"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson
If you want a practical example of what Jackie Robinson was talking about, you need look no further than the life of Mr. William Gilbert, who was honored at a Head Start reunion recently.
Proclamations were also issued in his honor by the Eatonton City Council and the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.
“Mr. Gilbert has been a pillar of our community for more than 60 years,” former student Dr. William Monday said. “As the director of Head Start in Eatonton, he impacted the lives of thousands of students and families. Many of those he guided and supported went on to become doctors, lawyers, educators, dentists, and engineers. His legacy is a testament to the foundation he helped build. He also shared powerful stories with me about his service as a United States Army lieutenant. His experiences and sacrifices paved the way for future generations, including myself, and left a lasting legacy of resilience and leadership.
“Even into his 90s, Mr. Gilbert continues to inspire others with his wisdom, compassion, and unwavering commitment to people. He is not only a great leader but a man who truly cares about the well-being of others, both in our community and beyond.”
Putnam County teacher Annette Few-Farley, a veteran of 27 years in the classroom, said Gilbert is a towering figure in Putnam County education.
“He is a great man who has instilled moral values that we still use today,” Few-Farley said. “He always took care of the kids and the staff and made sure the parents had what they needed to help their children.”
Seventy-two-year-old Sandra Parham, who taught for 35 years in Monticello and Putnam County, has known Gilbert for most of her life. He was her sixth-grade teacher at the all-Black Butler-Baker School, and she attended science classes with Gilbert as her instructor in the 10th grade. She moved over to Putnam County High School as a junior when the school system was integrated.
“My grandmother also worked with him when Head Start was in its first building in town. He bought two station wagons to replace the buses. He always wanted to make sure little Black children could take advantage of the Head Start program.”
Parham said Gilbert has also been a pillar of St. John AME Church in Eatonton.
“He has meant so much to our children, and he has always made sure the pastor had everything needed.”
Parham said Gilbert came to Butler-Baker from the reform school in Alto, so some students were justifiably intimidated, but Gilbert turned out to be more of a teddy bear than a tyrant.
“It was a family atmosphere,” Parham said. “We revered our teachers the same way we felt about our parents. Back then, if you were in trouble at school, you were in trouble at home.”
Parham said Gilbert made science interesting and was one of the first teachers to assign research papers.
Gilbert’s legacy will continue to be felt in Putnam County and beyond for generations to come.