Rush Olga Rhoades attended his first semester at Arkansas State Normal School for teachers in 1912, when the school was only 5 years old. He left school to serve a year in World War I, but returned to graduate in 1917. He taught school all over Yell, Scott, and Perry counties as well as in Bellville, Houston, Grovelly, Mulberry, Parks and more. He also taught in Ada and Potoau, located in eastern Oklahoma. He furthered his education in Ada, Oklahoma while teaching. Per the State Department of Education’s request, he retired from teaching at the age of 71.
The large framed diploma hung on the wall of his home from 1917 until 2001 when his daughter passed away. Mr. Rhoades died March 7, 1990.
Box 1 – Oversized
Item 1 – 18 ½ x 22 1/4” – Arkansas State Normal School Diploma issue to Rush Olga Rhoades – July 27, 1917
File 1 – Copies of photos and information on Mr. Rhoades’ family