Saturday, July 29, 2023
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I first met Marifaith in August of 1999 when I began teaching at Woodford County Middle School. She was assigned to be my mentor teacher during my KTIP year. When you go into teaching, you have a 25% understanding of what goes into the job. The other 75% hits you in the face the first day you walk into the building. A KTIP mentor had the ability to bolster support for a new teacher or impose a greater burden on a new teacher. Marifaith was very much a support. She was a helping hand, a voice of wisdom, a fierce advocate, a protector, a benefactor, a cheerleader, a colleague, a counselor, a conspirator, and a close friend. She did not take on the role as a mentor to me as much as she acted more like a second mother. I cannot say that she treated me any differently than she treated anyone else under her watch and care as this was common practice for her. She quite simply was one of the most selfless people I have ever known. Still, she referred to me as her son way more than she ever a fellow teacher.
If I had only known her that one year, I would still be just as grateful as I am today, but our friendship has lasted these many years. Marifaith left Woodford county to pursue other interests after my first year, but she stayed in touch, and she continued to check in and provide whatever assistance I might need. She eventually found her way to Fayette County, and she went to work at Beaumont Middle School. It was there that we would reconnect. In fact, she and another treasured friend and colleague are the reasons why I wound up at Beaumont myself. I had taught 5 years in Woodford County, and I was getting ready to begin my sixth year, when I got a phone call one afternoon. "Craig, this is your mother..." were the first words Marifaith had to say when I answered. A job had opened, and she wanted me to pull up stakes and come work with her and a number of other familiar faces in Fayette County. I did just that, and I took great pleasure in working with her again up to her retirement in 2016.
She did her time in the classroom, and I was happy for her to retire, but to say that I have missed having her around is an understatement. We have stayed in touch, and she always came by to see me when she was back in the building either substitute teaching or helping someone else with some task or project. You know, for many years, she had convinced students in Beaumont that I was actually her son. And, I was happy to play along as it delighted her to see the confusion and bewilderment in students' eyes as they tried to figure out how this could possibly be..."Ms. Barr is the mother of Mr. Clemons? Huh?" Honestly, I'm not her son, but there have been many times when she made me feel as though I was. My heart goes out to her family especially Amber, Margaret, and Victoria. I feel the loss of Marifaith very keenly, and it can only be a small fraction of what they feel.
Still, I have watched this great woman give of herself time and time again to friends and colleagues and students and complete strangers. I have great confidence and faith that her selflessness and sacrifice has led to her great reward. My goodness! I can only imagine how dazzling she looks with all those stars in her crown! I smile when I imagine that. And, I take comfort from knowing that one day I'll get to see her again.
My faith is with God! My prayers are with her family and friends. But, a part of my heart will always be with Marifaith! She was loved, and she will be missed.
In loving memory,
Craig Clemons
