KILGORE, Texas – Three remarkable women, each with a century of life experience and a deep commitment to their community, were recently honored by Mt. Pleasant C.M.E. Church and the City of Kilgore. Clora Austin, 100, Cleo Morgan, 99 and Maxine Fortson, 90, were recognized for their decades of service to the church and the broader East Texas region, a testament to their enduring faith and dedication.
The recognition ceremony highlighted the significant contributions these women have made, not only within the walls of Mt. Pleasant C.M.E. Church but likewise as pioneers in education and advocates for their community during times of segregation and change. Their stories reflect a rich history of resilience, determination, and a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and service. This KLTV report details the event and the honorees’ remarkable lives.
A Legacy Rooted in Family and Faith
Clora Austin, born February 11, 1926, in Gregg County, has lived her entire life on land purchased by her grandfather in 1912. Her family’s history is deeply intertwined with the land, tracing back to her great-grandfather who came from Kentucky as a slave and later acquired 500 acres in the Longview area along the Texas Pacific Railroad. “I’ve never moved away,” Austin said, explaining she remained on the original family farm, later moving across the street. Austin’s commitment to education is equally impressive. She graduated from North Chapel High School in 1945 and went on to earn 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 the field of education, specializing in special education and serving as an educational diagnostician before retiring in 1987.
Austin fondly remembers her early education, noting, “I am a product of the Mount Pleasant Elementary School.” She explained that, during her childhood, the church played a vital role in providing education for Black children when public schools were not accessible to them. The church is currently awaiting approval for a historical park plaque to commemorate the site’s significance, having already covered the cost of the marker.
Breaking Barriers in Education
Cleo Morgan, also a 1945 graduate of Kilgore Colored High School, shared her experiences navigating a segregated educational system. She attended Wiley College in Marshall before relocating to Modern York to start her family. Morgan recalled the limitations imposed by segregation, stating, “We weren’t the right color” to attend Kilgore College at the time. Despite these obstacles, she persevered, earning her master’s degree from Texas Southern University and dedicating 34 years to teaching, including 17 years in Lubbock during the integration period of the 1960s. “When they said, let’s integrate, I was sent to a school where it was well integrated,” Morgan said. “It was great. The kids loved it and everything was just fine.”
A Lifelong Dedication to Nursing and Community
Maxine Fortson, who has been a member of Mt. Pleasant C.M.E. Church for approximately 80 years, also pursued a career in service. After graduating from Kilgore Colored High School, she moved to Salina, Kansas, where she earned a nursing degree. She continued her education in Kansas City, Missouri, specializing in anesthesia nursing and working in that field for 20 years before returning to East Texas in 1974. Fortson vividly remembers the challenges of attending a segregated school, noting, “Growing up and being in a segregated school, what I remember most about it was we were ten years behind in our books that we studied in. They would bring the big yellow bus from the white school to the black school and bring us our books to study out of.”
Looking Ahead
The recognition of Austin, Morgan, and Fortson serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of faith, education, and community service. Their stories highlight the importance of preserving local history and honoring those who have paved the way for future generations. As the church awaits the arrival of the historical park plaque, it stands as a symbol of the community’s commitment to remembering and celebrating its rich heritage.
We encourage readers to share their own stories of local heroes and community impact in the comments below.
