Days after launching nearly 600 graduating seniors into their future, Lenoir County Public Schools on
Tuesday celebrated employees who are making a transition of their own as the district’s 2025-2026
retirees.
The 36 educators and departmental employees honored with a luncheon at the Lenoir County Shrine
Club together represent 937 years of service to students, a number that drew applause from the some 200
family members, friends and colleagues on hand to recognize a milestone and praise and appreciation
from LCPS Superintendent Brent Williams.
“Through your dedication, compassion and commitment, you have helped to shape future generations
one day at a time and one student at a time,” Williams told the retirees. “Today is your day. It is a day of
celebration for you and a celebration of what you’ve meant to this school system.”
The superintendent and W.D. Anderson, chair of the Lenoir County Board of Education, presented
recognition plaques to those retirees at the luncheon. Also on hand from the school board was member
Elijah Woods.
The roster of 2025-2026 retirees, along with their last school or LCPS department and length of service
is:
Linda Spence Wallce, Banks Elementary, 16 years in education
Karyl Fahrenbruck Willis, Banks Elementary, 31 years in education, 26 years with LCPS
Arthur Franklin Bland Jr., Contentnea-Savannah K-8, 28 years in education, 26 years with
LCPS
Stacie Swindell Carter, Contentnea-Savannah K-8, 29 years with LCPS
Joy Sauls Deal, Contentnea-Savannah K-8, 28 years with LCPS
Vanessa Bright Gay, Contentnea-Savannah K-8, 20 years with LCPS
Debra Barnhill Holmes, Contentnea-Savannah K-8, 20 years with LCPS
Sheila Koonce, Contentnea-Savannah K-8, 14 years with LCPS
Rebecca Johnson Smith, Contentnea-Savannah K-8, 26 years with LCPS
Susan Runyon Taylor, Contentnea-Savannah K-8, 38 years in education, 28 years with LCPS
Victoria Newberry, EB Frink Middle, 24.5 years in education, 12 years with LCPS
Cheryl Rouse, EB Frink Middle, 30 years with LCPS
Ruth Anderson, Kinston High, 15 years in education
Jill Deriso, Kinston High, 28 years in education
Anthony King, Kinston High, 28 years in education
Barbara Ann Purdie, Kinston High, 28.5 years in education, 17.5 years with LCPS
Pamela Parks Creech, La Grange Elementary, 30 years in education, five years with LCPS
Marilyn Brimmage, Lenoir County Learning Academy, 19 years in education, three years with
LCPS
Irene Jackson Allen, Moss Hill Elementary, 27 years in education
Ada Hood, North Lenoir High, 30 years in education, 20 years with LCPS
Gloria Ann Finch, Northeast Elementary, 26 years with LCPS
Betty Jean Sawyer, Northeast Elementary, 29 years in education, 26 years with LCPS
Doris Drake, Northeast Elementary, 31.5 years with LCPS
Trenia Miller, Northeast Elementary, 10 years with LCPS
Juanita Muhammad, Northeast Elementary, five years with LCPS
Lee Anne Hardy, Pink Hill Elementary, 37 yeas as a state employee, 27 years with LCPS
Leigh Anne Hall, Pink Hill Elementary, 32.5 years in education, 26 years with LCPS
Greta Kay Turnage Hill, South Lenoir High, 30 years with LCPS
Kelee Cunningham Moore, South Lenoir High, 28 years with LCPS
Gray Harrrison Simmons, Southeast Elementary, 23 years with LCPS
Pamela Braswell Heath, LCPS Central Services, 42 years in education
Sharron Denise James Reid, LCPS Central Services, 40 years with LCPS
Christine Bancroft, Exceptional Children’s Department, 12 years with LCPS
Crystal T. Davis, Exceptional Children’s Department, 26 years with LCPS
Phyllis Anderson Burkett, Maintenance Department, 32 years and eight months with LCPS
Benjamin Earl Phillips, Maintenance Department, 25 years with LCPS
Cutline:
Long-time Pink Hill Elementary principal Lee Anne Hardy was among the 36 LCPS retires honored at a
luncheon Tuesday. Mrs. Hardy worked 37 years as a state employee and 27 years as an LCPS educator,
including the past 15 years as Pink Hill principal. Presenting her with a recognition plaque are, LCPS
Superintendent Brent Williams, left, and W. D. Anderson, chair of the Lenoir County Board of Education.