Mr. Leinster H. Moseley
1952 – 1977
About Mr. Moseley
Mr. Leinster H. Moseley, our first Gumberry High School principal, was born in Craven County, NC and recalled growing up being the most mischievous of his siblings! He graduated from West Street High School in New Bern, NC and later from Livingstone College in Salisbury, NC in 1935. He joined Phi Beta Sigma fraternity while at Livingstone. Mr. Moseley began his legendary career in education at H.B. Sugg High School in Farmville and subsequently answered the call to serve honorably in the US Army during World War II. After discharge, he briefly worked as an insurance agent for NC Mutual Life Insurance Company and worked hard to educate his clients about the policies rather than focusing only on sales. In 1952, after earning a M. A. degree in history from Howard University, he was chosen to lead the newly established Gumberry High School. Mr. Moseley said he always learned more from students than they ever did from him. However, his students never forgot his wise prediction that they would someday need everything Gumberry had to offer “and then some more”, or “good manners will carry you further in life than money.” He was honored to be a member of many professional and civic groups, and the Northampton County Schoolmasters organization was especially dear to his heart. Mr. Moseley retired in 1977 as a devout Christian, a nurturing family man, and an outstanding community leader who is admired and greatly missed.
To commemorate L.H. Moseley, a scholarship program was established in his honor for worthy high school or community college graduates. For more information, see the scholarship tab.
Dr. Ray H. Parker
1977 – 1979
About Dr. Parker
Fortunately for the Gumberry Lions, Dr. Ray H. Parker, a native of Winton, NC, was selected to fill the very large principal’s leadership shoes left for him in 1977 and served with distinction for two years. He was a health and physical education graduate of Elizabeth City State University, and also studied education at East Carolina University in Greenville and received a doctorate in education administration at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Dr. Parker started his professional career as an instructor and head football coach at E. J. Hayes High School in the Martin County, NC School system. He joined Gumberry from the Pitt County Board of Education and is fondly recalled as a patient and compassionate leader who demonstrated unity and fairness to all at an important time in our school’s history. Afterward, Dr. Parker continued developing his notable career in public education in Nash, Hertford, Warren, and Pasquotank Counties. As a man of faith, he has also been an instructor at Triple “C” Bible College in Ahoskie, NC and is appreciated for his many lasting positive contributions to our school.
Dr. Willie J. Gilchrist, Sr.
1979 – 1982
About Dr. Gilchrist
Dr. Willie J. Gilchrist, also an alumnus of Elizabeth City State University as well as Brockport State University in New York, and Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, became Gumberry High School’s assistant principal in 1978 and its third and final executive leader the following year. Previously, he had begun his administrative career as an assistant principal at Eastside School in Jackson in 1977, and joining the Gumberry Lions family was good fortune for the institution and its larger community. Throughout his tenure, Dr. Gilchrist was completely devoted to creating and maintaining an academically rich school environment so that every student could flourish. He made certain that the excellent teachers and staff there were as passionate about training the next generation of leaders as he was. Dr. Gilchrist was also a very skillful and strategic visionary who helped the lions to transition into the Hurricanes of Northampton County High School-West in Gumberry, NC in 1982, where he served as principal until 1993. His students and staff watched with pride and admiration as his professional career grew over the years to include becoming associate superintendent of Northampton County Schools, superintendent of Halifax County Schools, and chancellor of Elizabeth City State University. We knew Dr. Gilchrist was destined for greatness, just as he continues to encourage the best in all of us.