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6,652 Years of Service! Cobb Schools Honors Retirees

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Cobb Schools retirees gather at the annual retirement celebration luncheon at the Cobb Convention Center.

May 13, 2026 — As another school year comes to a close, Cobb Schools paused to recognize a special group of employees whose dedication has helped shape generations of students, families, and staff members. 

During the district’s annual retiree celebration, Cobb Schools honored 308 retirees whose combined service totals an extraordinary 6,652 years. The annual luncheon brought together district leadership, Board members, school administrators, coworkers, friends, and family members to celebrate the lasting impact these employees have made across Cobb Schools. 

From classrooms and cafeterias to transportation, maintenance, athletics, and school leadership, each retiree played an important role in supporting students and strengthening school communities throughout Cobb. “These retirees represent decades of dedication to students and families across our district,” said district leaders during the celebration. “Their work has helped create safe, welcoming, and successful learning environments for generations of Cobb students.” 

2026retirementluncheon-16x9-wm-12.ff1781129320.jpgGregory Lewis, Head Custodian at McEachern High SchoolAmong the retirees recognized this year, several employees reached remarkable service milestones. Gregory Lewis, head custodian at McEachern High School, retired after 45 years of service to Cobb Schools. His story reflects a deep connection to the school community. Lewis attended McEachern as a student before returning to serve the school for decades as a valued staff member. 2026retirementluncheon-16x9-wm-17.d23681129319.jpgJohn Stafford, Senior Executive Director of Events and Venue Management

John Stafford, Senior Executive Director of Events and Venue Management, is retiring after 42 years of service. Throughout his career, Stafford helped support countless district events, graduations, athletic competitions, and community gatherings that brought students and families together. 

Gregg Davis, supervisor of carpenters, glaziers, and locksmiths in Maintenance, concluded a 41-year career serving Cobb Schools. A graduate of Osborne High School, Davis spent decades helping maintain and improve school facilities across the district. As he enters retirement, he looks forward to staying busy and spending more time with his wife.

Cobb Schools Retirees

Cobb Schools retirees gather at the annual retirement celebration luncheon at the Cobb Convention Center.Cobb Schools retirees gather at the annual retirement celebration luncheon at the Cobb Convention Center.Cobb Schools retirees gather at the annual retirement celebration luncheon at the Cobb Convention Center.Cobb Schools retirees gather at the annual retirement celebration luncheon at the Cobb Convention Center.


