ECCC Retirees Look Forward To New Activities

DECATUR, Miss. (PRESS RELEASE) – East Central Community College faculty and staff members Vicki Blaylock, Tina Harris and Dr. Evadna Lyons are each looking forward to new and varied activities when they retire at the end of the 2015-16 term.

Blaylock joined the ECCC staff as choral director/vocal instructor in 2000 and also serves as Fine Arts Division chairperson.

She has completed 33 total years in the field of education.

As with many who have worked in education for so long, Blaylock said it’s the students and her colleagues she will miss most.

“Retirement is bittersweet,” she said.

“East Central has two great things: wonderful students and great people working here. It will seem strange to give up my identity as someone’s music teacher. That may be the hardest adjustment but life is comprised of chapters and it is time for me to move to the next chapter.”

Those students have also been the best part of her job.

“The thing I have enjoyed most is teaching music to my students and watching them grow to produce a musical program that touches others.”

She added, “If I could give advice to my students it would be to choose a career that you enjoy getting up and doing each day. That has been the biggest blessing for me. For me, my work as a music educator was not a job. It was fun every day.”

Her retirement plans include family, church and hobbies.

“I look forward to visiting my parents, my 96-year-old grandmother, my sister and others. I plan to get more involved with church activities and spend time with my hobbies, including reading, refinishing furniture and playing my new grand piano.”

After her husband, Ronnie, retires, Blaylock said they plan to retire to western North Carolina and hope to volunteer with the Red Cross.

The Blaylocks have two grown children: Clanton and Anna-Rose.

Harris has served as basic skills specialist in the college’s Workforce Development Center since 2001.

She has completed 25 years total in education.

When asked her thoughts as she nears retirement, she said, “I never thought I would retire this young, but I am so excited to begin this new phase of my life.”

She said her plans include spending more time with her husband, Britt, and family, studying her Bible and working to become healthier.

“The one thing I look forward to most in retirement is being able to rest. I take medicine that makes me tired and sick a lot. I don’t have energy to do anything except work now. I want to cook supper and clean house and would also like to teach and/or tutor part-time.”

Like those before her, Harris says it’s the people who have made her job enjoyable.

“I love working with the community, people in industry and the students at East Central. That is what I will miss most.”

Lyons joined the ECCC faculty as an associate degree nursing instructor in 2009 and has completed 28 years in education

Reflecting on her career and upcoming retirement, Lyons said, “I am grateful that God enabled me to fulfil my passion and purpose in life by teaching and being able to retire in early middle age. I truly love teaching students and I could literally teach for free. I also reflect on the challenging times that have occurred in my career and realized that though obstacles exist, God will always carry you through. I have been an instructor, director, professor, and program head, but the most important title that I have acquired is that of ‘teacher.’ I am proud to have touched the lives of thousands of nurses in Mississippi.”

She added, “I have enjoyed teaching the students from the five-county area of East Central Mississippi. The students are intelligent, caring, compassionate and, most of all, have excellent manners.”

In her retirement, Lyons said she hopes to take as many trips to the Florida beaches as possible and eventually would love to write a book, teach online and teach wellness education classes.

Lyons also said of her career, “It is important to give people opportunities based on their skills and talents. I was given an opportunity to teach at a very young age. This opportunity has allowed me to continue to grow and become an expert educator who has achieved a terminal degree. I am grateful that Dr. (Bill) Scaggs welcomed me with open arms into the wonderful world of educating students at the community college level over 28 years ago.”

Retirees and other award recipients will be honored at the college’s end-of-the-year faculty and staff luncheon scheduled May 6 in Mabry Cafeteria.

TINA HARRIS

EVADNA LYONS

VICKI BLAYLOCK