Shortly after leaving school he came to Malden, West Virginia, where he was licensed as a preacher. Here he joined Booker T Washington Sunday School classes. He was ordained for the Mission field and served three months at $ 10 a month. In 1885 he was called to St. Paul Baptist Church in St. Albans, where his home is located.
The gymnasium and auditorium was formally dedicated at a combined dedication and graduation ceremony May 22, 1949, with Dr. A. D. Belton as principal speaker. A total of 78 graduates received their diplomas at the exercises.
In 1950, for the first time in Raleigh County with Mrs. Lorraine K. Seay as instructor, Negro students were provided Physical Education.
At the death of Mr. Smith, William C. Reid again became principal. Mrs. Dupont Evans was employed as the first full-time Librarian. The Vocational building, which offered courses in masonry, commercial foods, electricity, budding trades, and body and fender, was constructed.
In 1959 Stratton was admitted to the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges. Upon the promotion of Mr. Reid to the Assistant Superintendency, Mr. Thomas Evans, a member of the class of 1930, was appointed principal. Stratton continued to grow. Additional teachers were added, as well as remedial courses, additional courses in mathematics, and a Guidance Department, under the instruction of Mrs. Marion Mitchell.
In 1967 Stratton High School's staff numbered 32, ten of which were Stratton graduates. There were 110 in the graduating class, Mrs. Georgianna Hill Purnell - Valedictorian and Sandra Henry Brim - Salutatorian. During the years of Stratton's existence 2,786 students graduated, and from these graduates have come doctors, lawyers, dentists, engineers, teachers, cosmetologists, secretaries, social workers and clergymen.
This is in great contrast to the faculty of two in 1907 and a graduating class of seven in the class of 1926.