The new namesake of one of Gainesville’s oldest schools
A new, modern sign was erected last fall outside of one of Gainesville’s oldest public schools, replacing another sign bearing the name of a Confederate brigadier general. The former J. J. Finley Elementary School, which served White students during segregation, is now named for a third generation Gainesvillian, Carolyn Beatrice Parker, whose paternal grandmother was enslaved.
Carolyn Beatrice Parker was the granddaughter of Eliza Caro, who moved to Gainesville sometime after she was emancipated in 1865. Parker’s niece and namesake, Leslie Carolyn (Cosby) Edwards, said Caro was among the founding members of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, which was established in 1867. Edwards, a retired professor of literature, communication and cultural studies at SUNY Empire State College, remembers her aunt as a determined woman. The eldest of seven children born to Dr. Julius A. Parker and Delia M. Parker, Carolyn Parker playe
The McDonough County Voice
George O. Baughman, 82 of Lewistown, passed away at 9:10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at Graham Hospital. He was born on July 14, 1938 in Fulton County to Herbert and Neva (Smith) Baughman.
George was preceded in death by his parents and several aunts and uncles.
Surviving is his cousin and caregiver, Kathryn (Dennis) Turner of Lewistown and several other cousins.
George earned a bachelor of science degree in 1960, and a master of science degree in 1967. He went on to teach business education and computer science at Lewistown High School for 33 years. George also taught accounting and computer science courses at Spoon River College in the evenings, and took additional coursework at Western and John Wood Community College. He also worked at an accounting firm and owned and formerly managed a farm.