Wednesday, November 6, 2019
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Condolences to the Hankinson Family
I had the historical pleasure of meeting Shirley Eggers and her husband John Hankinson in a unique period of Marion County culture development. In 1967, the 1st year of the Marion County School District integration, I was a first year teacher and one
of 2 black teachers who volunteered for this assignment to teach in a school of the opposite race. Race fears during this period
dominated decision-making throughout the district and each school. I taught 7th & 8th grade science and mathematics. Shirley
the senior mathematics teacher/advisor in which I sought assistance and support from. This relationship expanded beyond
the school and classroom to the community. Unfortunately, the atmosphere in the District and at schools were contaminated
with racism which resulted in inequity attitudes and behaviors. There were the experiences I met with using the teachers
lounge, where some white teachers would leave the lounge upon my entering. This is where Shirley Eggers Hankinson enter-
ed my life to be remembered forever. Upon learning of my lounge treatment, Shirley frequently invited me to her classroom on breaks to minimize the treatment experiences in the lounge. I will forever thank God for his gift of Shirley Hankinson in my life
at a very important time of need.
Whitfield Jenkins
Teacher-1967
Osceola Jr. High
Ocala (352) 414-4206 | The Villages (352) 561-8048 
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