LOIS STRAUSS
ENGLISH & LATIN


Posted at the Malvern Clubs:
I recently found two items in the 
Social Security Death Index on Agee McCray and June Halbert.
Is June the Mrs. Bill Halbert listed in our yearbook.
I never knew Mrs. Halbert's first name.
Any info on her or Mrs. McCray would be appreciated.
I need the first names of several other teachers.
Take a look at our new teacher page and send me any of the first
names you know. 
Thanks,
Bill Lamkins
(12/26/01)

RE TEACHERS:
Miss Agee McCray - Agee E. McCray - I believe - she was never married 
and was sister to the old Dr. McCray and aunt to Dr. Raymond McCray.
Mrs. Charles Baker was Sarah Marie Baker - mother of Billy Mac, Mary Jim, Sarita and June Baker
Mrs. Halbert's name was June - had a daughter named Jan who is also deceased
Mrs. Hilliard Jones was Pauline Goodman Jones - aunt of one of our class members - Betsy Mason McGuire
Mrs. Edwards' name I believe was Carolyn
Mrs. Franklin's name is Lucille
Mrs. Morrison's name - Betty
Mrs. Edward Strauss - Doris, I think
Mrs. (Clinton) Aggie Mae Sanders - taught piano and choir
Mary Jo Avery Bailey
(12/26/01)

We old timers in the '59 group didn't get to call the teachers by their first names 
like you young pups did, so I can't be much help to you. 
I do believe, though, that Ms. Strauss's first name is "Lois", not "Doris" as you have it. 
I remember also that Ms. Overton has a kind of different first name, 
but unfortunately, I can't remember what it is. Her husband's name was "Havis", if that helps. 
Also, you don't have Mr. Fincher, the principal, 
the "voice" of dire and ominous first period intercom pronouncements, 
court of last resort arbiter of disputes, and, most importantly, 
primary dispenser of discipline for all transgressions great and small. 
Although his first name was "Travis", some of my less polite associates 
(it would be shameful to call them "friends", when they behaved like THAT) 
more commonly referred to him as Finchybird, or just "the Bird". 
Old Gold @ 1959 Club
(12/26/01)

Again you are correct Oldgold in Mrs. Strauss's first name being Lois! 
Mary Jo
(12/27/01)

Mrs. Strauss' first name is Lois - not Doris.
Nell Rose Walters Snyder
(12/26/01)

I saw a message where someone said that Mrs Strass' first name was Doris. 
I may be wrong, but I think her first name is Lois. Again, I may be wrong, 
but that sure does stick in the ole memory banks. 
Mike Drain
(12/27/01) 

Lois Elizabeth Strauss, age 95, of Malvern, died Tuesday in the Hot Spring County Medical Center. 
She was born December 29, 1907, in Monticello, Arkansas, to the late Mr. and Mrs. Young R. Royal. 
Reared and receiving her early education in Monticello, Mrs. Strauss graduated from Ouachita Baptist University 
with a B.S.E. degree and went on the earn her Master's degree in education. 
A great deal of her career was spent teaching in the Malvern Public School System, from which she retired in 1968. 
She was a member of the First United Methodist Chruch, where she had taught Sunday School for many years. 
Mrs. Strauss was also a faithful and longtime member of the Hot spring County Medical Center Auxiliary. 
She was the widow of the late Edwin N. Strauss, who died in Decemebr of 1971.
Her surviors include her step-son, Edwin N. Strauss of Malvern, two nieces, Carolyn Neal of Little Rock and 
Margaret Brown of California; four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at eleven o'clock Thursday morning, June 26, 2003, 
in the Toler Chapel of First United Methodist Church with reverend Roy P. Smith fficiating. 
Arrangements are by J.A. Funk Funeral Home.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of her Sunday School Class.
The family request that in lieu of flowers, memorials may take the form of contributions to First United Methodist Church.
-Malvern Daily Record
(6/25/03)

Mrs Strauss died. Her funeral is tomorrow, Thursday, June 26th, 11AM, at the Methodist Church in Malvern. 
-Mike Drain
(6/25/03)

I'm really sorry to hear that. Ms. Strauss was one of my favorite teachers and a nice person.
Remembering Ms. Strauss's eye for detail, she would have probably counseled the writer for all the typos in the obit, 
but since it probably came from the Daily Record (famous for recently running pictures with the caption, "Where's This AT?"), 
I suspect she would not have been surprised.
I'll never forget when Coach Burton told us of her comment about an anonymous MHS'er:
"He's a fine student, but he picks his nose with the unconscious thoroughness of a four-year-old!"
-Conrad Lawson
(6/25/03)

Thanks for the report. Sorry to hear the bad news. 
I always admired her and learned a lot in her class, albeit, some never used again in life, so far.
Really difficult to believe that she was 95 years old.  
Seems like yesterday, when her vibrance graced the classroom.,Chauccer (Sp?) flashbacks, included.
-Ken Gray
(6/25/03)

I am so sorry also, I loved her as a teacher and wonderful lady.
-Judy Keeley
(6/26/03)

Im sorry to hear about Mrs Strauss. She was a fine and wonderful teacher.
-Dianne Edwards Henderson
(6/26/03)

But that reminds me of another of Ms. Strauss's favorite expressions:  "If wishes were horses, beggars might ride."
-Conrad
(6/26/03)

