Retired educator speaks on integration

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Originally posted on April 15, 2012

Being a teacher was an honor and one of the most respectable career paths that anyone could choose. Henry Clay Garner, retired educator, integrated the Clayton County Public Schools system and has made a positive impact on students while being an educator. Currently, at the age of 87, he reflects on the memories of growing up on the farm to moving to the big city and changing lives.
Henry Clay Garner was born in Waycross, Ga., June 17 1924, along with two older brothers and four sisters; George (deceased), Filmore (deceased), Dora (deceased), (himself), Lois (deceased 2018), Vera (deceased) and Evelyn (deceased) (listed from oldest to youngest). Growing up on the farm in a one-story, wooden frame house, with three bedrooms, Garner had to share his room with his two older brothers as well as depend of them for helping out in the field. Having a childhood memory of hunting, fishing, rambling through the woods and walking along the railroad tracks, Garner’s life on the farm was far from dull. Receiving a full scholarship to play football at Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Ga., Garner left the farm to pursuit a degree in Biology and Chemistry to achieve his dream of wanting become a doctor. However, he had to leave college in 1948 to tend to the farm needs and would stay there until his father sold the 70 acre farm in 1956. Returning back to college, he graduated from Morris Brown in 1957 and entered the education field of teaching Science at Fayetteville County Training School, now Fayetteville High School in 1958. Garner then integrated Forest Park Junior High as the first black male Science teacher in 1965. Garner received his master’s degree in Supervision and Administration from Atlanta University now Clark Atlanta University in 1984, Garner progressed to becoming the Assistant Principal at Fountain High School. He retired from the education system as Assistant Principal and has had a positive impact on the students that he taught. Garner is a lifetime member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and also a member of the Quality Living Services, senior citizens organization. In his spare time, he teaches a bowling class along with being a member of the bowling league. He resides in Atlanta, Ga., with his daughter Henrietta Garner and other daughter in love and granddaughter. His wife Diane Garner of 40 plus years, passed away in December  2012.

Henry Garner just recently celebrated his 95 birthday in June.

Updated 12/22/2019



Location: Atlanta, Ga

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