JACKSONVILLE —
Naomi Murdock Trotman is the epitome of the phrase “beauty and brains”.
Born on a farm near Palestine and reared in Rusk, this small town east Texas girl touched everyone with her winsome smile and endearing personality.
While attending Rusk High School in 1938, Naomi was selected as a Jacksonville Tomato Festival Princess and later after graduation she entered Stephen F. Austin as a freshman.
There she was named, along with three other girls, Freshman Beauty.
Transferring to Lon Morris College, Naomi really blossomed.
At the time, Zula Holcomb Pearson was drama teacher and Zula’s husband, Arch Pearson was a coach.
Inspired by Zula, Naomi became a drama and speech major and soon starred in a one act play entitled “Sound and the Fury”.
She and other members of the drama department traveled East Texas and under Zula’s direction the play was a hit everywhere it was staged.
Naomi has the distinction of being the Last Football Sweetheart at Lon Morris.
She was selected for the honor in 1940, which became the last season for the sport until this year.
Beneath her yearbook photograph, the staff printed funny and illuminating phases to describe this transfer — sophisticate…glamour ‘goil’…looks like pink ice cream…a blonde Hedy Lamar…camera shy…
After Lon Morris, Naomi continued her education and ultimately received a Master’s Degree in Education from SMU and taught in the Garland school system for more than 30 years with an additional five years spent as a Master Teacher.
Naomi married Josh Trotman and together they had two sons.
Naomi’s second cousin, Marvin Troublefield of Rusk shares, “Naomi is a wonderful mother and wife, good cousin too … One of her sons, we call him ‘Little Josh’ was a Marine in Vietnam. He was a member of the helicopter crew who evacuated the personnel from the US Embassy during the fall of Saigon … Naomi’s other son, Jim is a very accomplished professional photographer in North Carolina; Naomi has many grandchildren …”
On the phone from her phone in Dallas, Naomi remembers her days at Lon Morris College.
“Lon Morris was a wonderful institution in the 1940s; still is,” she said. “So glad to see it growing and I believe students who attend the college will be blessed — I know I was …”
Local News
Related Photos
-
Naomi Murdock Trotman poses for the camera. The young beauty was named Lon Morris College’s last “Football Sweetheart” in 1940. Courtesy of the Cherokee County Historical Commission
Discussion
LMC’s last football sweetheart
By Deborah Burkett, Cherokee County Historical Commission
- Local News
-
-
Forecasters see end to La Niña but it may not bring drought relief
The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center announced that La Niña, which contributed to the drought across the southwestern U.S., will dissipate between March and May.
-
Alto police force adds tool to help in fighting crime
The Alto Police Department have an additional tool under its belts for fighting crime — tasers.
-
Bullard bans smoking in city park
Smoking in Bullard's O.L. Ferrell Park is officially illegal after a unanimous decision made by the Bullard city council Thursday evening.
-
Aircraft lifted from Lake Palestine
The Varga Aircraft found in Lake Palestine has been lifted from the water Friday afternoon. The missing pilot, Fred Scholz, has not been found and the search mission continued.
-
JEDCO, city to have joint representation
Through a 4-3 vote, Eldridge Moak will cease to be the attorney representing Jacksonville Development Corp. effective July 1.
-
Alto looks to update infrastructure, town is ‘worn out, structurally’
City officials said it is time to start looking into updating the city's underground infrastructure.
-
Model U.N. gives students a global perspective
Last week, delegates from over 40 countries met in Kilgore to discuss important issues within their borders.
-
2 men charged in aggravated assault
A New Summerfield man turned himself in to the Cherokee County jail last week for a late January aggravated assault incident.
-
Alto police hire two new officers
After six months without a police force, and two months of running with two officers, the Alto Police Department is fully staffed.
-
Rusk officials mull education partnerships
The Rusk Economic Development Corporation board of directors is deliberating a project that could grant every graduating Rusk senior a free education at Tyler Junior College.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Forecasters see end to La Niña but it may not bring drought relief
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
