One of the indicators of a civilized society is some kind of education system. When an area is colonized, small schools pop up to serve settlers. Even before Oklahoma became a state, educators gave their time and energies to making us an educated nation. Today even bumper stickers recognize the fact that: "If you can read this, thank a teacher."

The Oklahoma Teacher Retirement System was created in 1943 to provide for and honor retired teachers. The 3rd Wednesday of November is observed as Retired Educators' Day, part of American Education Week. Oklahoma Retired Educators observe the day honoring members who have been designated Pioneer Educators.

To be eligible for Jackson County Pioneer Educator status, one must have celebrated his or her 90th birthday between Nov. 18, 2008 and Nov. 19 of this year, and be an active member of both the Jackson County Retired Educators' Association (JCREA) and the Oklahoma Retired Educators' Association (OREA). The JCREA has recognized 15 Pioneer Educators and 1 Centennial Educator, Gladys O'Neal.

On Nov. 19, 6 new Pioneer Educators were inducted into the Jackson County Retired Educators Association. They are all baby boomers of World War I, graduated from high school in the year 1937, and are survivors of the Great Depression. The inductees are: Frances Smith Herron, Grace Williamson Dempsey, Ruth Parker Fox, Mary Osborne Bilbery, Beverly Bruce Creed, and Imogene Helf Cost.

Frances Smith Herron's teaching career spanned 42 years. She taught in a variety of schools and since her retirement in 1982 has continued as a volunteer presenter at teacher-in service workshops throughout the state. She has been an avid volunteer for the Museum of the Western Prairie, 4-H and lobbyist and board member for the Southwestern Technology Center. The Frances Herron Seminar Center at the VoTech is named in her honor. She received the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year Award in 1978. Frances is a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Altus.

Grace Williamson Dempsey taught for over 35 years, with 30 of them being a 3rd grade teacher at Eugene Field. Since her retirement in 1984, she has volunteered as a teacher's aide at Washington Elementary. She has also been a tutor for the Great Plains LIteracy Council, for which she was awarded state recognition. In 2007, she was selected as Older American Female of the Year by KWHW Radio in Altus. She is a charter member of Tamarack Road Church of Christ.

Ruth Parker Fox has had over 30 years of teaching in various schools, including 24 years at Washington Elementary. She also taught remedial reading, adult education classes and did after-school tutoring. She directed summer school for migrant students. Following her retirement, she worked in sales, and volunteered for the Salvation Army soup kitchen. She is currently a Pink Lady at Jackson County Memorial Hospital and attends First Baptist Church in Altus. Fox's daughter, Freda Jo Neighbors accepted the award in her stead.

Mary Osborne Bilbery had a long career in sales before she entered the world of education. She rapidly went from school secretary at Central Jr. High to Jackson County Deputy Superintendent and office manager, and managed Jackson County records and the film library. She compiled all school records and record books long before computers were used to maintain all those education records.

Beverly Bruce Creed started teaching at the high school level. After working for the federal Office of Price Administration in Washington D.C., she taught at Central Jr. High for 9 years. Beverly taught at what was then Altus Jr. College, which became Western Oklahoma State College. She remained in higher education for 23 years. She is a member of the MacDowell Music club and choir member at First Baptist Church in Altus.

Imogene Helf Cost worked at Southwest Rural Electric for several years before becoming a school secretary at Wilson School. She served at Wilson for 14 years, until the school closed in 1986. She has since relocated to Sand Springs to be near her son. Though she just recently had back surgery, and could not attend the ceremony, she has maintained her active membership in both the JCREA and the OREA.