The Geneva Mizell Gullette Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of longtime educator, Mrs. Geneva Gullette. The scholarship was established by Mrs. Gullette’s husband, W.H. Gullette, and their family. Through this scholarship the family hopes to keep alive the memory of Mrs. Gullette, her dedication to education and her great love for Panola College.
Geneva Gullette held an M.A. degree in business from Texas State College for Women (now Texas Women’s University). Her post-graduate work was from the University of Texas in Austin. She taught at Texarkana College before marrying W.H. Gullette. She taught in the McGehee, Arkansas public schools before ultimately moving to Carthage.
She served Panola College for 30 years beginning in 1958. Her teaching responsibilities included a variety of office skills courses as well as economics and accounting. However, her influence was felt beyond the classroom as well. She sponsored the Green Jackets and supported many college activities including dances, concerts, athletic events and dinners for foreign students.
Several of Panola’s championship athletic teams were sent on the road with her Cowboy Cookies. She and her husband, also a Panola educator, sanded and painted countless green horseshoes and railroad spikes as “Good Luck” gifts for students and as favors for various festivities at Panola College.
During their retirement, the Gullettes attended college events until poor health made it difficult for Mrs. Gullette to get out. However, even with the continued decline of her health, her weekly visits to the Panola College Cosmetology Department were bright spots in her life. She had great affection for the instructors and students who gently washed and styled her hair.
Mrs. Gullette and her husband had great confidence in the quality education provided at Panola College. That confidence was well placed as each of their three children, Becky, Bill, Jr. and Ben attended Panola College and then completed degrees at major universities (Texas A&M and The University of Texas). Their daughter, Becky Gullette, was a professor at Panola College.
Geneva Gullette was an educator in her church and in the community as well. As a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church she filled various roles through the years. She taught Sunday School in the Children’s Department, served as a leader for Methodist Youth Fellowship and worked in Vacation Bible School. She was also a member of the Upper Room Sunday School Class and Carter Circle.
The Carthage community also benefited from Geneva Gullette’s compassion and interest in education. She found time to be a member of the Carthage Service League, which supports the Sammy Brown Library. She was also a member of the Texas A&M Mothers Club.
Mrs. Gullette’s older brother, the late Ben Mizell, once told her, “I can’t imagine a finer profession for anyone than teaching.” Geneva Gullette gave credence to that statement by being a fine teacher in a fine profession. The Gullette family hopes that this scholarship will allow her influence to continue to be felt by students seeking an education at Panola College.
The Geneva Mizell Gullette Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to assist a deserving Panola College student.