Former State Senator and gubernatorial candidate Mae Beavers cancelled her scheduled appearance at Tuesday’s SCORE Gubernatorial Forum debate with the announcement of the loss of her beloved mother, Evelyn Louise Spruill:
It is with much regret that I will not be able to be at the SCORE Gubernatorial debate tonight. SCORE is focused on educational issues and you will not find a candidate more passionate about the education of all our children. My mother passed away this weekend and her funeral was today, and though I was looking forward to this debate, it is not possible to be with you tonight.
My mother was one of the hardest working women you have ever known. When we four children were small she babysat for others and did laundry for Trevecca Nazarene University students so that she and Dad could pay tuition for four children to go to Trevecca Elementary School. Every night before bed, she read Bible Stories and books that I will always remember. We were encouraged to do our best in school, and my Mom loved all forms of education, so much so, she earned money as a proof-reader to support me and my siblings, by even proofing medical books for Vanderbilt.
Education issues are very important to me. In short, here are three key points I want to implement as Governor. Children need to be able to read by 3rd grade before going onto higher levels. We need to bring back phonetic teaching of reading, and English immersion is vastly important for a non-English-speaking child who will attend our Tennessee schools. Anyone who is an adult who can’t read will tell you how important that would have been for them.
