Joseph Hedrick Richards
June 15, 1911 – June 15, 1989
Principal: 1953 a 1959
Joseph Hendrix Richards attended Alabama A&M institute Laboratory School as a teenager and receive the high school diploma. He completed two years of college at A&M before transferring to Talladega College and then to Alabama State University from which he graduated with a B.S degree. He later earn the M.S degree and secondary education ( science) in Secondary Administration from Columbia University.
He succeeded Dr. Charles Orr and became the second principle of Councill Training School in 1953. During his six year tenure, Councill set outstanding an impressive records in athletics. Special activities flourish, and student enrollment and faculty increase. J.H Richards assume many roles – educator, Christian brother, lodge and fraternity brother, coach, businessman, soldier, scoutmaster, devoted husband (Mrs. Ethel Garner Richards) and friend. He won much honor and acclaim from his participation in the life of Madison County.
The influence of this great man on the lives of people and institutions will long be remembered, for he was indeed a life which demonstrated loyalty to duty, the power to be useful, the sensitivity to appreciate and heart to love.