Biography - Gladys Alma Morse

"Miss Gladys" as she was affectionately called by countless Taylor County school children, was born in Pavo Georgia, the daughter of Orren Cloudesley and Louisianna (Wooten) Morse. Miss Morse was born November 24, 1894 in Pavo out on a farm.

She attended school there until she entered high school in Perry where she lived with her sister who had married a Perry man. She finished high school in Perry and went to Florida State College for Women. She began her teaching career in Brunson, Florida but returned to Taylor County after that one year. She taught in Perry Elementary School until she became Elementary Principal in the 1925-1930 period. She continued her education while holding down the teaching position and obtained her bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Florida in 1942 with honors. She received her master of arts degree at Florida State University in 1951. She remained principal until about 1947 when she was asked to be County Supervisor of Schools. She did that one year and asked to be transferred back to her previous school as principal. She remained Principal of Perry Elementary School until her retirement in June of 1956.She had 40+ years in the teaching profession.

Even after retirement, Miss Morse was named teacher of the year in 1957 by the Perry Woman's Club for her contributions as a substitute teacher.

She served as Sunday School teacher and as Superintendent of the First United Methodist Church until her retirement for health reasons in about 1975.

Gladys Morse died 29th of August, 1980, in Perry, Taylor County, Florida.

Contributed 25 Nov 2010 by Fran Smith

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