LIVE OAK – She’s covered crime and corruption and met key politicians and famous musicians. But perhaps she is best remembered for her connection to the community, for ensuring community news never goes untold. And she has told the story of Suwannee County.

After almost 30 years as a journalist Suwannee Democrat Managing Editor Susan K. Lamb is retiring from a job that’s meant so much to her and her community.

During her career she has served as a correspondent, reporter and editor for several newspapers and other publications. Lamb served as the managing editor for the Suwannee Democrat twice, including the last 11 years.

Being a reporter wasn’t something Lamb set out to do. It just happened. In 1978 when her son entered kindergarten, she needed something to do in the mornings before picking him up. One day Lamb took a trip to the Suwannee Democrat to visit her friend Janie Murphy, then editor. She asked her friend, “Janie, I need something to do in the morning. You got anything?”

Murphy’s response was quick. “Yeah, I’ll make a reporter out of you,” she said.

Soon after, Lamb was given her first writing assignment – a feature story about a man whose friends were helping make his life-long dream a reality. The man, 70-something, was sick and was not expected to live long. His dream was to float down the Suwannee River on a raft, and his friends were determined to make that happen.

Lamb visited the man’s home and watched while his friends built the raft in his front yard. It was her first chance to connect with the community as a reporter. To touch a life she may never have been able to know or reach.

“I was hooked at that point,” she said of her first few writing experiences.

After only three months she received a phone call from the editor of the Tallahassee Democrat with the offer to be a correspondent.

The job as a freelancer paid off in other ways by giving Lamb the opportunity to stay at home with her four children.

Even as a young reporter, Lamb had learned the art of developing the trust of her sources. She quickly won the friendship of law enforcement officials, attorneys and judges and could often get the scoop when many reporters were left searching for answers.

Though the job forced her to cover many stories that seemed grim, Lamb considered that an opportunity to make a difference in the community. If it was a court case or drug bust, she saw it as an opportunity to further justice or comfort those involved.

“There were times when I walked to the back room where the defendant was and we hugged and cried because it was a terrible thing that this person was going to prison,” she said. ‘I may have loved that person very much and hated to do it, yet I had to do my job.”

If it was a car crash involving injury or death, she saw it as an opportunity to impact the lives of victims and their families.

She said once the scanner sounded with news of a car crash, “I immediately prayed for the people going to the accident, the people at the accident and the families of the people in the accident … that God might spare the life of someone who might die.”

She would often say that going to vehicle accidents gave reporters a chance to come in contact with those they may never have met otherwise to make a difference in a time of difficulty.

Lamb had many opportunities to cover positive stories as well. There were annual festivals, socials and teas, high school graduations, parades and ball games to name a few. These gave her a chance to connect with the community and assure them she cared about Suwannee County and its goings on. She made sure civic and other organizations were well represented. Parades and festivals always got a prominent spot in the paper. And Suwannee County athletes were highlighted in the sport’s section each edition.

The job has given Lamb the opportunity to meet politicians, music stars and locals who she considers just as important. Among the list of politicians are Gov. Bob Graham, the late State Sen. Pete Skinner, the late State Rep. Wayne Hollingsworth, Gov. Charlie Crist and Congressman Allen Boyd, to name a few.

The list of music stars she has met is as long. Among them are Toby Keith, John Anderson, Dolly Parton, John Berry and Jerry Clower.

Despite Lamb’s numerous list of VIPs she’s had the opportunity to meet, she considers the average, everyday people of Suwannee County among her favorites to have known. To her, covering pilau dinners has been just as important as covering politics.

She’s constantly had her finger on the pulse of the community.

“Sue’s been an asset to this community,” said Mayor Sonny Nobles. “Not only has she reported the news, she has had a role in influencing the direction our community has taken on many issues.”

Lamb credited the people of Suwannee County and God for her success.

“It was not about me but about the community. But, I couldn’t have done it without the Lord,” she said.

“I’ll miss all the wonderful people I’ve worked with. I appreciate all the kindness people have shared with me over the years,” she said.

Lamb is retiring to allow time for family and gardening. She will miss the newspaper but will still be around.

Lamb’s last day on the job was Friday, March 9, when she was honored at a retirement party at the Dixie Grill in Live Oak.

The Democrat’s new managing editor is Robert Bridges, who has been working at Suwannee Democrat since August.