RetireeSchool or DepartmentYears of Service
Patrick YoungCheatham Hill Elementary School30
Keith GravittDurham Middle School29
Aricia Whitton Pitner Elementary School10
Sarah FarrisTeasley Elementary School14
Noelle HuffHayes Elementary School30
Tammy WatsonRussell Elementary School28
Ashanti AllisonCity View Elementary School3
Cheryl HammenKincaid Elementary School
10
Tracey RussellPickett's Mill Elementary School25
Stephanie MillerBirney Elementary School23
Maribeth FuscoShallowford Falls Elementary School14
Carmen JohnsonHarrison High School22
Audrey DuncansonTransportation Central Office10
Marco Leggi TalamantesLovinggood Middle School19
Christina MayesNorth Cobb High School32
Belva AdamsPickett's Mill Elementary School22
Tonie VeraPope High School22
Licia MurrellMcClesky Middle School23
Twyla S. Hinton Floyd Middle School20
Vickie JohnsonAustell Elementary School26
Patty DiantoPitner Elementary School26
Vicky PhelpsNicholson Elementary School22
Susan RozelleFord Elementary School18
Heather Gutzmer-ReynoldsKincaid Elementary School20
Pam OrvinoChief of Staff13
Ellen Knowles GlantzbergLabelle Elementary School29
Laura KlinkVarner Elementary School15
Michele DunnKennesaw Elementary School26
Mary Palermo MangumNicholson Elementary School25
Debra SherwinChalker Elementary School30
Shannon KigerPalmer Middle School27
Jason ScottHarrison High School30
Sandy KlemmeSpecial Student Services30
Lori-Ann JimenezFord Elementary School22
Roni LevineSope Creek Elementary School14
Richard WilliamsonBrumby Elementary School18
Martha YazbakEnglish Learner Programs12
Gina CarterSope Creek Elementary School24
Stacy JentDaniell Middle School13
Kimberly CarrenNickajack Elementary School30
Dr. Mandy RuddellFord Elementary School31
Amy JonesHarrison High School20
Mary Anne AddisonClarkdale Elementary School30
Gina WheelerFinancial Services27
Beverley Ann CoxallSmyrna Elementary School20
Dr. Sharon Rebecca LewisStudent Assistance Programs35
Jan MooreOsborne High School20
Maria-Goretti NgongPearson Middle School26
Amy WestLassiter High School12
Kate BeckermanPope High School21
Lori Marlea SpeerCheatham Hill Elementary School31
Bill PhelpsHarrison High School18
Linette AndreaBarber Middle School20
Dr. Joseph WoodruffApplied Learning & Design12
Debbie MosherPurchasing25
Tracy D. MerrimanSprayberry High School22
W. Kevin TriebschEast Cobb Middle School30
Dr. Vickie GrantDurham Middle School5
Laurie HairstonArgyle Elementary School33
Fenicia HabershamCity View Elementary School10
Reba HeardOsborne High School17
Keva Marie HammondCity View Elementary School29
Cim Keith
North Cobb High School
24
Diane VardemanSouth Cobb Early Learning Center14
Paige HarrisPine Mountain Middle School33
David LambChalker Elementary School31
Tracy Young FieldsLost Mountain Middle School32
Maureen ArmstrongMountain View Elementary 20
Kathy EzzellNorth Cobb High School26
Harold "Pete" SaxtonDepartment of Public Safety8
Alison L. CrowleyFrey Elementary School20
Lori BargerWheeler High School15
Catherine MallandaChief Academic Officer30
James LavenderKing Springs Elementary School20
Jana R LadnerSope Creek Elementary School24
Reisha M McKinneyClay Harmony Leland Elementary School29
Robin CarneyMountain View Elementary School20
Vicki McDonaldEastside Elementary School19
Vivian D. HuddlestonClarkdale Elementary School23
Kathy E GoldenSpecial Student Services29
Helene VealLabelle Elementary School14
Anita McCurleyCommunity Engagement & Title I20
Rosaisela HerreraVaughan Elementary School28
Marla BaldwinMabry Middle School30
Idelsy IrsulaStudent Support4
Tracy J CloerKeheley Elementary School25
Ingrid J KorwekCobb Virtual Academy27
Beth BiancofioreBlackwell Elementary School19
Laverne L. ProctorRiverside Elementary School9
Catherine L. WoodStudent Assistance Programs28
Colleen A Yurkanin-HamHightower Trail Middle School18
Sally J BocarroAddison Elementary School21
Kathy PritchardClay Harmony Leland Elementary School31
Debbie BurdettAddison Elementary School30
Kathryn A. PooleBullard Elementary School30
Joe HilliardHillgrove High School30
Ashley HydeFord Elementary School32
Stacie MurrellDodgen Middle School32
Gloria Jean BrownRiverside Elementary School15
Edwin AinsworthKell High School10
Dayna ParkerCommunity Engagement & Title I23
Robbin SmithChalker Elementary School24
Lisa M. KelleyArgyle Elementary School12
Richard KahtDickerson Middle School29
Shannon McGillTimber Ridge Elementary School31
James BoylandLassiter High School20
