Playground Dedication Is Today at Indian Run Learning Center in Bellaire

The late Shirley Johnson Mallory, former Belmont County Head Start director, made a lasting impact on many area families and staff, and her name will be memorialized at the newly upgraded playground at the Indian Run Learning Center on Noble Street in Bellaire.

The dedication ceremony is set for 10 a.m. today with a rain date of Wednesday.

Fran Steed, director of Belmont County Head Start, said Mallory served both as Head Start director and as the assistant director of the Community Action Commission of Belmont County for more than 40 years.

"She was not only the first female leader, she was the first African American female leader, and she led the Head Start program since its inception," Steed said. "She lived here in Bellaire. She passed last year."

Steed said she found the best way to honor her contributions was with the playground.

"She lived in Bellaire, so every time she would drive by, any time I would have any minor upgrade to the playground, she would call me and say how nice it was. So when she passed, I thought this was the perfect way," she said.

Steed was able to secure $154,000 in state funds for child care stabilization. The upgraded site features a "mud kitchen," gardening and playground equipment that allows children to be active while being educated.

"We completely overhauled it. We've got new equipment, the rubber surfacing, it's a state-of-the-art playground," she said.

In addition, Steed said Mallory was chairwoman of the nonprofit organization Alternative Residences Two, that assists families with special needs and low-income families of Belmont County. It has begun providing a legacy fund in her name to help Head Start families.

"With that, we've been able to provide vehicle repairs, furniture, appliances, anything when there's a need," Steed said. "Her legacy's living on. ... We get about $10,000 every year to be able to provide for our families."

She said Mallory was a friend, a mentor and an inspiration.

"I've been at the agency for 16 years. Shirley hired me," Steed said, noting she was chosen to take Mallory's place after her retirement in 2016. "She would constantly call and offer her advice and her encouragement. There's nobody she won't help, she's going to find a way, and she didn't have a lot herself. Not only didn't she have a lot, she dealt with a lot of grief in her own life."

Steed added Mallory experienced several family tragedies.

"I don't know how much one heart could take, and yet she still made sure all these children's needs were met," Steed said. "She was a huge part of this community and a huge part of this program. When Head Start started in 1965, it was with Shirley at the reins."

Steed said she carries these lessons with her into her own directorship.

"What I learned was that nothing is impossible. Even if this family's need seemed so overwhelming, there was a way to make it happen. You can't just give up," she said. "There's no need too big or too small that she won't meet, and that's what I think of daily in my role. ... There's so much need and there's so many kids that have experienced trauma."

Lisa Stevens of Bridgeport, a staff member at Head Start who began as a Head Start parent, credits Mallory for encouraging her to take a teaching position at the organization. Stevens worked with Mallory throughout that career.

"She had a huge heart for children and families. Any aspect for children and families she wanted to help, wanted to go above and beyond," she said.

Mallory's niece, Charisse Patterson, also has fond memories.

"She would have thought this was a definite blessing. She'd have been proud of how everything's turned out," she said.