Street dedicated in honor of teacher’s eight-decade long career

Mary Gladys Jones has spent a lifetime teaching generations of Wicomico County students, influencing thousands of lives along the way.  Jones says been able to discipline children with just a look.

Thousands of students, spanning eight decades, can recall that look from Jones.

A teacher, tutor, and humanitarian, she hasbeen helping the youth of Wicomico County since 1938.

Thursday, Jones received a special present for her 99th birthday, renaming the street outside of the Fruitland Community Center in her name.

"She's touched everybody here.  She's touched all of my kids, all of my grandkids, and throughout the community of you weren't a student of hers, your kids were a student of hers when they came here to the center," said Roland Palmer, a member of the Fruitland City Council.

Folks we spoke with say without Mary Gladys the Community Center would not exist.

Jones was tutoring students from home, and says she didn't want her dining room to become a classroom, so she asked to use the space that is now the center.

"We began with two children, and over the years it's grown into hundreds and hundreds of children who have passed through here."

Decades later, the center is a place for local children to receive free after school tutelage.  And over that time, Mary Gladys says she focuses on three things.  Building character, having manners and respect, and expecting the best out of her pupils.

"Many of them remember me because of my motto.  Good, better, best.  Never let it rest.  Til the good becomes the better, and the better becomes the best," quipped Jones.

Jones says she was inspired to go into education by her first grade teacher and her uncle.  She is still active, as the executive director at the Fruitland Community Center.