NINETY-SIX-YEAR-OLD Joyce May Gray (centre), who started Evans Basic School in September 1954, is flanked by two of her first students, Gilford Golding and Gloria Rochester, at a function held to honour her sterling contribution to education last Saturday at the school in Mannings Hill, St Andrew.

Rochester, who organised the function, described Gray as a “humble, dedicated, resilient, strong, beautiful, and caring woman”.

“School was eight or 12 of us under the coconut bows on the bamboo benches. Every subject was taught and without a curriculum. Our voices resounded in the valleys of Pinto Hill, especially after lunch, with Psalms 100,” Rochester said.

“Rainy afternoons were spent in her room wherever there was space, except on her bed, and yes, school continued and in perfect order. Yes, discipline was always in toe with just a look and never broken English. For me, Miss drew the blueprint for my life in Pinto Hill, and I have never forgotten the memory verses,” Rochester added.