Alvenes Barksdale

Alvenes Vernell Rice was born December 12, 1926, to Mary Bailey Rice who was an elementary school teacher and to Richard Rice who was a produce peddler.

She was born in the "suburbian community" of Clinton, Laurens County, South Carolina.  A year later her sister, Mary Pauline Rice was born; and two years after her birth, the final child Jesse Wilbur Rice (deceased) was born.

Alvenes accepted Christ at an early age and joined Hebron Baptist Church in Clinton.  She attended Bell Street Elementary School except for third grade in which she attended the school where her mother taught.  After she returned to Bell Street School, she excelled in her academics and graduated Valedictorian of Bell Street High School in May 944.  She matriculated in South Carolina State College, Orangeburg, South Carolina, where she became an honor student after the stresses of adjustments to the freshman year.  She received both the Bachelor of Arts and Master of Sciences Degrees from South Carolina State College.  She also received the South Carolina Advanced Certificate in Secondary Guidance and Counseling.

After having earned the Bachelor of Arts Degree, Mrs. Barksdale accepted employment at Mt. Carmel Secondary School, Owings, SC-the school where her pastor was principal.  This was a fortunate decision for her because this is where she met her future husband, James Barksdale, of 70 years.  Mrs. Barksdale's next employment was Laurens County Training School in Gray Court, SC.  Following this she transitioned to Alston High School, Summerville, SC.  The closeness of this location to South Carolina State College gave her the opportunity of completing the requirements for her Masters of Science Degree in Psychology, Education Social Studies, and also qualifications for Guidance Counseling.

Mrs. Barksdale's next employment was Bell Street High School, Clinton, SC, where she taught Psychology, Language Arts, and also did Guidance and Counseling.  With the advent of integration, she became a full time counselor: with Junior High Boys and finally with Middle School students.

Mrs. Barksdale has been active in a number of profession, civic, church, and volunteer organizations including the following: Laurens County Unit of American Cancer Society, Laurens County Literacy Association, League of Women Voters, Laurens County Mental Health Association Board, Board of Visitors Piedmont Technical Education College, Greenwood, SC; Grandparent Advisory Council to CHAMPS, Greater Clinton and Joanna United Way, Laurens County Education Association Retired, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Laurens County, and Whitten Center Human Rights Committee member.

She holds Life memberships in the following:  American Vocational Association, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and National Education Association (NEA).

She was a Charter Member of Morning Glory Chapter #191 Order of the Eastern Star, one of the organizers and board member of the Clinton Museum, and President of Upper State Guidance Association.  Mrs. Barksdale worked with Dr. Jack Pressau in organizing Presbyterian College's Student Volunteer Services and in getting these services into the schools and the community.

Alvenes joined Mr. Carmel A.M.E. Church in 1970 and served on the Stewardess Board, Women's Missionary Society, the Willing Workers Club, Lay Organization, Chair of Family Life Center Steering Committee, Sunday School teacher for the Adult Women's class, Church Recording/Corresponding Secretary, Chair of Student Recognition and Appreciation Committee, Chair of Commission on Christian Education, and Chairperson of Mt. Carmel Christian Education, and Chairperson of Mt. Carmel Christian Learning Academy (MCCLA) Planning Committee.

During her teaching and counseling career, Mrs. Barksdale was recognized on many occasions for outstanding accomplishments, and received three National Defense Education Act Scholarships.  She did additional Post graduate Studies at the following universities: SC State, Clemson, Furman, The Citadel-through Presbyterian College, Atlanta University, and Florida Presbyterian College in St. Petersburg, Florida.  She was recognized and received three scholarships.  She taught Adult Education at Bell Street High and Clinton High Schools for ten years.  She was also coordinator of School Intervention Programs (SCIP).  She retired in June 1988 after thirty-two years were spent at Bell Street School.

After retirement Mrs. Barksdale served as Minority Recruiter for Presbyterian College.  In 2006 she was the recipient of the Martha Ann Green Service to Church and School Award presented by Presbyterian College and First Presbyterian Church.  On a strong recommendation of the Laurens County Branch of the NAACP, Mrs. Barksdale was accepted by and served a four year term on the Board of Directors of Laurens County Hospital.  She was the first African American and one of the first two females to be appointed to the historically "White male board".  She was recognized by Clinton High School during two of its Black History Programs for outstanding community services.  Please know that these accomplishments would not have been possible without the cooperation of her supportive husband James.

Additional Service Awards include: 'Outstanding Educator Award" by Bell Street High School Reunion August 4, 1995, "Distinguished Service Award" by the Mental Health Association of Laurens County on February 8, 2001; and In Honor and Recognition of Years of Making a Commitment to the Community" by Hebron Baptist Church Young Women's Auxiliary on February 27, 2005.  In 1994 she was presented an award for eighteen years of "Outstanding and Dedicated Service: for working with "Gospelizing for Cancer"; also in 2010 a Certificate and plaque of Appreciation for ten years of committed services on the Human Rights Committee of Whitten Center.

She served as Co-Chair with her husband James, of CETCO/Strong Seal Community Citizens for Environment Justice in collaboration with the City of Clinton in successfully closing the CETCO/Strong Seal Manufacturing Plant which was located on South Livingston Street in Clinton.

Mrs. Barksdale was married to James Barksdale, s steward at Mr. Carmel A.M.E. Church.  He retired from Presbyterian College's Physical Plant.  Daughters Barbara retired from Presbyterian College Library and Deborah B. Babb is a retiree of private sitting.  Youngest daughter Sonia is deceased.  Son, Dr. Tawio Barksdale is an administrator in Laurens County District 55.

Granddaughter - Daughter- Eyeishama Ali is Community Development Manager for Greystar Management in Los Angeles, California.  Mrs. Barksdale's sister, Mar Rice Taylor, is retired from the medical field, Manhattan, NY and her brother - Jesse Rice (deceased) - retired from Rockefeller Plaza, New York.

Mrs. Barksdale continued to be actively involved on the Committee for the Preservation of Bell Street School and was indeed a very busy lady.  However, she was never too busy to stop what she was doing to do someone a favor or to extend a word of kindness, encouragement or consolation.  As a pillar in the community, a leader within the organizations she participated and as a powerful presence to family, friends, colleagues and students, Mrs. Alvenes Barksdale will be greatly missed.

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