Miss Ethel, affectionately called by students for approximately 50 years, was definitely an icon of Eagleville School. She was a very respected lady, always neatly dress with extremely long braids wrapped perfectly on her head. Miss Ethel began teaching music in the school building that burned in 1923 and continued till 1966/67. Students of Miss Ethel were assigned a time during the week to go to her music room, which was the first room on the west side of the school building, for music lessons. A very nominal fee was charged for sessions in voice, piano, guitar and other instruments, to individual students or a group. In the spring she and her music pupils would present a music recital for family and friends.

In additional to teaching private music lessons, Miss Ethel was involved of all aspects of the school music. One of my favorite activity as a student at Eagleville School was the Spring Festival presented by elementary and junior high students. This was really a big production where lots of decorations and costumes were required. We practiced for months, it seemed, learning new songs, skits and dances. There were two songs every student in school knew by memory; When It’s Iris Time in Tennessee and Spring Time is Love Time in Tennessee. These songs, either written or co-written by Miss Ethel, were always included in the program.

A boy and a girl were sweet hearts, in the hills of Tennessee
They loved as forever and roamed hills together, As happy as they could be
‘ Til the war came one day and he marched far away
Then she wrote him a note just to say:

Springtime is Love time in Tennessee
With the dogwood and redbud in bloom
The tulips, the iris, the bluegrass and hills
Bring springtime and love time, but never too soon
I’m missing your kissing in Tennessee
Since you’ve gone away
But springtime or anytime will always be love time
When you come back home to stay.

This lad came back to his sweetheart
In the hills of Tennessee
His war was all over and covered in glory
A hero to her was he
They were married in May, settled down right away
Just to sing this old love song each day.

Springtime is Love time in Tennessee
With the dogwood and redbud in bloom.
The tulips, the iris, the bluegrass and hills
Bring springtime and love time with all of its thrills
Our kissing’s been missing in Tennessee
While you’ve been away
But Spring Time and all the time will always be love time
Since you’ve come back home to stay.

*The above lyrics and melody were written by Claris M. Elmore (brother to Miss Ethel) and Miss Ethel wrote the piano arrangement.

The following tribute to Miss Ethel after her death in 1975 by her Brother, Claris.

Clouds of sorrow permeated Eagleville and surrounding communities with the passing of one of their most devoted, long-loved and faithful citizens—Miss Ethel Elmore.

She was a semi-invalid for the past few years. After a recent fall, she was placed in Intensive Care Unit at Rutherford County hospital where she subsequently suffered a massive coronary deficiency. Three days later, on the afternoon of April 29, 1975 while seemingly sleeping, she entered peaceful, eternal rest. This was the first death among six children of Hugh M. and Flora Lytle Elmore.

Called simply "Miss Ethel" by three generations of admiring students and a host of friends and neighbors, to her family affectionately she was known as "Sister."

She was the oldest of six children. Four moved to the farm, just west of Eagleville, when her mother and father purchased the place in 1907. A younger sister and brother saw the light of day at this farm, which remained the family homestead while 72 years have dimmed into the distant past. In early days, the family lived in simple, yet happy, surroundings—until the first real tragedy marred the tranquility in 1907. Her father became the victim of that then dreaded malady—typhoid fever.

At that time, the oldest daughter was 14 while the youngest brother was one. And it is no wonder she assumed the arduous task of assisting her mother in a desperate struggle to keep the family together—to feed, clothe and educate four younger brothers and a sister. Needless to say, it was a tremendous job, with sole family support depending upon the small farm.

Members of the B# Music Club – 1930 * - Mary Lois Arnold, Gertrude Schumacher, Maggie Bell Ralston, George Hugh Stevenson, Faye Marable, Thelma Jackson, Mary Jane Stem, Catherine Hay, Elizabeth Clary, Blanche Taylor, Annie Ruth Carlton, Betty Lowe Dryden, Erlin Carlton, Lillian Lowe, Hallie Cook, Annie Maye Cook, Gladys Carlton, Edna Kelly, Clarence William Puckett, Horace B. Smith, Erline Beasley, Robbie Turner, Robbie Giles, Rubye Bennett, Miss Ethel Elmore, Teacher. *(Not in order, all members not pictured)