Seventy-one retiring school system employees were honored by the school board and superintendent at a dinner Thursday evening.

Chris Kiser, music teacher at South Smithfield Elementary, provided the entertainment by singing "You Are My Hero."

Each retiree was called forward and congratulated by each board member.

Dr. Peggy Smith composed a poem, "Ode to Retirees - 1009", for this special occasion. Retirees included Joyce Wade, Associate Superintendent of Human Resources and E.D. Hall, Associate Superintendent of Technology and Testing Services.

Larry Strickland, Chairman of the Board of Education, wished them well in their retirement endeavors. Dorothy Johnson, Vice Chairman, advised them to remain active and to become involved in community services.

Below are the retirees who were recognized for their years of service to Johnston County Schools. They are listed with work location and years of service to the district.

Susan Auman AIG Center - Teacher 30
Steve Douglas Stevens Benson Elem. - Teacher 4
Shelby Godwin Benson Middle - Teacher Assistant 5.2
Kaye T. Massengill Benson Middle - Media Coordinator 27
Joyce Reed Benson Middle - Teacher 30.6
Eric Brown Clayton High - Assistant Principal 35
Ethel B. Johnson Clayton High - Counselor 36
Merv Sessoms Clayton High - Teacher 18
Kathy Austin Clayton Middle - Teacher 30.6
Rosa B. Johnson Cleveland Elementary - Sims Data Manager 21
Stancil Baucom Cleveland Middle - Teacher 7
Nathaniel Grant, Jr. Cooper Elem. - Assistant Principal 3
Vernice Parnell Cooper Elem. - Child Nutrition 7
Faye Thorne Corinth-Holders Elem. - Teacher Assistant 30
Janet L. McLamb Four Oaks Elem. - Teacher 20
Priscilla Temple Four Oaks Elem. - Teacher 24
Linda S. Worley Four Oaks Elem. - Teacher Assistant 27
Brenda Clayton Four Oaks Middle - Guidance Counselor 10
Debra Westbrook Four Oaks Middle - Teacher 29
Susan B. Barnes Glendale-Kenly Elem. - Teacher 32
Sheila C. Johnson Glendale-Kenly Elem. - Teacher Assistant 30
Cherri S. Stone Glendale-Kenly Elem. - Teacher 32.5
Sarah Williams Glendale-Kenly Elem. - Teacher 9
Margaret J. Grice Meadow - Teacher Assistant 30
Jean B. Johnson Meadow - Teacher Assistant 40
LuAnn Woodard Meadow - Teacher 32
Carolyn Holt Micro-Pine Level Elem. - Teacher Assistant 11.5
Joyce Pulley Micro-Pine Level Elem. - Child Nutrition Asst. 5.2
Wilma Pridgen North Johnston High - Teacher Assistant 20
Kathy Sandifer North Johnston High - Teacher 31
Wanda Stancil North Johnston High - Teacher 30
Hilda Blackmon Polenta Elem. - Custodian 6.5
Bobbie Pope Polenta Elem. - Head Custodian 30.5
Janet Bridgers Princeton Elem. - Teacher Assistant 8
Susan Daughtry Princeton Elem. - Teacher 30
Susan Fowler Princeton Elem. - Custodian 13
Shay Vail Powhatan Elem. - Teacher 10
Nancy Darlene Jones Selma Elem. - Teacher 29
Linda Narron Selma Elem. - Teacher Assistant 10
Cynthia Eileen Penny Selma Elem. - Teacher 36
Jenny Pope Selma Elem. - Office Support 20
Robin Grant Selma Middle - Teacher 29
Devonne Mitchener Selma Middle - Teacher 27
Michael Newsome Selma Middle - Teacher 30
Doris R. Brooks Selma Middle - Cafeteria/Bus 8
Carol Beaumont Smithfield-Selma High - Teacher 34
Joan Narron Hardy Smithfield-Selma High - Teacher 29.5
Jennifer Liverman Smithfield-Selma High - Teacher Assistant 20
Mary Scarboro Smithfield-Selma High - Office Assistant 20.7
Judith Langston South Campus Community 34.5
Deborah Outland South Campus Community 6
Sandra L. Bishop South Johnston High - Teacher 30.8
Scott L. Johnson South Johnston High - Teacher 28.5
Art M. Medlin South Johnston High - Teacher/Coach 30.4
James R. Overby South Johnston High - Bus Driver 9.8
Sylvia Dianne Parker South Johnston High - Student Advocate 29.7
Kathryn Culbreth South Smithfield Elem. - Teacher Assistant 31.6
Anna L. Smith West Johnston High - Teacher Assistant 6
Betty L. Jones West Smithfield Elem. - Teacher Assistant 20
Vickie L. Raynor West Smithfield Elem. - Child Nutrition Asst. 20
Gayle Barbour Wilson's Mills Elem. - Teacher 30
Bobby Cox Curriculum & Instruction - Secondary TISS 30.4
Bill Ellis Curriculum & Instruction-VOCATS Coordinator 35
P. V. Stone Facility Services - Supervisor 31
Hubert Holt Facility Services - Supervisor 21
Ann Williams Facility Services - Assoc. Superintendent 34
Joyce W. Wade Human Resources - Assoc. Superintendent 38
Ernest (E.D.) Hall Tech.& Acct. Services - Assoc. Superintendent 14
Carolyn J. Williams Student Services - Drop Out Coordinator 11.5
Dr. Anthony L. Parker Superintendent's Office - Superintendent 5.2
Royce H. Mitchell Transportation Services - Mechanic II 10