12/04/2025
To celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Fuquay Springs Teacherage this year, I’ve been posting about teachers that used to live here, from 1945 to 1968. And on Saturday, December 6 from 1-4 pm we’re celebrating the history of this building with an Open House/Anniversary party – and you’re invited! Learn it’s unique history when teachers once lived together here, have some cake, join a Round Table chat about ‘the way it was’ with former teachers and students and enter your favorite teacher into a drawing for a gift card.
Some of you may remember Marion Ballard and Mary Britt who both taught at Fuquay Springs School from 1958 to 1960 and lived in the Teacherage in those years.
I was put in touch with Marion and Mary in 2005 by Marion’s cousin, Fuquay-Varina resident Marilyn Gardner. I wrote to them asking for their recollections of Fuquay Springs School and the Teacherage. What I received was a letter that paints a colorful picture of their time there and really spurred our interest in its history.
Marion moved into the first floor of the Teacherage, in February of 1958. He taught middle school math and science and was the Science Club Advisor. Mary moved in nearly a year later in January of 1959 and would live on the 2nd floor, above Marion. She would teach history and social studies.
Principal E.N. Farnell’s wife, Gladys, was instrumental in Mary being hired. Gladys had previously known Mary’s mother, Pearl, and had in fact introduced Pearl to her future husband Leonard many years before. When Gladys found out that Pearl Britt’s daughter had applied for a teaching position, she made darn sure that her husband hired her.
The two young teachers first met at a water cooler in the school hallway. Who knows if sparks flew right then, but we do know that they fell in love, were married in 1960 and spent the next 64 years together ‘joined at the hip’. Yes, back then there was chemistry in the hallways of the Teacherage - and we’re not talking about the periodic tables type of chemistry.
Mary passed away in February 2025. Her obituary makes it clear that she lived a full and wonderful life with Marion. We’re grateful that they took the time to describe their two years spent together in the Teacherage back in 1958-1960. And here we share the letter that they wrote.
The Ballard Letter
Re: Fuquay Springs Teacherage
Eric and Mary,
Thanks for sending the pictures of the Teacherage. As you say, the condition had deteriorated rather badly. We did not recognize any of the names in your email. You may feel free to call us in you wish.
Below, we will try to recall some names and conditions relative to life in the Teacherage at the times we were there. Some names will be mentioned; however, when you see “ ” around a name, we are unsure of the name and/or the spelling.
The school principal was Ed Farnell; his wife, Gladys, taught at the school also. I moved in February, 1958 immediately after graduation from NC State and taught middle school math/science. My wife to be, Mary Britt, moved in January, 1959 after working as a youth director in a Methodist church. She had graduated from Greensboro College and taught history/social studies.
The apartment on the first floor was occupied by a widow, Mrs. Parrish and her two sons, David and ? . She did the cooking for all of us as she prepared breakfast and dinner Monday through Friday with a reduced menu on the weekend. The food was not fancy but well prepared and tasty. Meal time, especially dinner, was a fun time with a lot of laughter and joking.
The occupants of the Teacherage lived together very well. A TV was in the dining room and we don’t remember any major conflicts over who watched what program. If we remember correctly, there was not a lot of choice in those days. TV time usually meant snacks from the fridge where we were allowed to keep our favorite stuff as much as space would allow. A couple of the more affluent teachers has their own TV in the bedroom.
When Marion moved in in Feb, 1958, he roomed with a science teacher, Roland Pitts, on the first floor, back side. The following year, Pitts left and Marion moved across the hall to room with Fred Manley, agriculture teacher and with Lloyd Coleman, French teacher. They had two bedrooms with a bath in between on the street side of the building.
Howard and Audrey Cayton had occupied one of the bedrooms on the street side. With the addition of the third single male they then moved into the bedroom with private bath on the back side. This allowed the 3 guys to have their room arrangement. Howard and Audrey were a neat couple with Audrey teaching elementary grades and Howard teaching PE and coaching. During the 1959-1960 year, Howard injured his back and we all assisted his recovery with him rigged in traction in their bedroom.
Marion, Fred and Lloyd across the hall were terrible house keepers and Audrey had to fuss at us during the spring when we would open the windows and doors to allow the lint under the bed to blow into the hallway and into her tidy room.
The single ladies lived upstairs with Mary Britt in one bedroom, Another room was occupied by Anna Privott, math teacher and Eleanor Southerland, librarian. Anna had a little Chihuahua dog that was source of amusement at times in that he traveled everywhere with her. Another bedroom was occupied by Joyce Daughtrey, elementary and Patty Carr, elementary.
There was a turnover at the end of each year as teachers left to go to other schools. Some other names we recall are Anita Copeland, a couple who stayed for one year ,and another single teacher who stayed for one year. This occurred during the 2 ½ years Marion stayed at the Teacherage. Since most of the residents were single persons, there was a lot of traveling during the weekends going home, visiting friends etc.
The building was well suited to our needs at that time in life. If I remember correctly, the cost was $55.00 per month and without that low room and board a first year teacher could not live on a salary of $311.00 per month, for 9 months each year. You were allowed to live there when you taught summer school. The facility offered sufficient bathroom facilities with basically a bath for every 2-3 persons. It was always warm in the winter and provided good food and companionship. Students frequently came by to visit with a teacher or to seek some extra help in a subject.
Both of us moved out in June of 1960 after we were engaged and eventually moved to the Charlotte area. The Teacherage holds a special place with us because of our meeting there and later becoming engaged.
The late 50’s saw the growth of the 35mm slide for general picture taking and a few of us enjoyed this hobby. We have located and identified some slides to show a couple shots inside the building and people. We will send these to you and you can get prints if you wish.
Best wishes on your project. We wish God’s blessings on both of you.
Marion and Mary Ballard
