She has been called a legend in her own time, and now that legend has retired from teaching in the Hallettsville Independence School District. Jo Zelma Brown, who for years struck fear in the hearts of incoming freshmen, retired at the end of this school year after 43 years of service to the Hallettsville Independents SChool District as a science teacher.

"I enjoyed my work, I enjoyed being here, " Ms. Brown said, "I wouldn't have wanted to teach anywhere but Hallettsville High School."

Ms. Brown was known for helping students after school, in Saturdays or even after school was dismissed for the year.

"Ms. Brown had high expectations for her students, "HHS Principal David Kalich said."She believed that all students could learn. "She is a lady of unquestionable character and integrity."

Ms. Brown grew up picking cotton during her youth and said "I was in the cotton field one day and I said to myself, "there has got to be something better than this."

Her mother and father encouraged and supported education and were a big influence on her life. She was the valedictorian of her high school graduating class as were her tewo sisters.

After graduation, she began to look for employment in Fayette or Lavaca counties. Then one day while sitting on the porch getting ready to pick cotton, Principal A.E. Evans of Stevens-Mayo High School drove up to the Brown's home in Muldoon and offered her a teaching job.