Lori TaylorCompton Elementary School11
Julia JibilianTapp Middle School12
Wendell J. PurvisGreen Acres Elementary School16
Kimberly OdenBullard Elementary School31
Sonya Maria CollinsMcEachern High School9
Elizabeth DavisMabry Middle School28
Kellie ThomasKemp Elementary School17
Ivelisse ArochoBirney Elementary School22
Anne C BernardSedalia Park Elementary School11
Andrew ShivelyEast Cobb Middle School20
Lorraine Edwards Special Student Services25
Michele DiGiovineVarner Elementary School28
Martha FiggNorth Cobb High School12
Sandra K. AugustRocky Mount Elementary School24
Martha BuffardiBaker Elementary School26
Robin BlackburneHayes Elementary School19
Lisa DevineMountain View Elementary School11
Maria Lombardo GordonVarner Elementary School27
Phyllis Colette FosterClarkdale Elementary School5
Corinna OliverTeasley Elementary School28
Rose Dell'OrtoCobb Horizon High School23
Amy J AllenPowers Ferry Elementary School13
Leigh Anne KuhnWheeler High School33
Pamela K ChaffinsFrey Elementary School25
Sherilyn WalworthDickerson Middle School24
Tina GuestCobb Horizon High School21
Jeanne WalkerCobb Horizon High School30
Jacqueline StapletonNorth Cobb High School19
Melissa LaudickBig Shanty Elementary School21
Alicia HarrisHayes Elementary School29
Jill ClarkGarrison Mill Elementary School18
Isabel MartinezSanders Elementary School13
Philip A. KroegerCampbell High School20
Lynn DuhnStill Elementary School27
Nancy ParsonsDavis Elementary School19
Stephanie AlbrechtsonLassiter High School23
Bertha J RenderHillgrove High School24
Debra A. McMathFloyd Middle School19
Kelly Anne DrawdyDurham Middle School24
Laurie MendenhallVarner Elementary School20
Natalie FellerChief Strategy & Accountability 19
Sharon K. McBride-WoenagnonCity View Elementary School9
Debbi SnyderPitner Elementary School25
Rosana S MachadoCooper Middle School20
John StaffordEvents and Venue Management42
Rio Ricardo FrancisCity View Elementary School3
Catherine EwersPickett's Mill Elementary School26
Cindy KnightKincaid Elementary School15
Daphne Story HarpCity View Elementary School18
Amanda StricklandBullard Elementary School29
Evelyn E. DoddLassiter High School5
Wendy MossSpecial Student Services30
Lisa BoardmanDodgen Middle School20
Lisa SonenshineEast Valley Elementary School25
Joyce T. DeCarloSanders Elementary School23
Christine HipsherBullard Elementary School30
Michele LoweDavis Elementary School24
Beverly JonesBig Shanty Elementary School21
Pat MulkeyLost Mountain Middle School19
Joanna BurdellDaniell Middle School18
Clayton Davis TaylorHarrison High School36
Steve PowellFinancial Services24
Rhonda CraigMcEachern High School 23
Jeanette A WagerTeasley Elementary School11
Michael D StokeSmitha Middle School30
Leota ConnellyBullard Elementary School13
Laurel McCurrySpecial Student Services22
Tammy R DunnBirney Elementary School10
Howard Marc KaufmanLovinggood Middle School2
Rose SmithDowell Elementary School30
Deanna MunlinWheeler High School28
Cynthia Lavette-RobinsonClarkdale Elementary School15
Cori A. PedrazaEnglish Learner Programs26
Leise M. SmithGreen Acres Elementary School21
Michael ValleanMaintenance13
Amanda Richardson-VerserPebblebrook High School32
Stacy L. PittsAddison Elementary School24
Maria AcevedoBirney Elementary School24
Melissa WinstonWheeler High School27
Terron BeaulieuAcworth Elementary School12
Deborah TennysonKincaid Elementary School28
Veronica Bradley BrownPowder Springs Elementary School25
Rachelle DenisonSprayberry High School16
Lisa DeHartChalker Elementary School3
Judy ElwoodDickerson Middle School20
Angela Fenton BettisMcClure Middle School31
Teresa ClackumSpecial Student Services27
Valerie BryanKennesaw Mountain High School24
Lemieda JeterNickajack Elementary School21
Sandra BurnetteDurham Middle School10
Gregory M. WatsonPebblebrook High School11
Dr. Karen A. KisterDickerson Middle School30
Alison Disney DunfordTimber Ridge Elementary School18
Pamela BoneDickerson Middle School21
Dr. Stephanie WestbrookPebblebrook High School5
Dwayne WassonWheeler High School20
Fadwa D. BrownBarber Middle School25
Mary B WyneeSimpson Middle School23
Sheridan L. EvansSimpson Middle School12
Beverly H. CottonPickett's Mill Elementary17
Holly ReasonHarrison High School30
Jeannette GrayDurham Middle School22
Terri W. RobbinsKell High School19
Nancy LawHarrison High School18
Victoria HallSanders Elementary School28
Freddia D. AllenLindley Middle School31
Carol Ann PursellDowell Elementary School9
