To The Editor,
The history of Whitevale Elementary School has ties that go back to Lumby’s Pioneer Days. Tom Norris was the first school teacher in Lumby and came to this community in the 1890’s and raised a family. One of his daughters Lloyda Norris followed in his footsteps and also became a teacher. Lloyda married Cecil Wills and both Lloyda and Cecil worked for School District 22. Lloyda as a long-time teacher and Cecil as the School Bus Superintendent for Lumby/Cherryville area. When Cecil and Lloyda retired they bought land out on Whitevale Road. School District 22 approached them to sell the land for the Whitevale Elementary School. Cecil and Lloyda sold this land to School District 22 for the expressed purpose of Education for Lumby’s children. What a legacy for the two longtime residents of Lumby, B.C.
By Mike Storey,
Great Grandson of Tom and Edna Norris and Grandson to Cecil and Lloyda Wills
