Retiring teachers and school employees were hired during a reception Thursday night. From left: Millard Johnson, 39 years of service; Bobbie Smotherman, 32 years; Sharon McDonald, 35 years; Deborah Kee, 30 years; John Carlton, 37 years; Donna Green, 27 years; Connie Smith, 35 years; Jennifer Henderson, 29 years; and Mary Frances Gordon, 30 years. Not pictured: Rebecca Lane, 37 years; and Vivian Sherrod, 15 years. (T-G Photo by John I. Carney) [Order this photo]

The employees represented a total 346 years of combined service.

Each retiree present was honored by their principal or supervisor and was presented a gift by a school board member.

(T-G Video by John I. Carney)

"I will miss my students," said Donna Green, a special education teacher at Central High School. Then, after a pause: "Not all of my students...."

Jennifer Henderson, a kindergarten teacher at Community Elementary, said, "I can't think of any vocation that would be more rewarding than teaching."

The retirees were praised universally. SCHS Principal Don Embry called social studies teacher John Carlton "the voice of conviction and principle," and said "his heartfelt beliefs will be sorely missed."

The three retirees from Eakin Primary -- Sharon McDonald, Connie Smith and Mary Frances Gordon -- insisted on coming up together, which Principal Janice Womble jokingly referred to as "their last stand."

The honorees, along with their years of service and the school or department from which each retired, were:

* Millard Johnson, 39 years, SCHS

* Rebecca Lane, 37 years, Community Elementary

* John Carlton, 37 years, SCHS

* Sharon McDonald, 35 years, Eakin

* Connie Smith, 35 years, Eakin

* Bobbie Smotherman, 32 years, central office

* Mary Frances Gordon, 30 years, Eakin

* Deborah Kee, 30 years, Liberty

* Jennifer Henderson, 29 years, Community Elementary

* Donna Green, 27 years, SCHS

* Vivian Sherrod, 15 years, Community High