When I was in the sixth grade, in 1979,  I attended East Laurens Elementary.  ELE consisted of grades 5-7.  I was in 6th grade and had one of the most encouraging teachers ever.  His name was Coach Charles Turner. 
Things I remember about his class is that we had some tumble mats and a gymnastics horse.  I was so short I barely could put my hand on the handles of the horse.  He expected me to be able to pull myself up onto the horse and hold myself there for a couple of seconds.  The first couple of tries were not so good.  He would not let me quit.  If I didn't try then I just stood there.  He did not allow me to go sit down and not try.  I had to try.  As the weeks progressed I got better and better and finally was able to get myself up onto the horse.  I also remember seeing him flip down the mats.  Coach Turner had a strong, firm voice but I wasn't afraid of him.  He had a sweet and caring spirit to him.
In 1991, I was hired to work at East Laurens Middle School.  This was the same building I had attended 6th grade and Coach Turner was still working.  While working with Coach Turner at the school he taught me to be a firm disciplinarian but share a sweet spirit.  I started coaching cheerleading in 1993.  For many years he would show up at my practices to see what was going on and  encourage the cheerleaders.  We had many discussions about the lack of pride in the schools and wished that students shared the amount of heart we had for our sports. 
I went to one of my cheerleaders weddings yesterday and we were speaking of Coach Turner.  I thought to myself that I needed to go see him one more time.  However, this morning I woke up to hear that her had passed away.  The last time I saw him was at the hospital last year.  He was battling an infection.  He looked frail sitting on the side of the bed in his hospital gown.  He didn't want to talk about himself.  He wanted to know how things on the Eastside were.  He asked about the cheerleaders and students. 
One thing he always said was boys don't like loud girls.  I have tried to remind my students of this.  I wish you had him as a teacher.  You would have heard phrases like, "Let's get squared away!" and "Drop and gimme twenty!"
Coach Turner you will be missed!