If there was a contest for Woman Retired Teacher of the Year, Miss Allie Lue Edwards would be the winner. She was a beloved teacher but became very famous when she celebrated her 88th birthday March 19, 2022 with the signing of her book, A Gift, at the Winston County Library.
It is a beautiful book of poetry written by her through her years in retirement much about her. Many of her former students purchased her book and were thrilled to see her alive and smiling. She has been smiling since. Because of her physical challenge from polio since 12 years of age, she was seldom seen since her retirement. She taught English, Typing, Business, Shorthand and Drama for 30 years in the Louisville Municipal School District.
She has been such an inspiration to her students because she let nothing stop her from completing secondary school, graduating from Rust College and completing her career as a teacher. The American Disability Act did not exist during her school years but she survived with her crutches, braces and sometimes a wheelchair.
On her 89th birthday, March 15, 2023, she quietly celebrated in her home with visitors in and out. She was delighted that her nieces visited her from Columbus.
She received many greeting cards, flowers, dinner, telephone calls and a quilt made by this writer. She was my typing, drama and English teacher at Louisville Colored High School.
