Three remarkable women – Clora Austin, 100, Cleo Morgan, 99, and Maxine Fortson, 90 – were recently honored by Mt. Pleasant C.M.E. Church and the City of Kilgore for their decades of service and dedication to the East Texas community.
A Legacy of Resilience and Service
The three women have deep roots in the region and a shared history of overcoming obstacles to pursue education and contribute to their community. Clora Austin, born February 11, 1926, in Gregg County, has lived her entire life on land originally purchased by her grandfather in 1912. Her family’s history traces back to her great-grandfather, who was enslaved before acquiring 500 acres in the Longview area.
Austin’s commitment to education is evident in her academic achievements: she graduated from North Chapel High School in 1945 and later earned both a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas College and a master’s degree from Prairie View A&M University. She dedicated nearly 30 years to teaching, specializing in special education, before retiring in 1987. “I am a product of the Mount Pleasant Elementary School,” Austin said, noting the church initially provided education for its children when public schools were inaccessible.
Cleo Morgan, as well a 1945 graduate of Kilgore Colored High School, faced segregation firsthand. She attended Wiley College before moving to New York to start her family. Morgan later earned a master’s degree from Texas Southern University and taught for 17 years in Lubbock during the integration period of the 1960s. She worked in education for a total of 34 years, retiring in 1984.
Maxine Fortson, 90, has been connected to Mt. Pleasant C.M.E. Church for approximately 80 years. After graduating from Kilgore Colored High School, she pursued a career in nursing, earning a degree in Salina, Kansas, and later training as an anesthesia nurse in Kansas City, Missouri, where she worked for 20 years before returning to East Texas in 1974. Fortson recalled the disparities in educational resources during segregation, stating that schools for Black students were often behind, relying on textbooks delivered by bus from white schools.
The church is currently awaiting approval for a historical park plaque to recognize the site’s importance in the community’s educational and religious history, having already covered the cost of the marker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Mt. Pleasant C.M.E. Church?
Mt. Pleasant C.M.E. Church originally provided education for Black children in the area when public schools were not available to them.
How long have Clora Austin, Cleo Morgan, and Maxine Fortson been involved with the church and community?
Clora Austin, Cleo Morgan, and Maxine Fortson have collectively dedicated decades to the church and the East Texas community, with Fortson being involved with the church for about 80 years.
What challenges did these women face in pursuing their education?
Cleo Morgan was unable to attend Kilgore College due to segregation, and Maxine Fortson recalled that schools for Black students were often behind, relying on textbooks delivered from white schools.
What does it mean to honor individuals who have dedicated their lives to service and education within their communities?
