Buford Evans

My first two years of education were at Culkin Academy in 1952-54. Mrs. Hoxie and Mrs. Campbell. I went from there to Grove Street, to Jett, to Carr Junior, and finally Cooper. I have many friends from each school, and I try my best to stay in contact with them. Sometimes I fail and even worse I lose forever some of them. I do not like losing friends.
I went to Hinds then into the Air Force. When I got out, I worked as a machinist for the Corp of Engineers and went to night school.
They got me out of class one night and asked if i would teach machine shop, which I did. I love teaching. I try to teach something every day.
I ended up working in Jackson at Buck Sullivan, Inc. we did auto and truck repair and sold truck equipment and accessories.
I retired from there July 31, 2008 after 35 years in one place. Do I miss working regularly, NO. I do enjoy volunteer work and try to stay busy with that. Volunteer work is rewarding personally plus when you get tired, you say "You're not paying me enough, I am going home to rest".

I have two favorite school memories and one really good learning experience. First, in the first grade I did something that caused Mrs. Hoxie to put me in the corner, I felt like I was in jail. I DID NOT LIKE THAT, but remembered I don't want to be in jail, anykind or anywhere.
Second story: Polio was getting a foothold in the early 50's, we were given the polio vaccine of sugar cubes and shots. The bent three needles i my arm and to this day I DON'T LIKE NEEDLES.
Best learning experience: Mrs. Hoxie put the whole class in a circle and whispered something into the first ear next to her and told them to pass it on. By the time it finished going around the room it was completely different. Moral: things change as fast at the wind, do not depend on what you hear as being the truth.