Cora Cox McKinney
Norman Elementary Teacher
Cora (Cox) McKinney was a soft-spoken, lovely person. She taught first grade at Norman from 1928 to 1966. Miss McKinney, as the kids all called her, had a way with children. She could turn the shy beginner into an outgoing youngster who enjoyed learning.
The huge two-and-one-half story school set atop the hill at the crossroads in Norman. Those children who lived in town walked up the twisting dirt road or walked a well-worn path almost straight up the hill from the highway. I believe that the path was worn by the children who lived at CVA and on the short street that separated CVA from the Mt. Ida Highway.
An old incinerator was located at the back of the Girl’s Dormitory and each day as the children passed by the kitchen door, along the alley, they passed the incinerator where there was invariably a fire still smoldering. It was almost impossible for a day to pass that some youngster didn’t stop to piddle in that fire and have to run to catch up, or be late for school.
The path continued down the hill and past the Pinkertons and Driggers homes, gathering more kids as the group travelled. No one seemed to worry about the kids crossing the highway, as there weren’t so many cars in those days.
It was a long, steep climb up the hill and the kids would sometimes hold hands, pulling each other along. Sometimes a tree was used to retain balance if the footing was icy or muddy.
For those who lived out in the rural areas the school bus brought them through town and around the imposing hill to school.
Cora began her own education at Norman Public School in 1912, only three short years after the school opened. She went on to Caddo Valley Academy where she was in the 1924 graduating class.
After graduation she attended the Normal School for teachers at Mount Ida, taught by T.A. Humble. Cora was a bright student and easily passed the test, earning her certificate. During the summer of 1924-25, Cora taught her first classes at Sardis School. Those first terms she was paid a salary of $45, with $15 of that going toward room and board, leaving her only $1.50 per day in spendable wages.
In the summer of 1926, she drove a one-seated Ford coupe the four miles to the Sardis School, saving the boarding money.
After she taught the 1924 summer school at Sardis, she began her first regular term at Norman Public School, in September 1924. That first year she had fifty-six fifth graders; the second year the taught the third and fourth grades.
Cora married Gilbert McKinney on May 6, 1926, at Mount Ida. She continued teaching, at Liberty in the summer months and then to Black Springs in the fall, where she taught grades one to three. She had fewer students at Black Springs, but was paid a higher salary than at Sardis.
In September 1928, Cora came back to Norman where she taught first grade until her retirement. She took a leave of absence for six years while raising her daughter, and only child, Joy Dell.
During the Depression when funds were not available the Norman School term was cut back to seven months. However, some parents came to Cora and asked her to continue the other two months by subscription. She was paid in money or goods, including a couple of quilts.
Cora was born at Red Bird, Arkansas on April 13, 1906, to Reece Watkins Cox and Nancy Rhoda (Perrin) Cox. She passed away February 7, 1992 and is buried at Mt. Gilead Cemetery, near Black Springs. Gilbert died at Hot Springs on November 8, 1993. He is also buried at Mt. Gilead. Gilbert was the son of Terrel C. McKinney and Margaret Almedia (Smith) McKinney.
Cora had a bright smile and a kind word for all she met. She loved teaching and she loved children. Even with as many as 50 students to a class she was always in control, through her soft-spoken words, the kids knew she meant business.
In a small sawmill town where everyone knew everyone else and a teacher had to be diplomatic to hold discipline and not make enemies of the parents, Cora did so with ease. Cora and Gilbert McKinney had a great impact upon the Norman community.