LETTER TO MISS LOKEY

by Randy Reynolds

When I was in First Grade (1955-56) my dad decided to submit one of his sermons for publication someplace or other and since not even God Almighty could read Dad's handwriting, he rented a typewriter. I came home from school and found it on the table and my heart skipped a few beats as Elvis' heart must have done when he touched his first guitar, or Richard Petty's when he drove his first car, or Hugh Hefner's when he... well, never mind. I was thrilled to have something that modern, that miraculous, in our little parsonage and after watching my daddy hunt and peck on it for awhile, I talked him into giving me a turn.

When he asked what I wanted to type, I told him matter-of-factly, "A letter to Miss Lokey." (My first grade teacher.)

The letter itself has since been lost to history, but as I recall, I wrote something along the lines of: “Dear Miss Lokey, I think you are a very good teacher.” She was bigger than a horse, but I always liked horses and I think I said, “And you are very beautiful. I wrote this on a typewriter. Your student, Randy Reynolds.”

My dad was amazed. Of course, my family's amazement level was fairly low: When I wrote my name on scraps of wood left over after Papa Bonnell sawed some planks, Mama Maude showed it to all her neighbors and told them it just went to prove how smart I was and that I was going to start to school in Fourth Grade. I was disappointed that I ended up starting in First Grade like the other kids my age, but I loved Miss Lokey and that made up for it.

Dad said, “Come here, Violet, and look at this.”

And my mom came in and ooh’ed and ahh’ed and told me how smart I was. She suggested I take it to school and show Miss Lokey, but Dad had a better idea: “Let’s call her and read it to her on the phone.”

Now THAT was exciting.

Daddy told the operator to call Miss Lokey for us (we didn't have rotary dials yet) and when Miss Lokey came on the line I read my letter. At the end of the call, the lady said, “That was very nice, little boy, but I'm afraid you’ve got the wrong Miss Lokey.”

My face burned, my heart pounded and I dropped that telephone receiver like it was something hot. I puckered up to cry and Dad said, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s the wrong Miss Lokey,” I sobbed.

My mother hugged me and told me it was all right and my daddy wanted to find the right Miss Lokey and let me try again, but I was so ashamed of reading that mushy letter to a stranger that I refused to risk it again and no one could talk me into it. I just wanted to forget what a fool I’d made of myself reading to the wrong Miss Lokey.

That was the first letter I wrote to a woman, but certainly not the last. I wrote six letters a day to Sherry from September, 1966, till June, 1967, which is when we got married. I later asked her where the letters were and she said, “Oh, I left them at Mama’s house, under the mattress in my room.” I just about blew a gasket, but she said, “Oh, don’t worry. My mama wouldn’t read your letters. She knows they’re private.” (My mother-in-law couldn’t look at me without blushing for many years after that.)

A few days ago as I was going through a box of my late mother’s things, I came across my report card from 55 years ago, the year I was in Miss Lokey’s class. It kind of made me wonder if her assessment of me would still hold true today...

McDuffie County Public Schools School Year 1955-1956 GRADE: 1-A

Teacher: Allene Lokey

1^st 6 Weeks---Randy is a fine little fellow and I am so glad to claim him as one of mine for this school year. He made the adjustment to school routine much better than you would expect.

2^nd 6 Weeks —Randy has shown steady progress this period. He likes to read and he does understand what he reads. He is getting the sounds of the letters, and before too long he will be able to get most any new words for himself. He does not depend upon the others for any information. … We are glad that you came to see us, Mr. Reynolds, during American Education Week.

3^rd 6 Weeks ---Randy has made excellent progress this period. Randy enjoys his reading, and he understands what he reads. He can and does get most all new words for himself. He thoroughly enjoys the little races that we have been having. Randy is writing unusually well. He will try writing stories for himself.

4^th 6 Weeks —Randy has continued to make his same rapid progress. His mumps leave did not seem to bother him. He came back and went right on with his group. He is reading in our first reader, ‘Good Times on Our Street.’ He is honest and fair in all of his dealings with the children. He is a pleasure to know and teach. He will always take part in any room activity, but he does not always want to be the one.

5^th 6 Weeks —Randy has continued to make the most satisfactory progress in all of his school work. Randy is very, very dependable and when he says a thing you can count on it as being right. He is conscientious and willing to help and he will assume leadership. He reads real good, and puts lots of expression in his reading. He writes well. He is writing some little stories of his own and he has good thoughts in them. He asks for little or no help in spelling. Randy is well-liked by the children. He always has a smile and a kind word for them.

6^th 6 Weeks ---It has really been a pleasure to have had Randy in my room. You as parents have been most cooperative, too. I appreciate you working with me, and I assure that without your help, I could not have accomplished as much as I did. Randy will forget so much of what he has learned, but to help him, I’d like for you to insist that he does some reading this summer. I shall always remember Randy as a mighty fine fellow.

And Miss Lokey was a mighty fine teacher.