Margie Carmel Frederic

Margie Carmel Frederic, a beloved educator and former Miss Harrison High, died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, at the age of 76.

Margie Carmel Frederic lived a life dedicated to her faith, family and her profession of teaching. Her career as an educator spanned 50 years and three states, Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana with 41 of those years in the Rapides Parish School System.

Born June 21, 1938, in Magnolia, Mississippi, Mrs. Frederic was the oldest of nine children to the union of the late Amel Carmel and Jestine Carmel.

She accepted Christ at the age of 6 and was baptized in the traditional "old school" Southern way by dipping in the Tangipahoa River under the leadership of the late Rev. Houston McEwen of the Open Top Church, now known as New Star Missionary Baptist Church of Magnolia, Mississippi. She always had a love for her home church and visited as often as she could.

Mrs. Frederic graduated from Harrison High School in Blytheville, where she was crowned Miss Harrison High in 1953 and later reigned as cotton queen. She also served as the marching band's drum majorette and was the school's star basketball player, leading the team to three state championships. Often teased for her skinny legs and diminutive size, teammates say she was small, but "lighting" fast getting down the court and scoring big. Coaches from all around the district were very happy to see her graduate so they could finally start winning games again.

It was in Blytheville that she met the love of her life, Azemar A. Frederic. Call it "divine intervention" as he was superintendent of the Sunday school and she was

a Sunday school teacher at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church. The two married at that very church on March 30, 1957, and remained best friends and soul mates with a love story that would rival any steamy romance novel. Their union produced three children, Demetrice, Dwayne and Stephanie.

Encouraged by her Aunt Octavia Shivers and Uncle M.J. Shivers, and coming from a family of educators, Mrs. Frederic attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and discovered her passion for teaching young children. Upon graduation, she started a career of early childhood education that would last five decades. She taught kindergarten and first grade in public schools in Blytheville, Arkansas, Austin, Texas, and in the Rapides Parish School System in Alexandria, Louisiana, including Oak Hill Elementary, Paradise Elementary, Ball Elementary and Martin Park Elementary.

Hilarious, edgy and creative, Mrs. Frederic made learning fun while staying up-to-date on new teaching tools and resources. She attended educational conferences around the country, always searching for unique and effective ways to connect with her students.

New teachers looked to her as a role model. She believed building a strong foundation was key to a child's future success, therefore, her classroom resembled a school supply store fortified with the everything needed to provide for an excellent education. She had an extraordinary ability to reach young children. For so many of her students, she ignited the fire that sparked a lifelong love of learning. And for those who were coping with challenging situations at home, she was their "other" mother who truly cared and provided the basics of everyday living; plus much-needed love and attention. How ironic that during her final days it was one of her former students who cared for her at Christus St. Francis Cabrini Hospital.

Mrs. Frederic also attended Northwestern State University, where she obtained her master's of science in early childhood education and master's of science plus 30 in early childhood dducation.

Professionally, she was a longtime and active member of the Louisiana Association of Educators, National Association for the Education of Young Children, Southern Early Childhood Association, Louisiana Early Childhood Association, Rapides Association of Educators, National Education Association and the community service organization, Les Melleuses of Alexandria.

As a devoted member of Eastern Star Missionary Baptist Church her teaching extended beyond the classroom where she served as Sunday school teacher, senior missions president, deaconess and director of the vacation Bible school; and in 2012 the school was dedicated in her honor. Margie Frederic loved the Lord, consistently studied the word and trusted God's guidance in every aspect of her life.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories, her mother, Jestine Carmel of Magnolia, Mississippi;

Her husband, Azemar A. Frederic of Alexandria, Louisiana;

Three children, Demetrice Frederic Gammage (Derike) of Arlington, Texas, Dwayne A. Frederic (Cheryl) of Alexandria, Louisiana, and Stephanie Frederic of Los Angeles, California;

Five sisters, Amelia Carmel, Justina Anderson of Magnolia, Mississippi, Nan Malone (Clarence) and Gracie Clay, both of Blytheville, and Helen Ward (Dwight) of Jackson, Mississippi;

Three brothers, Amel Carmel Jr., Edgar Carmel of Magnolia, Mississippi, and Johnny M. Carmel (June) of Alexandria, Louisiana.

Two sisters-in-laws, Alma Frederic Montgomery (John) of Reston, Virginia, and Brenda Frederic Evans (Maurice) of Alexandria, Louisiana;

Four grandchildren, Dezmen Gammage of Fort Worth, Texas, Tiffany King of Las Vegas, Nevada, Dominique Gammage of Arlington, Texas, Dwayne Frederic Jr. of Alexandria, Louisiana, and Delton Gammage (deceased); and

Ten great-grandchildren, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Visitation was Saturday in Alexandria with services at Eastern Star Missionary Baptist Church from 9 a.m. until service time at 11 a.m.

The family has launched the Margie Carmel Frederic Memorial Teacher Fund in her honor to assist first-time kindergarten teachers in buying educational supplies for their classrooms and to continue her legacy of educational excellence. For more information about making a donation, call 318-487-8804 or email Stephanie@fgwproductions.com.