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Helen Sheringham Wilson Gantt

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Birth	:	2 Jul 1926 Arrington, Nelson County, Virginia, USA
Death	:	8 Mar 2011 Lovingston, Nelson County, Virginia, USA
Burial	:	Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.6502991, -75.3628006
Description	:	When Helen Sheringham Wilson was born on July 2, 1926, in Arrington, Virginia, her father, Arthur, was 47, and her mother, Lucy, was 30. She married Henry Lewis Gantt on June 26, 1948, in her hometown. She died on March 8, 2011, in Lovingston, Virginia, at the age of 84, and was buried in Arrington, Virginia. Helen did student teaching at Lovingston High School and then at Tye River Station and Fork Mountain School in Montebello. She then went to Longwood for additional courses in education. After completing her classes she taught at Rockfish Valley Elementary School... Read More	When Helen Sheringham Wilson was born on July 2, 1926, in Arrington, Virginia, her father, Arthur, was 47, and her mother, Lucy, was 30. She married Henry Lewis Gantt on June 26, 1948, in her hometown. She died on March 8, 2011, in Lovingston, Virginia, at the age of 84, and was buried in Arrington, Virginia. Helen did student teaching at Lovingston High School and then at Tye River Station and Fork Mountain School in Montebello. She then went to Longwood for additional courses in education. After completing her classes she taught at Rockfish Valley Elementary School for a year before marrying Lewis Gantt, Jr. Thereafter she worked in various aspects of government in Nelson County including about eight years as the County Registrar for Montebello and Nellys Ford. Helen was the sister of Arthur F. Wilson, Jr. who married Lewis' sister Juliet. This 1998 article from the Nelson County Times goes into additional detail: Gantt By April Moore Staff Writer FULL NAME: Helen Wilson Gantt BIRTHPLACE: Arrington EDUCATION: Lovingston High School, University of Virginia and Longwood College OCCUPATION: retired registrar of Nelson County, teacher FAMILY: husband, Lewis H. Gantt OUTSIDE INTERESTS: gardening, sewing, collecting Former teacher Helen Gantt has wonderful memories of teaching in a one-room schoolhouse 45 years ago that linger in the twinkle of her eyes as she speaks. When the topic focuses on the issues schools face today, however, that twinkle is overcome by a look of sadness. Former teacher Helen Gantt has wonderful memories of teaching in a one-room schoolhouse 45 years ago that linger in the twinkle of her eyes as she speaks. When the topic focuses on the issues schools face today, however, that twinkle is overcome by a look of sadness. Gantt taught grades one through seven at Fork Mountain School in Montebello in 1944. It was her first job as a full-time teacher. "I thoroughly enjoyed it," she said. "It was wonderful. The children did what you told them to do." The Montebello school had no electricity, no telephone and the only bathroom was outside. Gantt taught 17 students in the one room, and she said she found that "most interesting." "The older children would help the younger children," said Gantt, "and I found that the students knew what to expect because they would hear (the lesson) the year before." Because the students were in the same room, they would overhear the lessons for the students in the other grades. The lessons remained constant from one year to the next. Gantt had previous experience teaching as a substitute during her senior year in high school, when she taught freshman at the same school. "It was during the war and they needed extra help," said the 72-year-old woman. "It worked real well. The students respected me." Gantt never planned to be a teacher, but she grew to love the job. She worked at Tye River School, which had four rooms, after teaching at Fork Mountain from 1944-1945. Although there were four rooms in the Tye River School, Gantt was the only teacher, and the other rooms were vacant. She taught less than 20 students in grades one through four at Tye River. After she spent a year at Tye River School, Gantt went to college at the University of Virginia for one quarter in order to take classes in education. Longwood College was the next step for Gantt n 1947. While Gantt was in college, she started dating the man who is now her husband, Lewis. "We had known each other for years," Helen Gantt said. "The first date we went on was when I invited him to the Mardi Gras dance at Longwood." Lewis Gantt remembers the night vividly. "It was a beautiful start," he said. "I was bringing her home and the car broke down," he continued with a chuckle. Helen Gantt taught first. and second grade at Rockfish Valley Elementary School after she finished college. She was one of about 12 teachers at the school. She taught at the Rockfish school full-time until she was married in 1948, after which she only taught as a substitute. She quit teaching in 1955. Many changes have taken place in the school system since Helen Gantt taught about 40 years ago, and she says that although she has seen positive changes, she has witnessed negative changes, as well. "There's not as much respect," said the former schoolteacher. "(One of the most vivid memories is) the respect that the children had for the teacher and the respect that the parents had." There were also more schools throughout Nelson County 40 years ago. "There were probably about 40 schools in Nelson back then," Helen Gantt said. Schools were scattered across the county so that more children would have access to them. Many students walked to and from school every day. "Even I had to walk a mile to get to (the Montebello) school," Helen Gantt said. Helen Gantt also is proud of the increased variety of subjects offered by schools compared to when she was a teacher. In 1945, only the core subjects of math, science, history, English and handwriting were offered to students. Although there are many positive aspects of the school system, Helen Gantt becomes worried when she speaks of the negative aspects. Violence and respect are among those changes. Helen Gantt not only spent many years teaching, she also filled the role of the county registrar for 31 years. Sixteen. of those years she provided a full-time role after Virginia required all counties to have a full-time registrar. "I liked meeting the people and helping the voters," she said of her job as the registrar. A role that Helen Gantt wanted to continue was that of a social worker with the Nelson. County Welfare Department, where she worked for four years. "I didn't have the degree required for the job," she said. "I was two credits short." Helen Gantt also worked for the Nelson County Chamber of Commerce, The Nelson County Farm Bureau and the Nelson. County Industrial Development Corporation. Because she held many positions with the county, she also has noticed many changes in the county, including an increase in the population, improvements in the process of voting and improved roads. Helen Gantt smiles the most, however, when she speaks of her years teaching children. "One of the most wonderful parts is that even today when we go to different parts of the area," her husband said while she sat smiling, "she'll always run into some of her early students, and they'll start reminiscing." "She ran into one of her students in the grocery store the other day," he continued, "and I got lost in the aisles. while they were sharing stories." Helen Gantt remembers her students and their parents because they gave her something she will never forget. "I will always remember the kindness of the students and the parents," she said as she sat back in her chair smiling. "It really made a difference."

