Marine Corps Headquarters in Quantico, Virginia. After graduating high school in Pearson, GA, Vernon joined the armed forces, where he later initiated and led the implementation of the Sailor-Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript, known as (SMART). SMART was later renamed 'Joint Services Transcript' or (JTS). He also received the Superior Civilian Service Award from the United States Marine Corps and the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dorothy Pope Vickers

We honor the late Dorothy Pope Vickers for becoming the first black, licensed- state board-certified beautician in Pearson, Ga. After graduating from Atkinson County Training School, she attended Myers Beauty School in 1963, then located on West Broad St. in Savannah, Ga. Upon graduation from Myers, Dorothy returned to Pearson, where she practiced her trade, and then relocated to San Diego, California. She then settled in Atlanta, GA, where she retired years later. It is worth noting that Dorothy's husband, Aurtice Vickers, also became a state-certified beautician, becoming the first black male from Pearson to do so.

Sammie Lee Newson

We honor Sammie Lee Newson for becoming the first Black mayor of Willacoochee, Georgia. He served the people of this community for 12 years. Sammie is a 1967 graduate of ‘The Atkinson County Training School,’ where he was a standout basketball player and a state championship basketball team member. Thank you, Sam, for contributing to Atkinson County's Black History!

Evelyn Williams née Jackson

We honor Evelyn Williams née Jackson, from Willacoochee, GA for becoming the first Black to teach Adult Basic Education in Atkinson County. Evelyn taught for 32 years in Florida and Georgia and served as a member on the Board of Election Committee. She is the proud mother of 3 children, and 4 grandchildren. She treasures the 50 years of singing with her brothers and sisters in their gospel group. Evelyn currently serves as an Elder at the House Of God Church, in Willacoochee, GA. Thank you so much for contributions to our community.

Troy Jackson and Sisters

We honor Troy Jackson and Sisters from Willacoochee, GA, for becoming the first Black Gospel recording artists to hail from Atkinson County. The group, known initially as Troy Jackson and the Jacksonnettes, consisted of State Elder Troy Jackson, Elder Ricky Jackson, Elder Evelyn Jackson Williams, Dr. Andrew Jackson, Ethel Jackson Robinson, Martha Jackson Carswell, Alice Jackson Lane, and Carolina Jackson Hall. The Jacksons began singing early in their family’s church. They soon performed together in church services in the local area, sometimes singing songs written and arranged by their mother and other family members. Later, they were blessed to travel all over the United States, singing in churches and at concerts with notable gospel greats! Hats off to the Jackson family for a job well done.

Bessie Mae Vickers

We honor Bessie Mae Vickers for being hired as the first Black Secretary and bookkeeper for the Atkinson County Board of Education.

Raymond Tomblin

We honor Mr. Raymond Tomblin for being named the first Black to serve as Director of the Willacoochee Senior Citizen Program and facility. Congratulations on your appointment!

Eva Mae Johnson Perkins

We honor the legendary, larger-than-life Mrs. Eva Mae Johnson Perkins. Mrs. Perkins was the principal of Willacoochee Elementary School. A native of Willacoochee, GA, and a graduate of Georgia Normal High School in Albany, Ga. She received a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from Albany State College in 1947, a Master’s degree in Administration from Atlanta University, and her T-5 certification in Elementary Education in 1958. She continued pursuing education with further training at West Georgia College and the University of Georgia. Mrs. Perkins was an educator, administrator, community leader, and gifted speaker who gave forty-three years of her life to her passion, educating youth and adults in the State of Georgia Public School System. She spent twenty – three years as the principal of Willacoochee Public School. She was a member of various organizations and the recipient of many awards. In 1968, she was honored by the Atkinson County School Family for her twenty-three years of service to Willacoochee’s youth. In 1981, she received the “Black Leadership Award” as the former Willacoochee Public School System principal, former student, and community leader. Due to integration and the unfair practices of the system, Mrs. Perkins was removed from her position as a principal and placed in a ‘newly created position’ in the ATCO Middle School building. Because of this mistreatment, she resigned and made the quantum leap to relocate to Atlanta, Georgia. Despite these unfair conditions due to integration policies, Mrs. Perkins remained devoted to her passion and continued in her quest to educate for years to come. While in Atlanta, she was one of the founding members of the Greenbriar Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association. She received their first “Women of the Year” award. She was a life member of the Eastern Star, P.H.A., and was active in the Arena Chapter in Atlanta. Mrs. Perkins was a devout Baptist and served in many leadership capacities at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Willacoochee; and played an integral part in missionary outreach before moving to Atlanta. After relocating, she joined the Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church and continued her service life. The legendary Mrs. Eva Mae Perkins made the transition to her heavenly Father’s call on September 3, 2000, leaving her husband, Mr. Albert Perkins (deceased), three sons, Larry, George (deceased), and Donn (deceased, who is also featured in our local Black History) to celebrate and commemorate her luminous life.

