Shelby County Author's Day Event a New Best Seller


From left: Regina Brazzel, Laura Mae Murphy, Neal Murphy, Charlotte Corbell Ingle, Rose Deskin, Vanessa Davis, Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison, City of Center Mayor David Chadwick, Joanna Spano Bush, Lamar Denby, Larry Enmon, Kim Whitton, Maelinda Swanzy, Terri Lacher, Betty Oglesbee, Cheryl A. Hardy, Tiffany Bryant, and Dan Fleming

February 23, 2023 (Event Photo Album) - The first Shelby County Author's Day was well attended by writers and readers making it a new best seller event. Seventeen authors were represented and donated books for door prizes while Friends of the Library and the Woman's Reading Club provided bags for shopper's treasures. Each author was given the opportunity to talk about their books and what inspired them to put their imagination, their stories, or their research into book form for all to enjoy.


From left: Portia Gaines' granddaughter, Emily Glass; nephew, Judge Jim Payne; daughter, Jeannie Gaines; and Mayor David Chadwick

During the Author's Day event, a beloved teacher, Portia Payne Gaines, was honored with a proclamation by Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison and a proclamation from City of Center Mayor David Chadwick. Gaines passed away January 29, 2023. The proclamations can be read below.

Proclamation of the 1st Annual Shelby County Author’s Day February 18, 2023 in Memory of Mrs. Portia Gaines

We welcome each of you, authors, and readers alike, here today to celebrate and set aside a day honoring our local Shelby County and East Texas authors.

Each year, we celebrate National Author's Day on November 1st, taking time to honor authors and the countless number of books written and published.

Books begin as an idea in the author's mind and then they add their heart and soul to that idea and hopefully it eventually becomes a book for all to enjoy and appreciate. They often take months and even years to research, draft, edit, revise, and rewrite, and then the process begins all over again. Their stories then take the journey to the publishers, which can extend those months into more years of waiting for the finished product. That product is then passed on to us, the readers, as we discover our favorite authors, and we take that fabulous journey that began with an idea. 

Shelby County is filled with a variety of talented authors. Their books range from complex thrillers, romance, inspirational, and supernatural, as well as, books for children. Many of these writers have been influenced by one woman in particular, Mrs. Portia Gaines. Mrs. Gaines not only encouraged reading to her English students, but nudged them to pursue their own writing adventures, working toward excellence in their compositions. Mrs. Gaines taught several generations of Center High School English students, and then proceeded to teach English at Panola junior College. As an avid and voracious reader, Mrs. Gaines spread her love of reading to her students. She had a special way of presenting her classes with interest and enthusiasm, and made each student feel like they were her favorite.

Today, we would like to honor and remember Mrs. Portia Gaines, who most of us, will always remember as, Ms. Portia, by setting aside February 18th, 2023, as the first annual Shelby County Author's Day in her memory and her love for the written word.

Therefore, I Allison Harbison, County Judge of Shelby County, Texas by virtue of the authority vested in me by Shelby County and the State of Texas, do hereby proclaim February 18th, 2023 as the first “Shelby County Author’s Day,” to be celebrated each year in memory of Mrs. Portia Gaines. I call. Upon the children, families, educators, librarians, public officials and all the people of Shelby County, Texas to observe this day each year in honor of current and future Shelby County Authors.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 18th day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-three.

City of Center Proclamation Shelby County Author’s Day Mrs. Portia Gaines

Whereas, today the City of Center would like to acknowledge Mrs. Portia Gaines by setting aside February 18th, 2023, as the first annual Shelby County Author’s Day in her memory and love for the written word and 

Whereas, Mrs. Gaines was born Portia Payne on January 9, 1931 in Center, Texas. She was the second of four children born to A.J. Payne and Coy Dellinger Payne. In 1955, she married W.L. “Bill” Gaines.

Whereas, Mrs. Gaines attended Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1948. Where she studied English and Drama. From 1951 to 1991, she taught in the Center Independent School District and proceeded to teach English at Panola Junior College and 

Whereas, Mrs. Gaines not only encouraged reading to her English students, but nudged them to pursue their own writing adventures, working toward excellence in their compositions and 

Whereas, Mrs. Gaines was an avid voracious reader, Mrs. Gaines spread her love of reaching to her students. She had a special way of presenting her classes with interest and enthusiasm, and made each student feel like they were her favorite.

Now, Therefore, I, David Chadwick, Mayor of the City of Center, do hereby proclaim February 18th, 2023 as the first “Shelby County Author’s Day,” to be celebrated each year in memory of Mrs. Portia Gaines. I call upon the children, families, educators, librarians, public officials and all the people of Shelby County, Texas to observe this day each year in honor of current and future Shelby County authors.

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