Good Grove Church members and alumni members. Photo submitted
Good Grove members looking at old photos. Photo submitted
Ruby Wright and Pastor Bobby Montgomery. Photo submitted
Young Good Grove Church member standing near historical exhibit. Photo submitted
Special to the News
Submitted by Mamie Ellis
On Sunday, February 23, Pastor Bobby Montgomery and members of the Good Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Nixburg visited the J. D. Thompson Alumni Association Museum in celebration of Black History Month.
Joetta Maxwell, Sheryl Borden, Unzell Kelley, Mamie Ellis, and Ruby Wright gave an oral history of Coosa County Training School/J.D. Thompson High School, starting in 1899 with founder and Principal John R. Savage, also highlighting Principal James D. Thompson, and ending in 1969 with James D. Bennett, principal when the high school closed.
There was lots of learning as the school’s history was told, and during the tour fun and laughter as former students and church members looked at old pictures, read historical articles and viewed larger artifacts on display.
Members of the church group expressed their appreciation that oral history is being passed down from one generation to the next about John R. Savage and the Coosa County Training School/J.D. Thompson High School in Cottage Grove.
The alumni appreciate Pastor Bobby Montgomery and the Good Grove Missionary Baptist Church for touring our museum. We also want to thank Joan Shealey, Felix Maxwell and Anthony Borden for their assistance with this tour.
