Mrs. Juanita Rachael Pugh Magee, was my childhood piano teacher and what a phenomenal teacher she was! It was on her birthday, that I last saw her. I enjoyed every single one of those precious minutes, that I was with her. We laughed, we talked about music, she made me do a bible quiz (in true Mrs. Magee fashion,) we took pictures, and she made me take birthday cake (even against my will...lol) I just sat there and enjoyed being in her presence, soaking in all of the nuggets of wisdom that she shared. God allowed us to be in each other's lives for almost 35 years! At the age of 5 or 6 years old, at the end of Vacation Bible School, she walked up to my mother and said "this baby is musically inclined. You need to put her in piano lessons." My mother being a single parent and dealing with significant chronic illnesses and many medical bills, look at her and said, "I would if I could, but I just can't afford it." Mrs. Magee looked at my mother and so graciously said "I didn't ask you for a dime. Bring her to me and I'll teach her." She did just that and taught me until I was 18 years old, right before leaving for college. She faithfully taught me until my mother was able to pay for my lessons. She had a special love for children. She was the most sought-after piano teacher in my hometown!! I'm still baffled as to how she effectively taught 50 private piano students (and sometimes more) every single week. However, she did it for years until she began teaching group lessons! She knew what God had assigned her to do and she did it with excellence! Because of that, God was faithful, and she was fruitful! This has encouraged me to be the best music teacher that I can possibly be. At 91 years old she was still in her right mind, still worshipping and praising God, no matter where she was. She was still teaching students, even at that age. There's never been a time that she didn't have an encouraging word for me and a whole lot of wisdom for me to ponder on. She would always tell me how proud she was of me (even if it had nothing to do with music.) She would remind me that God had so graciously gifted me and that I needed to utilize every single one of those gifts, for His glory. A few years ago, I shared with her the vision that I have for music ministry. Because of my issues with fear (and yes, it's still a major struggle for me, I told her that I didn't understand why no one else had done it already. She said to me, in such a direct yet loving way...."LaShanna, it hasn't been done yet because God gave YOU that assignment. Don't be afraid baby, just do what He wants you to do." I said to her, "yes ma'am, I'm going to do just that." I can write a book about this beautiful lady. Missing her is an understatement! She has poured so much, into my life. She wasn't just a teacher; she was family to me. She wasn't just a musician, but she was a true child of God; one who practiced what she preached. She loved the Lord and wasn't ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!! I am humbled to carry on her beautiful legacy of teaching precious children, music! She may be physically gone from this world, but she will always be loved and never forgotten!
Mrs. Hazel Bagent was my Jr. High chorus teacher! No doubt, she was my favorite public school teacher! Our paths crossed prior to me being in her class, but after becoming her student we formed such a special bond that lasted until God called her home. I am forever grateful for the two years that I spent in her class and how she not only taught me music, but how she so very often, shared wisdom and knowledge, that helped to shape me into the woman and singer that I am today. I will never forget how she allowed me to come into her classroom during lunch time, when she could have eaten lunch alone. Sometimes she would share her lunch or buy lunch for me, to keep me from eating in the cafeteria (which I strongly disliked.) It helped to get me through such a rough time, while my mother was extremely ill and in the hospital for three long months. Now looking back, I believe that her choir class was my main motivation for going to school when I wasn't sure if my mother would live or not. She was a stern, yet loving and caring teacher who looked out for the best interest of her students. She loved her job, and it was expressed every single day as she taught us! From singing the roll call each day to reminding us through song, that chewing gum wasn't acceptable nor tolerated in her choir, there was never a boring moment, in her class! She had one of the most beautiful voices that you will ever hear! Her voice was so unique, that it commanded the attention of any audience she sang before. She made singing look so very easy, but what was behind that singer (with a voice that would bring you to tears) was a very discipline vocalist/musician that took her God-given assignment serious! From songs like "My Living Shall Not Be in Vain" to "Touch Somebody's Life", she took them and made them her own! I will never be able to adequately express, how great of an impact she was, not only in my life, but in everyone else's life, that she's sown seeds. She was a strong faith warrior! One that didn't let challenges stop her from being a witness for Jesus. I admired (and will always admire) her dearly! I thank God that he allowed her to play an instrumental role my life. I thank God for Mrs. Bagent and couldn't imagine what my life would have been, had she not been in it! Ironically, the last time I saw Mrs. Bagent was on her 80th birthday.... a day that I didn't want to end. What a jewel she was, not only to her family and students, but to the entire body of Christ. I am forever grateful to have known and loved her. It's an honor to carry on just a small part of her legacy.
Little Miss Butler, was my nickname in school, and I definitely wore that title proudly! Mrs. Barbara Conrad Butler was one of my music mentors and hands down the absolute best High School Choir teacher, in Washington Parish! She taught music in public school for 40 years. Growing up, I lived one street over from her. I grew up hearing the Bogalusa High Choir sing for different events, like the Washington Parish Free Fair, but it was during my 6th grade year, where I gained a true love and appreciation for Mrs. Butler. That particular year, our elementary school choir got a chance to sing at Mrs. Butler's annual "Christmas in Song" program that so many in the community looked forward to attending each year. Not only did our choir participate in that program, but I got an opportunity to sing lead on "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus." Once we were done singing, we got a chance to sit and watch Mrs. Butler's choir perform. It was simply amazing! I remember sitting there, wondering "how could this little lady stand and direct students that were twice her size and get such a beautiful sound out of them?" It was that very evening, that I began envisioning myself directing choirs just as she did. She was an absolute master at her craft! I knew that I wanted to learn more from her and one day be able to do what she did. For months, I thought about that Christmas program and thought to myself, "somehow I've got to talk to her." "I want to get to know her better." One day I decided to write a letter, expressing to Mrs. Butler, how much I admired her. I worked up enough nerves to hand deliver the letter to her. I walked around the corner to her house and stood there for a minute or two, contemplating if I should ring the doorbell or just leave the note there and run. I decided to ring the doorbell, in hopes that she would answer it. Well, someone did answer the door, but it didn't go according as planned. Little did I know, I had interrupted a Spartanette Service Club meeting (a service club that Mrs. Butler co-founded and one that I would later become a proud member of.) I thought that she would be upset that I interrupted the meeting, but I was so relieved when she gave me the biggest smile and accepted the letter from me. That day was the beginning of the special bond we shared, until she passed away. I didn't get a chance to be in Mrs. Butler's class, because she retired the year before I entered high school. I was heartbroken, because I really looked forward to it. However, looking back, I wouldn't have changed a thing. I may not have been a "student" of hers, but in so many ways I was. She recognized the singing ability in me and did everything that she could to cultivate it. We became so close, that she would even call me her daughter. She passed away when I was 16 years old, and I was completely crushed! It seems like I needed much more time to learn and grow from her. However, I thank God for the time that he gave us. I learned so many wonderful things from her, that I hold near and dear to my heart, even to this day. Her most famous quote will be forever etched in my mind "No one monkey stops the show." All of her students, mentees, etc. is very familiar with this statement, because she truly believed that no one (including herself) was irreplaceable. She taught us that the show must go on with or without her. As much as I would love for her to be here today, she taught me to keep things moving! I will forever love her, and I'm honored to carry on this part of her legacy!