Bom-Wrapper

Augusta Boatright
Memorial Candle Tribute From
Ocker-Putman Funeral Homes
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
View full message >>>
Leave a condolence

Condolences

Condolence From: David A. Powell
Condolence: I have never forgotten Augusta Koen Boatright, my high school American history teacher at Northside High School in Fort Smith. I remember her foremost as someone who had the courage in 1965 to speak with uncompromising directess to our American class about the active involvement she and her husband had in the Civil Rights Movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (whose May 18, 1967 Denver University speech I later had the fortune to attend) and precisely why she felt this involvement was not only important but absolutely necessary … and I can still feel the stunned silence of the class and hear her words as she spoke. What it all came down to was this: IF we don't consider this cause as "our cause" – and not just the cause of all the people still living in their segregated part of town on the north side of Fort Smith, Arkansas – still attending in 1965 their own schools, etc. – this will amount to a complete betrayal of all we only IMAGINE that we stand for as a nation.

Mrs. Boatright, then, possessed a remarkable gift for shocking an entire class of 17-year-olds into complete silence by just standing up and stating what should be obvious to anyone who thinks. I will also never forget a "cultural" film Mrs. Boatright showed to our class featuring a prominent European string quartet performing in live concert a string quartet from Brahms … and which stands out in my memory as the only instance of anything like it during my entire time in high school.

A Brahms string quartet, naturally, has nothing to do with American history – but this, I think, was the intended message: there exist completely "useless" things in this world (even though we may have no relation to them) which remain, in their own way, as "priceless" as the American concepts of "freedom and justice."

As it turned out, the whole class was stunned throughout this film as well – as though it was the first time in their lives most of them had ever heard a string quartet … which was very likely the case and entirely justified including the film in an American history class.

Nothing I've discovered since I sat in Mrs. Boatright's class can contradict what Karl the Austrian writer Kraus wrote approximately a century ago:

"The real end of the world is the destruction of the spirit; the other kind depends on the insignificant attempt to see whether after such a destruction the world can go on."
Wednesday March 28, 2018
Condolence From: Donna Killgore Talley
Condolence: Mrs. Boatright was my History Teacher in Van Buren, AR. She was one of my favorite teachers. I will always be grateful for her way of making history interesting. In 1993-1995, I was Oklahoma State President of The Delta Kappa Gamma Society. I was invited to visit the Ft. Smith chapter and there was my favorite History teacher. It was wonderful to see her again and to be able to tell how important she had been to me. I will always have a deep appreciation for both she and her husband for the wonderful examples they were to all of us. Donna K. Talley
Sunday May 07, 2017
Condolence From: Joy Cory
Condolence: Mrs. Boatright was my twin sister and my American History teacher at Northside High School. She was an inspiration to so many teenage girls, inspiring them to become educated, professional women. She had a caring spirit, while at the same time holding high expectations for her students. We both went on to earn MBAs and my sister a PhD--we're so glad she gave of herself to us.
Wednesday April 19, 2017
Condolence From: Phillips Family
Condolence: My condolences to you and your family for the loss of your dear loved one. Losing a loved one is a distressing and painful time. We have assurance from God’s word at Psalm 34:18 that he is near to those brokenhearted and he saves those crushed in spirit. It is my hope that your family will find strength to endure during the days ahead.
Wednesday April 19, 2017

Recently Lit Candles

Recently Shared Stories

Recently Shared Photos

Share by: