RHS library gets school history book
RUSSELLVILLE — Johnny Mack Morrow has presented the Russellville High School Library a signed copy of the book “A History of The Russellville City Schools.”
Morrow, who represented District 18 in the Alabama House of Representatives for nearly three decades, received the book from author Dr. R. M. Courington around the time Courington retired.
The copy includes a handwritten inscription and signatures from Courington and his wife, Eloise.
Superintendent Dr. Tim Guinn received the book on behalf of the school system.
“As we dedicate this signed copy, ‘A History of the Russellville City Schools,’… we do more than honor one outstanding leader,” Guinn said.
Guinn said the dedication also recognizes the longer history of the school system, which began in 1929, and the leaders who guided it through decades of change.
“The success we enjoy today did not happen by accident. It rests squarely on the leadership of those who came before us,” he said.
The book traces the development of Russellville City Schools from the system’s early years through later growth and change. It offers a written record of how the system evolved and who helped shape it.
Courington, who served in leadership roles within the system, worked with others to compile the history. He drew on records, recollections, and community memory to create the account.
For Morrow, the book has long meant more than a reference volume.
“Along about the time that Rube Courington retired, he came to me, and he said, ‘Johnny Mack, I have a presentation I want to give you,’” Morrow said of the book with the special inscription.
For years, Morrow kept the book among his personal belongings. He said it reminded him of his friendship with Courington and of Courington’s work to preserve the system’s story.
Recently, Morrow said he started thinking about what should happen to the book in the long run.
“I was looking through my things the other day, and I said, ‘I’m not going to be around forever. What can I do so people will appreciate what it is?’” Morrow said he contacted Guinn, whom he described as a friend and former student, to talk through the idea of giving the book to the school system. That conversation led to the plan to present the signed copy and place it in the Russellville High School Library.
Morrow said he wants students to see the book and understand why it matters.
“Maybe, just maybe, a student in reading about the history of Russellville City Schools will be challenged to excel at something,” Morrow said.
Russellville High Principal Col. Norman Lier said the district plans to include the book in a mini museum inside the school.
“History is very important. Every tradition starts for the first time, and it started in 1929, so we are in the process of developing a mini museum in our hallway that will showcase artifacts from our history,” Lier said.
