Diane Heath, one of 28 women and men to retire from Lenoir County Public Schools this past school year, spent her entire 31-year career in education with LCPS as a middle school teacher, assistant principal and principal of elementary, middle and high schools. She spent the last five years as principal of Lenoir County Early College High School. Heath received a plaque honoring her career at Thursday’s LCPS Retirement Luncheon from Superintendent Brent Williams, left, and Bruce Hill, chair of the Lenoir County Board of Education.

Twenty-eight women and men who altogether have dedicated 740 years to the education of young people were recognized not only for their longevity but also their loyalty during the annual LCPS Retirement Luncheon held last week.

Many of those new retirees had spent their entire careers with Lenoir County Public Schools, a compliment to the school district that Pam Health, LCPS human resources director, returned in her opening remarks.

“Now that you, our retirees, have reached a new milestone in your life, we would like for all of you to know that you are indeed leaving this school system a lot better than you found it when you began your journey,” Heath said. “You have each played a part in preparing our students to become positive, responsible, contributing members of society.”

This year’s retirees, along with their school and years of service, are:

• Mary Beth Roberts, Banks Elementary teacher, 31 years in education, 29 of them with LCPS

• Della Koonce, Contentnea-Savannah K-8 School data manager, 20 years in education, 14 of them with LCPS

• Susan Langston, Contentnea-Savannah K-8 School teacher, 30 years with LCPS

• Teressa Younger, Contentnea-Savannah K-8 School bookkeeper, 30 years with LCPS

• Paula Boldt, E.B. Frink Middle School teacher, 30 years in education, 19 of them with LCPS

• Carolyn Harris, E.B. Frink Middle School teacher assistant and bus driver, 30 years with LCPS

• William Menard, E.B. Frink Middle School teacher, 21 years with LCPS

• Allen Williams, Kinston High School custodian, 21 years with LCPS

• Lisa Horner, La Grange Elementary School teacher, 30 years in education, 25 of them with LCPS

• Elaine Yarbrough, La Grange Elementary School counselor, 28 years with LCPS

• Diane Heath, Lenoir County Early College High School principal, 31 years with LCPS

• Samuel Fisher, North Lenoir High School teacher, 20 years with LCPS

• Bernice “Gail” Jernigan, North Lenoir High School teacher and cheerleading coach, 22 years with LCPS

• James Tolar, North Lenoir High School teacher, 12 years with LCPS

• Twanna Fisher Warren, Northeast Elementary School teacher, 28 years in education, one year with LCPS

• Joretta Durant, Northwest Elementary School teacher, five years with LCPS

• Tania Williams, Northwest Elementary School teacher assistant and bus driver, 29 years with LCPS

• Frankie Bueker, Pink Hill Elementary teacher assistant and bus driver, 32 years in education, 15½ years with LCPS

• Ronald Kennedy, Pink Hill Elementary School head custodian, 13 years with LCPS

• Elizabeth Martin, Pink Hill Elementary School data manager, 31 years with LCPS

• Felicia Brown, Rochelle Middle School teacher, 24 years with LCPS

• Rhondra Fleming, Rochelle Middle School teacher, coach and athletic director, 30 years with LCPS

• Cecelia Roberson, Rochelle Middle School teacher, 29 years with LCPS

• Mary Vickory, South Lenoir High School counselor, 37 years in education, 10 of them with LCPS

• Jamie Dixon, Southwood Elementary School teacher, 30 years with LCPS

• Teresa Anderson, district MTSS Coordinator, 30 years in education, 24 of them with LCPS

• Kim Hazelgrove, district Beginning Teacher Coordinator, 41 years in education, 27 of them with LCPS

• Dr. Amelia McLeod, district Director of Middle School Education, 31 years in education, 3½ with LCPS

The 18 honorees who were able to attend the luncheon at the Kinston Country Club were presented plaques by Superintendent Brent Williams and Bruce Hill, chair of the Lenoir County Board of Education. Guests included school board members Keith King, Elijah Woods and Billy Davis.