• 52°

Bob Jones’ first alumni reflect on their principal, Elbert Deason

Alumni from Bob Jones High School’s early days remember their first principal, Elbert ‘Ebb’ Deason.

Deason, who was 80 years old, died on Dec. 30.

In 1974, Deason was principal for Bob Jones’ first graduating class. “Mr. Deason was a really nice man that always had a smile on his face. That has always stuck in my mind,” Cindi Sanderson said. She and husband James Sanderson were in the Class of 1974.

Deason rarely was seen without his pipe. “Even in a yearbook photo of him at his desk, there sits the pipe on an ashtray,” Cindi said.

“Mr. Deason was always very firm but fair about everything,” James said. “If anyone was in the hall, he would put his hand on their shoulder and move them along.” James’ mother, Rayceil Sanderson, taught in Madison during Deason’s administration.

While not overly strict, Deason expected students to be in class and not standing around in the halls. “I’m sure he did paddle, but I wouldn’t know about that first hand,” Cindi said.

Cindi also remembers Deason “trolling through the parking lot in the mornings to tell us to get out of our cars and go inside. I can honestly say that I’ve never heard anyone say they didn’t like him.”

One alumnus, who preferred to remain anonymous, was frequently in Deason’s office. “I got in trouble quite a bit back then. I remember once that I was so messed up on drugs they sent me to his office.”

“I talked my way out of it,” the alumnus said. “Then, when I stood up to leave, I passed out and fell back into the chair. He let me stay in his office several hours until I came down and then he let me go home.”

“He could have done a lot of things to me that day but he didn’t. He helped me and that was the last time I ever tried drugs,” the alumnus said. “Mr. Deason was a great guy and always fair and impartial. I always respected him. I remember his ever-present pipe.”

Visitation for Deason will be held on Jan. 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., followed by the funeral, at Owens Cross Roads Church of Christ.

Madison

MVP names Madison Visionary Award recipients

Bob Jones High School

Local Talent Shines In Alabama Baseball Victory At Toyota Field

Bob Jones High School

Bartlett selected as Executive Director of US Chess Federation

Madison

Mill Creek students shine in Elementary Science Olympiad

Madison

Facility dog Daryl comforts, ‘listens’ to children at Midtown elementary

Madison

Batt-Rawden named ‘Alabama School Psychologist of the Year’

Madison

Madison city councilman Teddy Powell loses to Marilyn Lands in special election for HD10

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones’ population fondly remembers Angela Mooney

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 27, 2024

Events

AUSA showcasing the U.S. Army’s technological advances in Huntsville

Madison

Voters in HD10 to decide who fills unexpired term today

Madison

Jackie Smith’s legacy thrives through her students at Mill Creek

Harvest

AUSA sponsors ‘Operation Deploy Your Dress’ for women’s gowns

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones ‘fetches’ ‘Mean Girls – High School Version’ for Spring Musical

Events

Arts Huntsville announces Panoply Arts Festival 2024 highlights  

Huntsville

Women in Tech – Huntsville event to view business future, open scholarships

James Clemens High School

Students in grades K-11 earn City Chess Champ titles

Madison

MVP Community Impact Grant helps library’s Music Garden

Harvest

Enjoy a day of celebration at TARCOG’s Senior Fun Fest

Madison

Kim Dykes named state’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication Professional

Bob Jones High School

All-Girls National Chess Championships set for Chicago

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Mustang Mud Run Set For April 13- Register Now

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Madison Miracle League Facility Hopes To Be “Shining” Location

Bob Jones High School

Madison Visionary Awards: Madison residents and business leaders named finalists for volunteerism awards

x