Willie James Cooper

We honor the late Willie James Cooper for being a trailblazer of business and education in Atkinson County, Pearson, GA. In 1971, Mr. Cooper became one of the first Black males to teach at the newly integrated Atkinson County High School, with Mr. Robert Edwards being the other. After graduating as Valedictorian from The Atkinson County Training School, he attended Savannah State University. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in General Science (becoming the first in his family to do so). He taught high school biology, chemistry, and physical science his entire career. In 1968, he was drafted into the army and served his country for two years, including a tour in Vietnam. Upon returning home, Mr. Cooper further solidified his place in Black History by opening and operating the first Black Gulf Service Station and the first Black-owned dry-cleaning business in the county, namely Nu-Way Cleaners. Both companies provided much-needed, respectable jobs for numerous Black men and women while declaring to all that we, as a people, were capable of much more than fieldwork. Mr. Cooper married Lena Johnson and was a devoted family man who declared that his most significant life accomplishments were "Roderick and Ryan." Mr. Cooper was a lifelong member of Allen Chapel Ame Sandybottom, Georgia, and worked tirelessly on the upkeep of his beloved church.

Sarah Nell Johnson Keyton

We honor Dr. Sarah Nell Johnson Keyton as one of the first students to integrate Atkinson County High School, Pearson, GA. Her strength, perseverance, and determination paved the way for future generations of color to enroll at an institution once designated for “whites only.” After graduation, Sarah then began her post-secondary education at Savannah State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics; Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA; M. Ed degree in Mathematics • Atlanta Area Technical School, Atlanta, GA; Real Estate Certification, • Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA; Teacher Support Specialist Certification, • Argosy University; Doctor of Education in Curriculum Writing and Instruction Sarah, a proud Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. member, is now a retired educator. She taught Junior High and mainly High School Mathematics for 33 years in Fulton County—Atlanta, Georgia. She was also the Mathematics Department Chair for 25 years, a Teacher Support Specialist for 15 years, and a Virtual School Instructor for five years. Sarah enjoys walking, reading, and browsing bookstores. God, church, family, her communities, and the lives she touches are essential to her. Sarah believes God wants her to be physically and spiritually fit. She keeps physically fit by walking and spiritually through study, prayer, meditation, attending worship services and Sunday school, and journaling. Her favorite scriptures are Isaiah 26:3, Hosea 4:6, and Psalm 23:1.

Donn Perkins

We honor the late Airman - Captain Donn Perkins, the first Black pilot to hail from Atkinson County, Willacoochee, Ga. After graduating high school, Donn attended Fort Valley State University from 1971-1975. He joined the Navy in 1976, and from 1976 to 1983, he was a Navy Bomber Pilot with the call sign "Black Duck." While in the Navy, he flew the DC-9 and the Boeing fleet. In 1983, he became a pilot for US Airways. Captain Perkins was a 26-year resident of Charlotte, NC, family man, community leader, financial expert, and philanthropist. He firmly believed in education, helping fund scholarships and college educations for many residents. On August 18, 2016, Captain Perkins entered eternal rest. He left one son and two grandchildren to cherish his memory.