Jones, Sallie

 

Name	Jones, Sallie
Born	1895
Deceased	1960
Birthplace	Thomasville, Georgia
Nationality	American
Biographical Summary	In 1901, a little girl named Sallie Jones came to Punta Gorda with her mother and three brothers following the death of her father from malaria. Her widowed mother moved with her children to Punta Gorda to be near her brother, cattle rancher, Luther Koon. Sallie started school at Punta Gorda's first formal school house on Goldstein Street. Then, after finishing high school at the school, at the time on Taylor, she attained a teaching certificate. She first taught lower grades. but went on to teach at Charlotte High School shortly after it opened in 1926. Always determined to obtain a college degree, she attended Florida Southern College during the summer months. Tragically, the love of her life was killed in automobile accident and Miss Sallie, as she was called, never married. She devoted her life to the education of children. In 1936, Miss Sallie was elected County Superintendent of Schools, the first woman to hold that position in the state of Florida.. She was interested in the progress of public school education, not only locally, but throughout the state of Florida, and the nation. She was recognized for her achievements and served as President of the Southwest Teachers Association and on many state educational boards. a new elementary school was erected, and the school board agreed In 1956, a new elementary school was named in honor of Miss Sallie. She died right after the Sallie Jones Elementary School opened its doors.
Father	Charles Jennings Jones
Mother	Elizabeth Koon Jones