Léa C. Hammond-Sampson
Vernell Oliver, 90, born on July 18, 1922 passed away on October 16, 2012. We will remember her forever.
Verne McCarroll Oliver had dedicated her life to education, beginning with an undergraduate degree from New Jersey State University, completion of her doctoral studies at Columbia University and further work at Johns Hopkins School of International Studies, the New School for Social Research, and Bank Street College.
Ms. Oliver spent more than a dozen years as a college instructor and an Assistant Professor at Morgan State College, Central State College of Ohio and Howard University, among others. Academic publications led to high school teaching, History Department Chair, and Chair of College Guidance, all topped off as Head of the New Lincoln School (now part of Trevor Day School).
Visit www.vernelloliver.com for more about our beloved Verne.
There are no words that seem adequate enough to say thank you to everyone who expressed their sympathy for the loss of our beloved Verne Oliver. She was a wonderful person and through the memories that she gave each of us, she will live on forever in out hearts.
- The Family of Vernell McCarroll Oliver
Tributes
Leave a tributeLéa C. Hammond-Sampson
Lofton Moore, Secretary, The Barnard School Foundation
She's seen it all, from the Time of Depression, The Civil Movement, to our 1st Black President. She made us see through her eyes that things weren't as tough when we didn't believe.
She gave me a job. She made me read books. Yes, made! She was NOT having it, plus there was no way she'd let you out of it. She put me in school. Who on earth does that?! She did and was proud for it.
She cared for us, our children and our community.
I am honored to have had her in my life. Even now can can still hear her voice."There's no such thing as can't." or "Your head is more than a hat rack!" I can go on and on.
She always sparkled like a diamond in a pail of rhinestones.
Jerome Lawrence Castle
,
In her 30's she was as powerfully strong and influential in her marvelous abilities as a visionary and teacher as she continued to be until her death. She will always remain in my psyche/soul as a beacon of light RIP Mrs.O.
NLS - 64
I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me
as good belongs to you.
-Walt Whitman
New Lincoln - 1972 - 1976
friend.
Marci M '81
Leave a Tribute
The music of my song
Some sweet arpeggio of tears
Is written in a minor key
And I
Can be heard humming in the night
Can be heard
Humming
In the night.
Mari Evans
A poem for you on the 10th anniversary of your Transition.
I remember your lesson on poetry and describing it as the most difficult of literary genres. I fell in love and still am some 50 + years later.
Rest in Power Auntie
Verne at Work
Teacher/ par exccellent-1940
Rev.Bobby O.MCarroll,D.D.(youngest of the five children)
My first trip to the "Big City" began friday-nite with a long soaking/bath in the tub,followed by an early bed time.
Excited, saturday morning started with dressing in my short-pants and long stocking outfit, not forgetting to put vasaline on my face, elbows, knees and on my new patten leather shoes.
The long walk from our house in Elizabeth, N.J, (a blue-working-class street- changing into a Black middle-class communiy) to the train station, up the rickied stairs and onto the wooden platform all added to the anticipation/fear of a nine year-old, following his older sister into (what my mother would say was "God only knows where".
The view of the engine spitting out smoke,the feel of rotting seats on by bare legs,the dirty windows, the deafening noise of the wheels on the tracks didn't bode well as we desended into the long black tunnel, under the Hudson River.
Tighly cluching Vernell's hand, we made our way though the ant-hill of Grand-Cental-staition. Scurrying in all direction were more people than lined the parade-route in Elizabeth on the 4th of July.
Our first stop was Radio City Music Hall. As we waited for the elevator, I asked
"why do we have to sit in the balcony like we do at our local movie?" Her answer was " the differrence is that this is New York and were are going to sit in the mizzanine".
The Rocketts (showing more under-clothes than was pictured in my Sears-catolog, under my bed) danced and kicked high.The movie screen seemed a block long and two stories high kept me tranfixed for hours.
Horn and Hardy was our next stop. Five nickles and the slot opened to a beef pot-pie, which was eagerly, devoured
Off Broadway, the marquee read... Paul Robeson in OTHELLO !!!.
I didn't ask Vernell if my mother knew that she had named my brother after a famous character, but knowing moma, I was sure she was completely aware.
Good seat helped me to settle down.
In hushed tones came three quick tutorals:
"Bobby, it's theater...not thee-ate-a'
This is the story ..line and what is going to happen
Now sit back and enjoy!!!
Who was this gaint, black man with a voice so deep that the sound made me shake..But not so much afraid that it stopped me from leaping to my feet and yelling "Othello...Othello..she didn't do it..like that man said".
A gentle but firm hand pulled me back into my seat, as I cried.
At His second curtin call, the lights came up and this hulk of a man leaned from the stage and said "I hope that the critics are as convinced.".
Stepping out into the evening and looking skyward at a thousand/million points of light, my teacher/mentor directed journey of enlightment and learning began for me a life-time of "wondering as I wandered".
As a Biblical teacher/Pastor for more than fourty years, I have hoped and constanly watched for that moment (as Vernell also did) when the lght of understanding/revelation shown in the eyes of my family, friends and students.
"We all dance to the tune we have been shown, but there is one dance we must
all dance alone" author unknow
.
Maranatha.....amen,,,amen REV.22:20