School playground to be named for volunteer Carson

Former postal worker was constant presence at Cainhoy

Since Eddie Carson's death nine months ago, staff members at Cainhoy Elementary/Middle School have contemplated the best way to remember the dedicated school volunteer.

They found their solution Tuesday night when the Berkeley County School Board voted unanimously to name the school's playground in Carson's honor. It's the first time a playground at any of the district's 36 schools has been named after an individual, district officials said.

Carson, a retired U.S. Postal Service employee, had been described as the unofficial mayor of the rural Huger and Wando area. He was 64 when he died in August.

He especially was devoted to the rural Cainhoy school, where he was a constant presence. Carson served as chairman of the School Improvement Council, coordinated efforts to celebrate the school's 50th anniversary and founded a "Tiger" store where students earned prizes by exchanging points received for good behavior.

Roughly 10 family members, community members and teachers attended Tuesday's meeting to show support for the playground naming, and school Principal John Spagnolia said the board's approval will leave a lasting legacy. "With this honor, we hope the name of Ed Carson can live on for a long, long time," Spagnolia said. "He was a huge inspiration and great volunteer. He's been thoroughly missed this year."

Spagnolia said the school plans to install a plaque or marker near the playground bearing Carson's name.

At the board meeting, teachers and community members shared several stories about Carson's contributions.

Music teacher Linda Versprille, who leads the school's steel drums group, said Carson never missed a performance and eagerly would help as she tried to get equipment and instruments to different performance locations.

Sister-in-law Mary Carson represented Carson's family and thanked the board for considering the unusual step of naming the playground for her brother-in-law.

Kathleen Bounds, Berkeley's former school board chairwoman, also spoke on Carson's behalf. She said she realizes it's rare for the board to name part of a school after an individual but called for an exception to be made in this case. Bounds said she considered Carson "a good friend" and admired his commitment to exposing youngsters at the rural school to opportunities and experiences in the greater Charleston area.

There would be "no more fitting tribute" to honor Carson's service than to name the playground in his honor, Bounds said.

Reach Mindy B. Hagen at 937-5433 or mhagen@postand courier.com.

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