L. Michael Schoonover is a retired classroom instructor and principal with 38 years’ tenure in the West Virginia Educational System and one year’s instructional experience in Pageland, South Carolina. Born to parents, Billy and Amelia Jeffers Schoonover, L. Michael was raised in a family of two older sisters and one younger brother on a farm in central West Virginia.
L. Michael’s life was greatly influenced by the many joyful “get togethers” shared with his father and brother on what his grandfather referred to as “Little Alps Mountain” on Beechy Ridge. Numerous other family members are remembered for their readiness to participate in whatever impromptu needs arose or quickly planned function for their grandparents.
Most importantly, it would be his father’s faith that provided the basis for L. Michael’s relationship with his provisional heavenly Father. By requesting God’s blessings on all meals and ending each day with a prayer with all children present, L. Michael’s father established his sincerity as role model by example.
Long workdays were common on the farm and often took their toll on the family. Instructional positions L. Michael’s father had accepted included four one-room school settings which added stress to the family as well.
L. Michael’s father had traveled to West Virginia University during the summers to complete his master’s degree certificate for advancement. However, compensation for instructors lagged far behind other comparable business vocations at this time. Even a young teenage boy could see the contrast between the costs of acquiring educational degrees with compensation provided. Thus, L. Michael remembers times in his maturing years experiencing financial shortages causing occasional hardships for the family.
It would be L. Michael’s mother who would instill a disciplined work ethic that both he and his brother have fond memories. Workdays spent raising oversized gardens with his brother tending to endless rows of vegetables would never be forgotten. Additionally, picking water buckets of blackberries and cherries with friends and neighbors would remind L. Michael of his mother so often. Sundays were reserved for church and attendance was not considered optional by his father. Missing church services without justification would also confine one inside the home for the remainder of the day, which would usually cure less serious symptoms. Often, impromptu “get togethers” after Sunday services drew small crowds of friends, food, and fine musicians playing banjos, mandolins, and guitars as well as any musicians who ever played. One special friend and neighbor, Harden Tennell, was known throughout the community for playing the banjo and mandolin well. This quintet, comprised of L. Michael’s father, sister LaFern, and lead-singing mother accompanied by Harden’s deep powerful bass and wife, Vadine’s accompanying harmony, would sometimes “send chills up one’s back” as L. Michael’s father commented often.
L. Michael acknowledges his indebtedness and appreciation to his heavenly Father for placing him in a family that now has extended its Christian influence on its children through heritage spanning eight generations. It is noteworthy to mention that L. Michael will always be indebted to many cousins and uncles whose lives shone like a beacon reminding L. Michael to “remember what is important lest ye forget” (Deut. 4: 23) (Deut. 6: 12-15) (Deut. 8: 11-20).
Sower's Field by L. Michael Schoonover 