Mary Bell White Belaire (1920-1996), was the daughter of druggist Elzie Hansford White and wife Mary Bell Murdock White. From Winn and Tensas Parishes respectively, they had come to Oil City from Naborton, an unincorporated Louisiana community in DeSoto Parish that had similarly experienced an oil boom.
As an eleven year-old, she placed second in the state spelling bee held at Louisiana State Normal School in Natchitoches to commemorate the bicentennial of George Washington's birth.
As an eleven year-old, she placed second in the state spelling bee held at Louisiana State Normal School in Natchitoches to commemorate the bicentennial of George Washington's birth.
After graduation from high school, she enrolled in LSN, now Northwestern State University. Below she is shown as a freshman.
While at LSN, she participated in many activities, notably the debate team.
Around her sophomore year, her family moved to Vivian, as she subsequently is listed as being from that community. During her senior year, Mary Bell worked on the Potpourri (yearbook) staff with Sidney Gremillion, who later taught briefly at Oil City.
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| Sidney Gremillion (l), Mary Bell White |
Upon graduating from LSN, Mary Bell enrolled at Louisiana State University and received her masters degree in English in 1941.
Source: 1941 LSU Gumbo (yearbook)
She later became editor of the LSU Press, the university's publishing house.
In December 1946, her engagement to fellow LSU graduate Rene Rodney Belaire was announced and they were married at her parents home in Vivian. The couple lived in Lake Charles, LA where in addition to pursuing a teaching career, she was involved in civic and social activities.
In addition to her B.A. and Masters, she continued her studies at Peabody College for Teachers (Vanderbilt University) and the University of Arkansas. Her teaching career included three years at McNeese State College (now University), as well as in high school at Haynesville and Rodessa; and junior high at Stuttgart, Arkansas. It was at Stuttgart that she became interested in children suffering from dyslexia. She eventually became a teacher at the John Geddings Gray School in Lake Charles; a private school dedicated to students with the condition, and later was its director.
In addition to her B.A. and Masters, she continued her studies at Peabody College for Teachers (Vanderbilt University) and the University of Arkansas. Her teaching career included three years at McNeese State College (now University), as well as in high school at Haynesville and Rodessa; and junior high at Stuttgart, Arkansas. It was at Stuttgart that she became interested in children suffering from dyslexia. She eventually became a teacher at the John Geddings Gray School in Lake Charles; a private school dedicated to students with the condition, and later was its director.
She was appointed and reappointed by Governor Dave Treen to the Teaching Profession Practices Commission, an oversight group to review teacher wrong-doing or incompetence.
January 14, 1982 Paper: Advocate (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) Page: 18
Mary Bell passed away in 1996 and is buried in Vivian (LA) Cemetery.
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