Tribute given to late school chief
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ST. FRANCISVILLE — The family of the late Lloyd L. Lindsey Jr. heard an outpouring of praise Tuesday for the leader of West Feliciana Parish schools for 16 years.
Lindsey, 64, died April 15 from injuries suffered in a fall, and Tuesday’s tribute included remarks from his students, many local officials and fellow educators, as well as state Education Superintendent Paul Pastorek.
Lindsey was like the lamplighter of olden times, Pastorek told about 300 people attending the tribute at West Feliciana High School.
“You could tell the way he went by the light he left behind,” the state superintendent said.
Pastorek said Lindsey had an influence on Louisiana’s educational system throughout the state.
“He was a man who believed failure was not an option,” Pastorek said.
“He was a man who faced the system, challenged the system and changed the system,” said Baton Rouge Mayor Melvin “Kip” Holden, a friend whom Lindsey called on to give “pep” talks during teacher orientation sessions.
Several speakers related Lindsey’s passion for getting into the parish’s schools, engaging the students in conversation and challenging them to take advantage of their educational opportunities.
“He was tall, but if kindness was the measure of a person, he would be much taller,” said Torrye Bonnette of Tunica Elementary, one of the student presenters.
School Board President Sara Wilson-Wright said Lindsey’s visits to the schools were inspirational to the students because the superintendent had the ability to remember the name of every child he met.
Board Vice President Kevin Beauchamp recalled meeting Lindsey soon after he became superintendent and how he and his wife, Marsha, chaperoned Beauchamp and his classmates on their senior trip.
One member of the class could not afford to pay for the trip, but Lindsey made sure the student was able to attend.
“I knew from that point on what kind of a person he was,” Beauchamp said.
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