Ernie Oakes recently established the “Clinton & Louise Oakes Family Scholarship Fund” to support graduating seniors from Shady Spring High School.
“Over the past 60+ years, Shady Spring High School has provided a quality education to members of the Oakes family. We are deeply grateful to the school and its outstanding teachers for their contributions to our success.” — Ernie Oakes, Son of Clinton & Louise Oakes
Clinton Oakes was born on May 24, 1919, in a log cabin on Ellison Ridge, WV. He was the second of 12 children, and in the 1920s, attending high school was not an option. Clinton completed his formal education at the end of elementary school. Louise Akers Oakes was born on October 8, 1923, in a log cabin just outside Dunns, WV. Like Clinton, she only completed elementary school.
Their marriage produced three children, seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren, along with their ten spouses. Thanks in large part to the examples set by Clinton and Louise in their hard work and commitment to living by the golden rule, the family has achieved remarkable success.