Imogene Harbin

On December 20, 1925, north of Chandler, Oklahoma, Imogene Harbin was born, the first child of George and Opal Harbin. Her parents later presented her with two brothers and two sisters, who supported her in her career.

Before Imogene started school, her parents were her first teachers. They owned and operated a general merchandise store and taught her how to read all the canned good labels, candy wrappers, pop lids, etc.

Union School in Lincoln County was where Imogene started first grade. Her younger brother, Jim, started with her. They sat together in a “darling” antique double desk for children. They had to walk most days two miles to school. On bad weather days, her father would drive them to school. Imogene’s second and third grades were also spent at Union. Her most memorable experience was winning a spelling bee when she was in third grade – competing against all the upper grades. Miss Louise Key, Imogene’s third grade teacher, inspired her to be a teacher.

In 1935, Imogene’s parents moved to the city of Chandler. She spent fourth grade at Hunter School. Estaline Smith was her very kind teacher. Imogene remembers working on transportation and communication units.

Imogene spent grades five through eight at East Side School. The school was built in 1895 and was pretty primitive. Her teachers were very firm, and she really learned the basics.

In 1941, Imogene entered her freshman year at Chandler High School. In the middle of the year, they were moved to the armory to make way for a new building. Those years were during WWII. There were lots of deprivations, but they tried to make their own fun. Finally, in Imogene’s junior year, they moved to the new building, although it was not completed. On May 17, 1944, Imogene graduated from Chandler High School and was inducted into the Chandler Alumni Association.

Imogene’s higher education was at the University of Central Oklahoma. She obtained her baccalaureate degree there in 1951. While an undergraduate, Imogene was a member of the Triumvirate Club and the Future Teachers of America. She took other classes at Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma.

Imogene’s first year of teaching was in Geary, Oklahoma, teaching sixth grade. In 1953, she began teaching fourth grade in Bristow, Oklahoma. She held that same position for 35 rewarding years. While teaching in Bristow, she was Teacher of the Year in 1974 and 1988. Imogene retired in 1988 and came back to Chandler.

Imogene was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, which promotes excellence in education. Also, she was a member of the Lincoln County Historical Society and served as a board member of that organization.

“I thank you, to my family and friends, for your steadfast role in my life, for all that we have shared, and for the journey that we have taken together.”

Those awaiting Imogene in Heaven are her parents, George and Opal Harbin; her two brothers, Jim Harbin, and Buddy Harbin; her sister, Mary Harbin Hummer; her grandparents, Henry and Alice Davis and Caldona Harbin Moore; many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Imogene is survived by her sister, Neva Chelf; her niece, Carrie Butler; and nephews Lee H. Davis, John Chelf, and Jeff Chelf.