RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Ernie Oakes recently established the “Clinton & Louise Oakes Family Scholarship Fund” to support graduating seniors from Shady Spring High School.
“Over the past 60+ years, Shady Spring High School has provided a quality education to members of the Oakes family. We are deeply grateful to the school and its outstanding teachers for their contributions to our success.” — Ernie Oakes, Son of Clinton & Louise Oakes
Clinton Oakes was born on May 24, 1919, in a log cabin on Ellison Ridge, WV. He was the second of 12 children, and in the 1920s, attending high school was not an option. Clinton completed his formal education at the end of elementary school. Louise Akers Oakes was born on October 8, 1923, in a log cabin just outside Dunns, WV. Like Clinton, she only completed elementary school.
Although they attended different one-room elementary schools, Clinton and Louise eventually met and were married on August 5, 1941. They spent their entire lives in the three-county area of Summers, Mercer, and Raleigh in southern West Virginia.
Clinton began his married life working in local sawmills and later transitioned to coal mining in the early 1950s. Tragically, he was killed in a coal mining accident at the age of 55 on August 5, 1974, in a mine in Josephine, West Virginia.
Louise remained a homemaker throughout her life and passed away at the age of 82 on March 2, 2006.
Their marriage produced three children, seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren, along with their ten spouses. Thanks in large part to the examples set by Clinton and Louise in their hard work and commitment to living by the golden rule, the family has achieved remarkable success.
So, what has this family accomplished? Their descendants and spouses have made significant contributions to society in various fields, including homemakers, coal miners, schoolteachers, military retirees, computer scientists, airport managers, federal mine inspectors, state and federal law enforcement officers, aerospace engineers, industrial engineers, mechanical engineers, business entrepreneurs, computer cryptology specialists, and retail store managers. Family members have attended and/or graduated from Concord University, Marshall University, West Virginia University, the University of Kentucky, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Montana Universities.
From two individuals who were not able to complete high school, 16 of their descendants have graduated from both the old and new Shady Spring High School.
Clinton and Louise’s family has been truly blessed. Their descendants are deeply grateful for the strong foundation they provided to us. They honor Clinton and Louise daily through their thoughts and actions.
Anyone interested in donating to this fund may mail contributions with “Clinton & Louise Oakes” in the memo to BAF, 1210 S. Kanawha Street, Beckley, WV 25801 or visit bafwv.org to donate online. If you are interested in starting a fund or leaving a legacy gift, call BAF at 304-253-3806 or email info@bafwv.org.