Bob ReiilyFood and Nutrition Services 23
Teresa WhiteBells Ferry Elementary School29
Katherine RussSanders Elementary School7
Jennifer KinsellaTapp Middle School30
Noreen MoloneyTeasley Elementary School25
Rebecca SladeMcCleskey Middle School26
Melva CopelandTransportation19
Kari L ReeveLewis Elementary School26
Claire GilesDodgen Middle School25
Paula J. WilsonHayes Elementary School26
Wendy CassidyPitner Elementary School24
Wanza WalstonAddison Elementary School33
Myrna AlleyPickett's Mill Elementary School24
Terry ParksSouth Cobb High School10
Christiane WyckoffSope Creek Elementary School23
Jocelyn McGradyPowder Springs Elementary School25
Melissa MaddenEastvalley Elementary School22
Ozzie StothartBirney Elementary School5
Tracy P GutierrezVarner Elementary School32
Eva CroninCobb Virtual Academy32
Terry DavisSouth Cobb High School33
Paula WhittleMcClesky Middle School19
Kristi CrimmFord Elementary School31
Lisa StricklandHarrison High School20
Sue A. BulockPalmer Middle School24
Stephen FieldsMabry Middle School8
Tracy Carter-MorganHillgrove High School23
Gregg DavisMaintenance41
Monique D. CableCampbell Middle School24
Cindy HudsonFood and Nutrition Services28
Peggy ClayAcworth Elementary School16
Glenn BattersbyMaintenance 10
Bethany BlackSpecial Student Services26
Lisa A. WatsonHillgrove High School25
Harold M. StegallPupil Transportation14
Debbie IsenbletterLassiter High School18
Connie BaileyCobb Horizon High School22
Samia Anderson-JordanRiverside Elementary School25
Terri HendersonEastvalley Elementary School25
Lorrie L MolyneauxClay Harmony Leland Elementary School20
Kris CableCompton Elementary School10
Dr. Sondra S. BriggsClay Harmony Leland Elementary School20
Sheri Jane FranceBlackwell Elementary School19
Gina DavisMountain View Elementary School29
Sherri HillChief of Staff28
Sarah MeisnerFrey Elementary School13
Ann Valecia NorwoodLabelle Elementary School6
Jayna RobinsonPine Mountain Middle School16
Bob FreminPupil Transportation14
Dana RomeroBullard Elementary School27
Rosalyn ComerLabelle Elementary School33
Jerry MahonPope High School29
Karla RozierKing Springs Elementary School30
Laura GunterTapp Middle School7
Linda DavisSchool Leadership29
Nancy M KingChalker Elementary School25
Anne Sutherland ThomasSprayberry High School23
Alicia LaFontaineLost Mountain Middle School19
Ellen T. HeathDurham Middle School14
Jan DilbeckMcEachern High School20
Crystal M. BentleyMountain View Elementary School18
Tammy MacLeanCobb Horizon High School31
Marni HermanDepartment of Public Safety22
Dorothy ReutherEastside Elementary School17
Rebecca KrizKing Springs Elementary School10
Kay M. ColeLost Mountain Middle School26
Gregory C. LewisMcEachern High School45
Nancy S MartinBullard Elementary School24
Teresa LangstonChief Leadership and Learning30
Teia H. WeldonBarber Middle School22
Sherri GriffithChief of Staff27
Sheri L. ParkerBells Ferry Elementary School26
Elleshia PoulinPupil Transportation21
Jacqueline FrossStudent Support30
Lawrence AllendorfHarrison High School15
Bonnie BearSmyrna Elementary School14
Sherry Renee StuartAwtrey Middle School26
Margaret-Ellen LaettnerMurdock Elementary School22
Cynthia Gasque ChastainAllatoona High School19
Deborah GrimesLassiter High School23
Kim KellettDodgen Middle School37
Kimberley MortonMabry Middle School26
Cheryl C. JohnsonCommunity Engagement & Title I10
Eric H SeverPope High School20
Gerri ArmstrongFood and Nutrition Services22
Lisa CaseyWheeler High School24
Janna Waters AtkinsHightower Trail Middle School15
Tobie McvicarPupil Transportation24
Kimberly HarrellPebblebrook High School30
Kelly LlerandiDavis Elementary School24


The annual retiree celebration also serves as a reminder that education is a team effort. Student success depends on the work of thousands of dedicated employees, many of whom spend entire careers serving their local schools and communities.

As Cobb Schools prepares to welcome a new school year in the months ahead, the district does so with gratitude for employees whose dedication helped build strong schools and communities across Cobb County. While these retirees may be stepping away from their official roles, their contributions will continue to make an impact for years to come. 

Congratulations to all 2026 retirees, and thank you for your remarkable service to students, staff members, families, and the entire Cobb community!


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