Ethel Mae Singleton Bennett

"As a girl, Mrs. Ethel Mae Singleton Bennett (1914-2005) walked two miles to and from school—from her home in the Hickman Hill section near Havelock. The school is still standing and the Havelock Preservation Society has taken steps to preserve the structure.

Mrs. Ethel Bennett lived the remainder of her life on the property where the one room frame schoolhouse of her childhood is located. It was one of the first schools for African American children in Craven County. Twelve to fifteen students regularly attended classes. Mrs Bennett shared her memories of her teachers, Mrs Cox and Mrs. McDonald, who taught multiple grades in this small building. "
(Photograph by Frances Eubanks)
*Contributing Researcher-Stan Best