Former long-time Bob Jones Academy teacher celebrates 100th birthday

Former long-time Bob Jones Academy teacher celebrates 100th birthday

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Students lined the road in front of Bob Jones Academy to help celebrate a former long-time teacher’s huge milestone–her 100th birthday. Edith Markham taught high school English, grammar, and literature at Bob Jones Academy for fifty-three years before retiring, and even taught three generations of the same family. The school honored her by naming a building The Markman Center.

Early Beginnings

Markham attended BJC as a student almost 85 years ago from 1941 – 1945. According to school officials, Markham remembers hearing about the school for the first time through a Thomas Steel radio program, and being at college during World War II. She originally planned to be an overseas missionary. However, those plans changed when the opportunity came for her to teach. “I realized I could reach more people with the Gospel by teaching than I ever could in another country,” said Ms. Markham.

Favorite Verse

Ms. Markham quoted her favorite verse, Jeremiah 33:3, which she has cherished throughout her life. “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”

Teaching Legacy

Markham started teaching in 1945 and was most well-known for her high school English and British Literature classes. She had a lasting impact on countless students over the years at Bob Jones Academy.