Hezekiah retires after 36 years of teaching

Published 12:00 pm Thursday, July 4, 2019

VALDOSTA — A retirement celebration was held in honor of teacher Stephanie Hezekiah. 

After teaching 36 years in Georgia public schools, Hezekiah retired, organizers said. 

Her career began in August 1983 at Calhoun County High School in Edison where she taught business classes mainly typing later renamed keyboarding. 

In November 1986, she taught grades first through third at Quitman Primary School in Quitman. From August 1989 to May 30 of this year, Hezekiah taught business classes, cooperative business education and later work-based learning at Lowndes High School, her alma mater. 

During her tenure at Lowndes High School, she was the adviser for the business student organization Future Business Leaders of America.

The retirement party was held at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center. The retiree’s family, godmother, friends, colleagues, mentors and church family attended. 

Special guests included Hezekiah’s former teachers including Evelyn Isom, fifth-grade teacher and music teacher, Marion Duckworth, Leila Ellis Elementary School (Valdosta City Schools). Former high school teachers from Lowndes High School were Linda Todd-Black, business and VOT teacher, and Marcellous Carter, art teacher. 

The retiree’s former students participated in the program. The Master of Ceremony, Juan Troy, traveled from Texas to attend. The invocation was given by Minister Allen Michael Lane. Valious Smith-Lucas reflected on the retiree as FBLA adviser and her teacher. 

Dr. Michael Black reflected on Hezekiah as his teacher. Minister Brandon Colquitt, a former student who is also the retiree’s cousin, sang a solo. Marieh Fitzgerald, the retiree’s cousin and retired educator, read a poem. 

Carol Ann Logan, her co-worker for 30 years in the business department at Lowndes High School, shared some moments they shared and an original poem entitled “My Buddy.” 

Valerie Foster McCauley, the retiree’s childhood friend since first grade, came from Virginia to celebrate with Hezekiah. She was in charge of registration and door prizes.

A buffet dinner was served. A PowerPoint presentation created by the retiree was presented during dinner. The program ended with remarks from Hezekiah. Guests enjoyed sweet treats of cake, candy apples and the retiree’s favorite childhood candies as the program came to an end. 

Decorations were by Worryfree Weddings owned by Lynette Council. Pictures and video by Davis Home Video, owned by Melvin Davis.