Lauderdale County bids retirees farewell

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
May 14, 2004
Lorene Portis said she has seen a lot of success stories in her 34 years as a third-grade teacher at Southeast Elementary School, but Torrin Tucker sticks out most in her mind.
Tucker, who plays for the Dallas Cowboys, graduated from Southeast High School in 1998. Portis was his third-grade teacher.
Now, Portis said, she is looking forward to her retirement on June 30.
Portis, and 10 other Lauderdale County teachers, administrative assistants and custodians, were honored Thursday during a retirement reception at the Raymond P. Davis Courthouse Annex.
Administrators, principals and fellow teachers wished their friends and co-workers farewell. Lauderdale County School Superintendent David Little said the employees will be greatly missed.
Little said that it will take years before new teachers are as effective as the retirees. He also said that the raises teachers will receive over the next couple of years is keeping a lot of teachers in the classroom.
Charlotte McKee, who was among those honored Thursday, has had one job in her 33-year career teaching third-grade at Northeast Elementary School.
McKee said her fondest memories are of the people she has worked with in the district over the years. Now, she said, she is looking forward "to playing a little bit."
SCHOOL RETIREES
Gail Gibson
Iva Marshall
Charlotte McKee
Cathy Poole
Lorene Portis
Alice Scarbrough
Helen Swann
Faye Thomas
Janis Watson
Vinnie Wilson
Patricia King