Elementary school teacher Mary Lou Godbold served in the Mississippi State Senate during the late 1950’s. Photo credit: Find a Grave
Many outstanding classroom teachers have also had successful careers as politicians. One of these is Mary Lou Godbold, an elementary school teacher from Mississippi who also served in her state’s Senate.
Mary Lou was born on Oct. 15, 1912, in Pike County, Mississippi. As a young woman, she first attended Copiah-Lincoln Junior College. Later she transferred to Mississippi College, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree with Distinction in 1934. She earned her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Mississippi. Once she earned her degrees, Mary Lou became an elementary school teacher in the Mississippi town of Oxford.
In 1930, Mary Lou married Tillman Godbold, a teacher from Lincoln County. In 1955, Tillman was elected on the Democratic ticket to serve in the Mississippi State Senate. Sadly, on April, 1957, he suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and passed away a few hours later. Mary Lou ran unopposed as his replacement in a special election to fill the seat. She won, and served in the State Senate until 1960. When she was sworn in, she became the third female state senator in her state’s history. She also served as the President of the Department of Classroom Teachers at the Mississippi Education Association. She served in this role from 1957—1958.
Once she left office, she became a member of the faculty the University of Mississippi, where she taught courses in education for 20 years before retiring. She also served as the President of the Mississippi Education Association between the years of 1962—1963. In addition, she served a term as President of the Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma (DKG), and another term as the state President of Delta Kappa Gamma. DKG is a professional organization that promotes the advancement of women educators in administrative positions.
After a long life spanning 95 years, Mary Lou passed away from natural causes on April 18, 2008. She is interred in Oxford Memorial Cemetery in Oxford, Mississippi.
