For many in the Austin school district, the image of a long braid tied by a pink bow ushers in memories of Sarah Beth Lively, who spent almost 50 years as a local teacher and volunteer.
Lively, who died Jan. 4 at the age of 88, is the namesake of the middle school in South Austin where she taught. The campus was renamed in her honor in 2018.
Lively taught for 25 years starting in 1964, then volunteered daily for another 22 after her retirement. She taught history, journalism and most importantly, according to those who knew her the value of believing in oneself.
Lori Moya, who served on the Austin school board from 2005 to 2016, was one of the many students that Lively mentored throughout her career. She said Lively was an important figure who impacted her during a transformative time in her life.