1. Berkeley County School District 2013 Legacy Legends

2. Florence Dickerson Recognized by Mr. Frank Wright Florence Jessie Dickerson was born August 7, 1913 in Huger, SC. Florence married the late Louis Dickerson and raised seven children and two step children. Ms. Dickerson has 24 grandchildren, 32 great- grandchildren, and nine great-great-grandchildren. Ms. Dickerson was employed at Charity School in Huger as a cook during segregation. She transferred to Cainhoy Elementary and High when it opened in 1956. A member of Zion United Methodist Church, she was one of the organizers of the first choirs at the church now known as the Senior Choir. She has sung on the choir for over 80 years and still remains an active member. Florence served as an Eastern Star for many years. Ms. Dickerson loves to travel and has traveled to many places in the United States. Her most memorable moment was to live long enough to vote for the first African American President of the United States.

3. Dr. Patricia Gibbs Recognized by Mr. Don Brown Dr. Gibbs was born in Lake City, South Carolina. She received her education from Carver High School, Claflin University, Fisk University, the Citadel and The Union Institute. Dr. Gibbs’ first job was in Williamsburg County School District as a teacher of high school mathematics. Her career with Berkeley County spans from 1963 to 2007. During that time, she served as a lead teacher, math department chair, student teacher advisor, member of the initial evaluation team and substitute administrator. Dr. Gibbs was known as a passionate and dedicated educator who cared for her students and fostered their success. After her students graduated from high school, she continued to follow their progress in college and throughout their careers. When asked about her most memorable year, Dr. Gibbs expressed that it was, “teaching a class of sixth graders math and science and having about a third of the science projects presented at the state level. That was a great year.” Her life after Berkeley County School District includes reading, listening to classical music, traveling and learning new things.

4. Ms. Elizabeth “Pete” Johnston Recognized by Ms. Sue Hagan Ms. Pete was born at home in Moncks Corner, because there was not a hospital in Berkeley County at that time. She attended Berkeley High, Limestone College and the Citadel. In 1947 she took her first teaching position at Berkeley High. She spent 40 years with the Berkeley County School District in the classroom. Most of this time was spent teaching eighth grade math at Berkeley Middle School. She was known as a diligent, dedicated teacher who was greatly respected in the community. Ms. Pete’s love for children and education is demonstrated in her continued involvement with the Roscoe Reading Program and Kappa Kappa Iota. “An activity I remember is having students make South Carolina booklets,” Ms. Pete shared. “The pages were in the shape of South Carolina. The students wrote to counties and got information and then shared it with the class. I just recently had a former student tell me that she still has her booklet.” Ms. Pete’s hobbies include reading, playing bridge and watching sports on television.

5. Ms. Elizabeth “Pete” Johnston Recognized by Ms. Sue Hagan Ms. Sims is a native and lifelong resident of Berkeley County. Ms. Sims received her education through Russellville High, Benedict College, South Carolina State College and the College of Charleston. Ms. Sims’ career spans 31 years teaching social studies and reading and working with self-contained students at R. A. Ready Elementary and Berkeley Intermediate. She believes that all children can learn, and she never gave up on any student. A strong advocate of reading, she has continued to support this key ingredient of knowledge by serving as a Roscoe Reading Program volunteer. She has expressed that her most memorable year was, “The year I tutored one of my students that was diagnosed with cancer. I gave her instructions, but she taught me how to be more compassionate, patient, kind and understanding. Our homebound sessions were uplifting and she worked hard in spite of her illness because she had a will and desire to learn. The bond we shared was special.” Since retirement from the school system Ms. Sims spends time reading, engaging in photography, completing word puzzles, spending time with her family and taking care of her vegetable and flower garden.