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Clara James McLeod (1903-1960)

Clara James McLeod was born in Florence, Mississippi, on December 21, 1903. Early in life, she decided to become a teacher. Throughout her college days at Millsaps, Belhaven, and Mississippi State College for Women, she prepared herself for this profession. Later she did post-graduate work at Millsaps College, Tulane University, George Peabody College for teachers, University of Colorado, the University of California at Los Angeles, and Mississippi College. She was awarded the Master of Education degree from Mississippi College on August 14, 1959, thus achieving an ambition of many years.

Clara McLeod began her teaching career as a first-grade teacher in Picayune, Mississippi in 1924. The next year she taught the fourth grade in Cleveland, Mississippi and in 1927-28 she taught first grade in Ackerman, Mississippi. Then began her long period of teaching service in Jackson Public Schools. From September 1928 to June 1946, she was a first-grade teacher at the Thomas P. Barr School. When Nannie C. McWillie Elementary School opened in 1955, Clara McLeod transferred there and served until her death on September 27, 1960, culminating 35 years in the teaching profession; 32 in the Jackson Public Schools.

Clara McLeod was deeply involved in social, civic and religious activities of Jackson. She constantly participated in every activity engaged in or sponsored by the various organizations to which she belonged. She served in many capacities in her school and in her local education association.

To know Clara McLeod was to love her. Those who knew her loved and appreciated her genuineness, strength of character, and devotion to friends, family and community. Parents by the hundreds expressed gratitude that their children had been under the guidance of such a person. She taught children, "not books." As quoted from, "A History of the Public Schools in Jackson, Mississippi, 18-32-1972," by William Moore Dalehite.