A handful of the hundreds of children illuminated by “Miss Mattie” Rials’ sweet spirit and expert storytelling found a way to honor her — by allowing Pike, Amite and Walthall County students to continue their education through scholarships.
The group started The Miss Mattie Foundation to pay tribute to the kindergarten teacher turned long-time children’s librarian with the Pike-Amite-Walthall Library System.
“This is not about us,” chairman of the board Scott Harbison said. “It’s about honoring ‘Miss Mattie’ and honoring the students who will follow in her footsteps.”
About two years ago, Harbison, who graduated from Rials’ 1969 kindergarten class, was researching scholarship options. He thought surely there was a scholarship in her name — but he couldn’t find one.
“That sparked something,” he said. “Somebody should be doing something.”
Harbison, along with fellow 1969 kindergarten graduates Karen McDonald Treuting and Bill Sheffield began the process. Rials’ granddaughter, Sarah Rials Mangrum, eventually joined the board.
Mangrum said she heard about the organization through social media and the family became involved when the group sought 501(c) 3 nonprofit status with the IRS.
“Really, Scott has done so much work,” she said. “It was his brain child. ... It’s been a huge privilege to be able to work on the foundation and be a part of the foundation.”
The scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors in Pike, Amite and Walthall counties going to any accredited college or university in Mississippi. Harbison said due to “Miss Mattie’s” strong commitment to her community, the foundation will look beyond grades.
“Good students academically, but even more so committed to their community, good students that do a lot for the community,” he said.
There will be four scholarships ranging from $1,250 to $5,000. Harbison said the foundation hopes to award its first scholarships for the 2016 graduating class.
“We want to make sure we have a good foundation of funds available,” he said.
With hardly any marketing, the foundation is off to a good start.
The Miss Mattie Foundation Facebook page has more than 3,000 likes. Harbison said they have received donations from several states, including California, Florida and Texas.
The initial success is a testament to ‘Miss Mattie’s’ enduring legacy.
“Everybody loves ‘Miss Mattie’ — truly, honestly love this lady,” Harbison said. “She was touched multiple generations of families.”
“Miss Mattie’s” three granddaughters had behind-the-scene peeks at her dedication to the community. That unwavering passion and servitude left a lasting impression on the girls.
“For her, it’s not a job,” Mangrum said of Rials. “It’s her passion. It’s what she loves to do. That was the biggest benefit for me.”
Continuing the tradition, Mangrum is a librarian at the University of Southern Mississippi. Her sister, Leah Rials, is a getting a master’s degree in library science and their cousin, Hannah Rials, is a children’s author.
Harbison and Mangrum also noted Rials’ dedication to Camp Sunshine, hospices, nursing homes and many more people and places.
“Every time I see her there is always a happy in the back seat for somebody or we’re taking a plate of food to someone,” Mangrum said.
But as second and third generations of children become captivated by librarian, their education remains Miss Mattie’s mainstay.
“Focusing on helping the youth of Pike, Amite and Walthall is the most fitting thing that could be put into place,” Mangrum said.
The board is busy planning a fundraiser for early summer that will hopefully become an annual event, Harbison said.
For more information visit www.missmattie.org. Donations can be made on the website or by mail at The Miss Mattie Foundation P.O. Box 445 McComb, Mississippi 39649.
