Mollie Toops is oldest living graduate of Napoleon High School
Mollie Toops is pictured at the Napoleon High School alumni gathering.
The thought of school starting up again brings back memories for some whose school days are in the rear-view window.
Mollie Toops of the Flatrock area grew up on a farm with her parents Dorsh and Vernie (Hull) Hughes, her brothers Harold and Harry Hughes and sister, Opal (Hughes) LaBolt.
Recently she attended an alumni gathering from Napoleon High School where she graduated in 1946 – 80 years ago! At the age of 97, Mollie is the oldest living graduate of Napoleon High School. Younger people today have no idea about Napoleon having a high school, but Mollie knows. She attended her first six years of school at the Fowl one-room brick schoolhouse, which was about two miles from her home in the Flatrock community.
Mollie told The Versailles Republican she enjoyed recess and playing “Hand Thee Over”. In today’s digital culture, kids have never heard of such games, but these games are not only nostalgic, but they satisfy something fundamental that digital gaming can’t entirely replace, according to one website.
Mollie married Donald Toops and they moved to a farm on Fairground Road where she still lives today. They were blessed with seven children: Rita (Toops) Rork and Oren Rork, Larry and Blythe (Mathews) Toops, Lonnie and Melba (Krebbs) Toops, Roger and Terri (Green) Toops, David and Cindy (Young) Toops, Ray and Freda (Franklin) Toops, and Darin and Samantha (Newhart) Toops.
She has 18 grandchildren, 33 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren
Mollie spent the greater part of her life being a stay-at-home mother and farm wife. However, she did have a 22-year career at the Ripley County Welfare Department.
She stays active as a member of the Hopewell Baptist Church where she has been a member for 75 years. She is the oldest living active member. She was very active with the ABW (American Baptist Women). She was also very active in the Ripley County Farm Bureau Inc.
Mollie is known throughout the area for her baked goods such as pies, cookies, and homemade noodles. Just two years ago she won first place at the Versailles Pumpkin Show for her strawberry freezer jam. She spent a lot of time quilting, an art she learned from her mother and her aunt, Edith Comer.
Mollie continues to love the things she’s done her entire life, cooks for herself and others, and attends church.
She thoroughly enjoyed going to the Napoleon High School Alumni and remembering her school days and reflecting on her life. She is a beloved staple in the rural area she calls home.
