March 17, 2019 - An African American Woman who sat on the City Council of Center was Mrs. Gretchen McNealy. She served for over twenty years. The story of Gretchen's getting to live in Center, Texas was no accident. She was a relative of Mrs. DeIvory Sampson who moved to Center from Commerce, Texas to live with her and the family. We know Mrs. Sampson as the wife of the principal of C. H. Daniels High, Mr. Perry Sampson, during the years 1950's and 1960's.
Mrs. Gretchen graduated from Daniels and went to Texas College where she received her Bachelors. She later went to Stephen F Austin and received her Masters of Arts. That was not enough education for Mrs. McNealy because she attended Whiddon Memorial School of Nursing in Everett, Massachusetts. Evidently she believed in continuing education.
Mrs. Gretchen moved back to Center and began working in the public schools in Panola County, Strong Public School and the public schools of Center. She spent thirty-five years in the field of education. Sometimes in these years, she met and married Joe Nathan McNealy (now deceased) an educated man who also became a teacher in the Shelby County Area. He served as Associate Pastor at St. Paul Baptist Church in Center where the family were members and active in the church.
The McNealy's had four children, two girls and two boys. Each were active in sports in high school and other activities. They extended their knowledge by attending and completing higher education at various schools in Texas. They have children and all are living in the Dallas area. Mrs. McNealy is proud of her children.
She was very active with various other committees besides being on the City Council with a goal of the betterment of good living for the residents of Shelby County. She served on the Planning and Zoning Commission on Loop 500, the Crime Stoppers Committee, and many others. Mr. McNealy served on the Center Planning and Zoning Commission for planning Center's growth and development. Thus, this couple cared about their community. They were productive citizens of Center.
Mrs. McNealy remained in Center several years after her husband's transition but now is living in the Dallas area with a daughter, being close to all her children and grandchildren. She has shown strides in developing education, culture and support of a better society.
