Oral history with Zella Weathersby

              Oral history with Zella Weathersby
F341.5 . M57 vol. 710
Funding for this project provided by The Mississippi State Legislature, The Mississippi Humanities Council, The Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage at the University of Southern Mississippi.
This transcription of an oral history by the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage of The University of Southern Mississippi may not be reproduced or published in any form except that quotation of short excerpts of unrestricted transcripts and the associated tape recordings is permissible providing written consent is obtained from the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage. When literary rights have been retained by the interviewee, written permission to use the material must be obtained from both the interviewee and the Center for Oral History and Cultural Heritage. Please call ( 601) 266- 4574 for more information.
Biography
Zella McNair Weathersby was born January 1, 1929, in Mt. Olive, Mississippi. Her parents were James and Mary Magee McNair. She was the seventh of eleven children.
Mrs. Weathersby attended grade school at Lindwood in Mt. Olive and graduated from high school from Depriest ( now known as Earl Travillion) in Hattiesburg. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from Jackson State College in 1953 and later did graduate work in elementary education at Jackson State University and the University of Mississippi.
Mrs. Weathersby began teaching school in 1953 at Hopewell Attendance Center. In 1968, she was transferred to Collins Elementary School, becoming the first African American teacher in the previously all- white school. She retired in 1991. She continues to work as a substitute teacher. Mrs. Weathersby has also been co- owner of Venia Park Funeral Home in Collins since 1980.
Mrs. Weathersby is married to Arties Weathersby, a native of Simpson County. They have two daughters, Sheila and Leisha, and three grandchildren, Greg, Lauren Ashley, and Alexis. She continues to live in the Mt. Pleasant Community and is a longtime member of Mt. Pleasant C. M. E. Church.
Table of Contents
I. Growing up in Covington County
II. Education and school consolidation
III. Segregation
IV. Early teaching at Hopewell
V. Becoming the first African American to teach in Collins
VI. Adapting to changes from desegregation
VII. Substitute teaching
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