Ware County GaArchives News.....Booth, Juanita Retirement May 27 1974
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm
************************************************


File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Lee Collins Askmrcollins@aol.com July 10, 2003, 1:37 pm

Waycross Journal-Herald Monday, May 27, 1974

At Manor

Mrs. Juanita Booth Retires As Manager

By Robert L. Hurst

After 26 years of school lunchroom work in the Manor School, Mrs. Juanita 
Booth, present manager, is retiring this June. But her memories will not 
retire, and Mrs. Booth nostalgically says, "I will certainly miss 'my school.' 
When I get too homesick, maybe I can drop by for a friendly visit - especially 
at lunch time."
She stresses that these years have been happy times, and her thanks and 
appreciation go to the school administrators, teachers, children, parents, and 
co-workers who have been associated with her for this over a quarter of a 
century friendship.
"Mr. Lawton Lee, director of pupil personnel, has been always faithfully 
standing by to help me with my problems. And Miss Margaret Roper, area school 
lunch program consultant, has always been willing to help out if the need 
arose."
Lee responds to Mrs. Booth, " 'Miss Juanita,' as she is affectionately called 
by many of the students, always serves most tasty, well-balanced and attractive 
meals. Foods are always served in attractive and clean surroundings. To her the 
lunch program has always been more than just her job; it has been a challenge. 
She and the staff are to be commended for the excellent lunch program in the 
Manor School. I extend to her my best wishes as she enters retirement."
Commenting on what a wonderful person Mrs. Booth is, Miss Roper points out that 
this lunchroom lady has always been most cooperative and has always had the 
interest of the children at heart. "She is one who has always gone the second 
mile."
Reflecting on her career in the Manor School, Mrs. Booth, who began her job in 
September 1948, remembers that first year at Manor, then under the 
principalship of Guy Taylor. "We began the year with no money at all; however, 
things went well, and we were soon operating in the black. Since that time, we 
have always been able to operate our lunchroom in the black. I am most thankful 
for this."
Those early years, says Mrs. Booth, were years of cooking "on a wood range with 
six eyes on top and a big oven. The oven baked beautifully, if you didn't 
forget to put in the wood. I'm ashamed to admit this happened once or twice. 
The serving tables and benches were made of wood; we scrubbed them just as did 
the floors to keep them white and pretty."
When John Teel was principal at Manor during the 1953-54 school year, the old 
wooden stove was exchanged for a gas range. "Through the years, more equipment 
has been added to modernize our facilities. Right now, the Manor P.T.A. is 
raising money to air condition our lunchroom. What a pity I won't be there to 
enjoy that!" says the lunchroom retiree.
Named lunchroom manager during C.D. Vinson's principalship, Mrs. Booth admits 
the work doubled because of the new responsibility. "Mr. Vinson had seven 
successful years at Manor School, and I shall always remember and appreciate 
his patience and understanding."
Her praise continued to include principals Dutch Cohen and J.H. Brantley and 
N.A. Long, current administrator at the school. "We have had two very fine 
years with Mr. Long. I'll put it this way - he's a very good boss man."
Principal Long, who praises Mrs. Booth for keeping the lunchroom out of debt in 
these days of rising prices, remarked that she is most efficient, that she 
serves good lunches and that everyone likes to eat in her lunchroom.
Turning from the school administration to her co-workers, Mrs. Booth recognizes 
the cooperation of each one: "I really have so much to be thankful for to the 
Lord. We've always had a wonderful group of Christian ladies working together 
in our Manor lunchroom. Each one has always been willing to carry more than her 
load."
And 'Miss Juanita' does not forget the children or the teachers. "The Manor 
children are the most beautiful to be found. I have always enjoyed my 
association with them. The many fine teachers and other school personnel will 
always have a place in my heart."
Blessed with good health for the 26 years, 'Miss Juanita' adds that the Lord 
has been good to her. "Except for the removal of a kidney, which took me out of 
work for six weeks of my first year, I have missed only three or four days 
because of sickness. I am especially thankful for an understanding husband who 
has assumed many home responsibilities so that I might carry on my lunchroom 
work."
Spending much of her time in work at the Booth Congregational Methodist Church 
and enjoying her flowers are two retirement plans for Mrs. Booth, who still 
maintains that she will include many friendly visits at lunch time to "her" 
Manor School lunchroom.



This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/

File size: 5.2 Kb