I am impressed that we all think of her as a fine and wonderful teacher now. 
However, I don't think that was the words I used to hear when she was teaching all of us. 
She was a very demanding teacher. 
Now I see the value of that but then I thought she was a tough old bird. 
Oh well, time takes care of all things.
-Jan Owens
(6/26/03)

Jan, I have to say that I always liked Mrs. Strauss. 
I always noticed after a "stern" lecture, this faint little smile that gave some reassurance that things were OK. 
Does anyone know where she was buried? 
The MDR didn't indicate where. She may have been cremated. 
-Mike Drain
(6/27/03)

Interesting observations regarding perceptions of Ms. Strauss's demeanor. 
Maybe she changed over the years, but when I was in her sophomore English
class, I don't remember her raising her voice, or taking any specific
disciplinary actions to control the class. I remember her as soft-spoken, but
demanding and effective. But, that's just my perception. And, for each of
us, perception becomes reality. I do know that students at any level of the
education process are privileged indeed to be taught by someone whose actions,
intelligence, and competence engender respect. We had a few (but maybe not
enough) of those at MHS. For me, Ms. Strauss certainly qualified.
-Conrad
(6/27/03)

Posted at the internet club:
Mac Gates has died!  So has Mrs. Strauss.
-Jake Lamkins
(7/6/03)

Thanks, Bill-Jake! Both were favorites of mine! 
Later...
Martha Chadwick Lindvall
(7/6/03)

Malvern Facebook post
P.S. I would also like to hear from anyone who knew or studied under my Grandmother, Lois Strauss. 
She taught English and Latin at MHS, retiring in 1968 or 69. Pictures would be great. 
Thank you.
-Scott Michael Strauss
(11/5/16)

My mother Thelma Roland played bridge with her. She taught me Latin.
-Andrew Roland 
(11/5/16)

I had Mrs. Strauss for my Latin teacher for at least two years. 
She was one of my favorite teachers at MHS. (She also sponsored our Latin Club.) 
As a school teacher, she was a role model for me. 
She was "first-class" as a person and a teacher. 
Professionalism would describe her dress, personality, and teaching skills!
-Barbara Scott Curtis 
(11/5/16)

Always a lady. Always dressed to a T (or however that saying goes). 
Most kids thought she was stern but I didn't. 
She was always one of my favorite teachers. 
I took Latin in 9th but I don't think it was offered in high school.
-Kaye Rowley Lee 
(11/5/16)

Mrs. Strauss was my 10th grade Latin II teacher. 
In one of our lessons, many of the class translated the word "Calvary" instead of "cavalry". 
We had a strenuous lesson on blasphemy! Great teacher!
-Kay Campbell 
(11/5/16)

Mrs. Strauss was my 10th grade English teacher. 
She was always classy dressed. 
There was No silliness in her class and no nicknames. Great teacher!
-Judy Heath 
(11/5/16)

Latin II, 1964......very classy lady, always impeccably dressed, excellent teacher. 
After her class I had no problem with a Spanish major in college.
-Bill Richardson 
(11/5/16)

Thank you all for the kind words about my grandmother. 
Your memories of her are consistent with my own. 
I hope some one has photographs, perhaps from a yearbook. 
-Scott Michael Strauss 
(11/5/16)

Took Latin I & II under Mrs. Strauss in 62 to 64. 
As others have said she was a very classy lady, prim and proper. 
Yet her classes were always fun. Was in Latin Club 2 years. 
We had some great toga parties. 
Can still remember reciting speeches from Julius Caesar and conjugating verbs thru all six tenses over and over...
-Steve Stuart 
(11/5/16)

amo, amas, amat, amamus, amatis, amant.
-Donald J Loser 
(11/5/16)

She has a memorial webpage at our MHS Class of 1960 website: 
http://malvern1960.tripod.com/Lois_Strauss.html
Lois Strauss
Memoriam to Lois Strauss
malvern1960.tripod.com
-Bill Lamkins 
(11/5/16)

Loved Mrs. Straus. Was in her Latin class and also Senior English--
but I think it had another name. Lots of literature.
-Sandra Petray Hillier 
(11/5/16)

My aunt and she were in Ouachita together.
-Benjamin Owen 
(11/5/16)

Like everyone else has said she was a beautiful classy lady. 
Loved having her for English.
-Martha Gilbert 
(11/5/16)

There were many great teachers during my time at MHS, 
but Ms. Strauss was the best, and my all time favorite!
I've told this story on here before, but It sticks in my memory. 
Ms. Strauss once had a conversation with Coach Burton, 
in which she talked about one of her students who played football. 
Coach Burton called us together and told us to be careful about our behavior in the classroom. 
He said Ms Strauss told him about one guy (he didn't name him--could have been me!) in her class, 
and she said, "He's a fine student, but he picks his nose with the unconscious thoroughness of a 4 year old!" 
I can see her saying that! It is her exactly!
-Conrad Lawson 
(11/5/16)

My mother, Ruth Wells Estes, graduated in 1942 and remembers taking Latin from Mrs. Strauss.
-Shari Estes Giddens 
(11/6/16)

One of my favorite teachers..had her for 10th and 11th Literature..
-Karen Pence Phillips 
(11/6/16)

Ditto what Barbara Scott said ref Mrs. Strauss....2 yrs of Latin......
I didn't do particularly well, but she was a great teacher....
-Greg Loser 
(11/6/16)

I never had her but I always thought she was a very striking lady with a lot of class..............
very well respected by students and faculty.
-Bill Corley 
(11/6/16)