A moving ceremony on Sunday, May 12, marked the very special occasion announcing the Leigh Anne Ward Teachers Memorial at Madison-Ridgeland Academy. The ceremony included the installation of the Inaugural Class of the Hall of Fame Inductees, with the tribute to Leigh Anne especially meaningful for so many, particularly anyone with a Plantersville Connection. Leigh Anne’s parents are Bobbie and Dr. Frazier Ward of Jackson. Bobbie is remembered as Bobbie Gooch, daughter of Mrs. Wallace Gooch and the late Mr. Gooch, both of whom are remembered as the best of educators in Plantersville. A musical tribute was made by the MRA elementary and middle school singers, and a fourth grader, Carly Chennault, who may be described as a ‘granddaughter of Plantersville,’ participated in the musical tribute. I know her grandfather George Morris Kelly was pleased to hear her singing for Leigh Anne. Caroline Strawbridge, MRA first grade teacher, presented “A Remembrance of a Friend,” with poignant memories about Leigh Anne's personality and contributions to family, friends, students, the school, her church. . .
Bobbie was presented a white rose by Connie Vance, Elementary School principal, who inducted Leigh Anne into the memorial Hall of Fame named for her. Teachers Frances Braswell, Minnie Lou Holland and Myra Smith were present for their installation into the Hall of Fame.
The tribute included the welcome by Roxanne Case, MRA board president, and the invocation by Dr. Jim Futral, executive director-treasurer of the MS Baptist Convention Board. Tommy Thompson, headmaster, performed the ribbon cutting, dedication and unveiling of the impressive statue crafted by Carrie Reeves, assistance professor in the Mississippi College Art Department.
Our Kelly-Chennault families were touched to be present for the special time, remembering the love George always had for the Gooch family and also having the memory of Leigh Anne’s marvelous contributions as a teacher and a very outstanding young woman. She will always be remembered and missed in this world.
The Hall of Fame Memorial will serve to keep her memory alive.