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Helen Sheringham Wilson Gantt's memorial?
Helen Sheringham Wilson Gantt's memorial is located at: Holy Saviour Cemetery, Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA.
When did Helen Sheringham Wilson Gantt death?
Helen Sheringham Wilson Gantt death on 8 Mar 2011 in Lovingston, Nelson County, Virginia, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Helen Sheringham Wilson Gantt's memorial?
Latitude: 40.6502991
Longitude: -75.3628006

Family Members:

Parent

Arthur Frewen Wilson Jr.

(1878 - 1952)

Lucy Sheringham Wilson

(1895 - 1984)

Spouse

Capt Henry Lewis Gantt Jr.

(1918 - 2011)

Siblings

Jeannette Sheringham Wilson Steele

(1923 - 2007)

Arthur Frewen Wilson Jr.

(1924 - 1991)

Joan Sheringham Wilson DeMasters

(1928 - 2012)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Holy Saviour Cemetery
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6502991, -75.3628006

2. Saint Thomas United Church of Christ Cemetery
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6558900, -75.3609500

3. Altona Cemetery
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6571999, -75.3608017

4. First Presbyterian Church Memorial Gardens
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6458610, -75.3755440

5. Memorial Park Cemetery
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6397018, -75.3688965

6. School Sisters of Saint Francis Cemetery
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6488550, -75.3844960

7. Fairview Cemetery
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6335500, -75.3781600

8. Freemansburg Cemetery
Freemansburg, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6251600, -75.3382700

9. Zion Evangelical Cemetery
Freemansburg, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6256100, -75.3366100

10. Trinity United Church of Christ Cemetery
Freemansburg, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6253500, -75.3355300

11. Trinity Episcopal Memorial Garden
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6207100, -75.3803700

12. Nisky Hill Cemetery
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6185700, -75.3733700

13. Moravian Cemetery
Bethlehem, Lehigh County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6200029, -75.3796274

14. Moravian Cemetery
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6199989, -75.3803024

15. Revolutionary War Burial Ground
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6218262, -75.3853378

16. Saint Joseph Episcopal Church Cemetery
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6107240, -75.3588040

17. Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cemetery
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6107240, -75.3585020

18. Primitive Hillside Cemetery
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6132000, -75.3830833

19. Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6461000, -75.3085000

20. Saint Michael's Cemetery
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6086006, -75.3619003

21. Cathedral Church of the Nativity Memorial Garden
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6115140, -75.3836360

22. Farmersville Cemetery
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6666900, -75.3047900

23. Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Cemetery
Bethlehem, Northampton County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6041985, -75.3488998

24. Schoenersville Cemetery
Schoenersville, Lehigh County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6598300, -75.4251000