Mrs. Lillie W. Cole

Cole came to Pecos in 1906, when schooling in Reeves County was still young. During the 1899-1900 term the Pecos school had 111 students and three teachers, and a second school added the next year brought the count to 148 pupils and four teachers. Toyah had built its first school in 1894, and by 1899 Toyahvale had a public school district with three schools. The county's classrooms kept growing after her: in 1950 its 11,745 people included 1,015 high school graduates and 415 college graduates.

What the plaque says

Mrs. Lillie W. Cole Outstanding and dedicated teacher; public benefactor. Born in Lavernia, Texas. Came to Pecos, 1906, with husband Wylie Moffitt Cole. They had two daughters. Widowed in 1912, started teaching career which lasted for 27 years. (1968)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Roy Orbison Museum — 30 mi
  A volunteer-run room in the oil town where Roy Orbison spent his high school years, opened on request, with a guitar he played and his tinted prescription sunglasses.

More markers nearby

• Spanish Explorers — steps away
• Emigrants' Crossing — steps away
• Reeves County-Pecos, Texas — steps away
• The Pecos Cantaloupe — steps away