As the 2017-2018 Troup County School System (TCSS) school year ended, the district hosted a retirement celebration for over 40 retiring employees at New Hope Baptist Church. They provided a welcoming and decorated environment for the district’s retirees to enjoy one final goodbye.

The purpose of the reception is to thank all staff who committed their career to the organization. Honored guests had multiple years of service that ranged anywhere between 10 years and 43 years. Overall, there was 986 total years of service in public education. Retirees consisted of employees who were teachers, paraprofessionals, custodians, nutrition assistants and managers, principals and more.

During the event, honorees received congratulations and a gift. The TCSS retirees include the following:

• Marie Jordan, Nutrition Assistant at Berta Weathersbee Elementary  – 10 Years
• Debbie Phelps, School Nurse at Long Cane Elementary and Long Cane Middle – 10 Years
• Frances Shackelford, Teacher at Rosemont Elementary – 11 Years
• Brenda Williams, Nutrition Assistant at Callaway Elementary – 11 Years
• Debra Thomas, Nutrition Assistant at Troup High School – 12 Years
• Patricia Thomas, Special Education Teacher at Troup High School – 12 Years
• Ernest Person, Nutrition Assistant at Ethel W. Kight Elementary – 14 1/2 Years
• Jesse Benjami, Sr., Custodian at Callaway High School – 15 Years
• Pamela Bettes, Teacher at Hillcrest Elementary – 16 Years
• Lucy Wilson, Paraprofessional at Hillcrest Elementary – 17 Years
• Kathleen Landry, Teacher at Franklin Forest Elementary – 18 Years
• John Stadler, Engineering Instructor at THINC College & Career Academy – 20 Years
• Sherry Hogg, Nutrition Manager at West Point Elementary – 21 Years
• Shirley Jean Shiflett Davis, Nutrition Assistant at Hillcrest Elementary School – 21 Years
• Aretha Jones, Nutrition Assistant at West Point Elementary – 22 Years
• Jan Carnes, Chemistry & Forensic Science Teacher at Troup High School – 22 Years
• Peggy Smith, Custodian at Hillcrest Elementary – 22 Years
• Donna Townsend, Nutrition Manager at Troup High School – 23 Years
• Mary Mills, Paraprofessional at Franklin Forest – 25 Years
• Willie Stargill, Lead Custodian at Whitesville Road Elementary- 26 Years
• Deborah Pittman, Paraprofessional at Whitesville Road Elementary – 27 Years
• Gail McLachlan Sherman, Reading Programs and Academic Coach – 27 Years
• Susan Lee, Music Teacher at Franklin Forest and Ethel W. Kight Elementary Schools – 27 Years
• Cara Watts, First Grade Teacher at Franklin Forest Elementary – 29 Years
• Charlene Lambert, Exceptional Education Teacher at Rosemont Elementary – 29 Years
• Sequita Freeman, Chief Human Resources Officer for Troup County School System – 29 Years
• Kathy James, Paraprofessional at Long Cane Elementary School – 29 ½ Years
• Ann George, First Grade Teacher at Berta Weathersbee Elementary – 30 Years
• Cindy Gurley, System Bookkeeper – 30 Years
• Cynthia Brown, Music Specialist at Rosemont and Hillcrest Elementary Schools – 30 Years
• Judy Beach, Media Center Assistant at Long Cane Middle – 30 Years
• Lesia Ansaldo, Registrar at Long Cane Middle School – 30 Years
• Margaret Bartley, School Counselor at Long Cane Middle School – 30 Years
• Peter Anderson, Mathematics Teacher at Troup High School –  30 Years
• Karla Fagg, Principal at The HOPE Academy – 30.2 Years
• Tommy Freeman, Maintenance Department Supervisor – 31 Years
• Dana Morton, Fifth Grade Teacher at Rosemont Elementary – 31 Years
• Lynn Smith, First Grade Teacher at Rosemont Elementary – 31 Years.
• Amy Vowell, Third Grade Math Teacher at Rosemont Elementary – 32 Years
• Carol Todd, Mathematics Teacher at Troup High School – 32 Years
• Anne Tiffin, Special Education Teacher – 33 Years
• Cheryl Payne, EIP Reading (System 44/Read 180) Teacher at Whitesville Road Elementary – 41 Years
• Bernice Thomas, School Counselor at LaGrange High School – 43 Years