Louise Barber Johns
Inducted 1998
Louise is the youngest of seven children. Her parents were Richard and Viola (Lee) Barber. She was born, raised and attended school in Manor, Georgia and graduated in 1959.
She played basketball all four of her high school years. In the 1956-57 school term, as a sophomore, she set a single game record by scoring 73 points against Odum in a home game.
In the 1958-1959 season, her senior year, the sharpshotter scored 941 points in 25 games to average 37.6 points per game.
The D.A.R. award was one of many honors she received that year. Among the senior girls, she was chosen: most athletic, most talented, most dependable, most likely to succeed and most humorous.
Before graduating from high school she received an invitation from Hazel Walker to audition for the world famous Arkansas Travelers. She accepted the challenge and easily won a spot on the roster. Her contract was for one year beginning October 1959 through April 1960.
The Arkansas Travelers, a professional, all-female team, played only men teams and governed by their rules. She made a smooth transition and traveled all across the United States playing basketball.
Because Hazel Walker would retire after the 1960 season, Louise decided to begin her college education. She went to North Florida Junior College in Madison , Florida for the 1960-61 school term. Her college education was obtained over several years because she worked to pay all of her expenses.
After her first year of college she returned to Ware County and attended the University of Georgia off campus center. She went to school at night and worked during the day for Dr. Charles H. Little.
She completed her college education at Georgia Southern in 1966, obtaining a B.S. in Home Economics.
Louise is married to Robert Johns and they reside in Brantley County. They gave two daughters: Scarlet Middleton and Beth Lewis.
She was with the Brantley County Department of Family and Children Services for 14 years before spending the remainder of her professional life with the Department of Corrections at the Ware State Prison and retired in year 2000