After 50 years of teaching and guiding children, Lucy Summerlin, better known as &#8220Miss Lucy” at Luverne School, is saying goodbye.

Summerlin officially retired May 31 with the Crenshaw County School System. She has served as guidance counselor at Luverne Elementary School since 1989.

Born in Highland Home, Ala., to Rouden and Cladie Summerlin, Miss Lucy began her teaching career on April 2, 1957, at Brantley Elementary School under School Superintendent Charles English. She stayed at Brantley for seven years. She then transferred to Helicon where she taught P.E., Health, and math, and she served as the basketball and cheerleading coach as well.

&#8220I love children so much,” Summerlin said. &#8220I have watched many school buses leave for the summertime ever since 1957, but I never had the feeling I had at the end of this school year as I watched the children wave goodbye.”

Summerlin transferred to Luverne School in 1968, teaching physical education. She later taught kindergarten and fifth grade before moving into her present counseling position.

Outside of school, Summerlin is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She's a member of Southside Church of Christ where she also teaches Sunday School, and she is a member of the Central Montgomery Optimist Club.

In 1992, Summerlin began the Luverne Elementary Peer Club. Each year, she would take the club's members to sing Christmas carols at Luverne Health and Rehab.

During the spring, the Peer Club would hold its annual field trip, with this year's trip being extra special.

On Friday, April 27, Miss Lucy took her last field trip with her Peer Club. They visited the Governor's mansion and the Rosa Parks Museum. They also got a personal tour of Summerlin's home.

However, Miss Lucy was in for a big surprise when the group returned to the school as she was honored by the Peer Club with a reception. She was presented with an award and a watch for their appreciation and many thanks. The children also had a cake that said, &#8220We will miss you,” written on it. Plus, she was sent a rubber plant from her uncle who lives in Detroit.

Her uncle, Dr. Ledell Griffin of Detroit, Michigan, was on hand for her retirement party, which was held at LHS on Wednesday, May 30.

&#8220Miss Lucy will be greatly missed by everyone at Luverne School as well as the entire Crenshaw County School System,” Schools Superintendent Kathi Wallace said.

&#8220She has been a model of gracefulness and kindness to all with whom she has come into contact.

We wish that her retirement will be all that she ever imagined it would be.

She has certainly earned it.”

And, just what does she have planned to do now?

&#8220I'm going to do some walking and start going to the gym,” Summerlin said, smiling. &#8220I'm not going to sleep in really late.”

Other retirement plans include visiting her daughter, Wondy Johnson Weston, and her family. They live in Houston, Texas. Summerlin has one granddaughter, Jade Weston, who is 9.

&#8220I can't wait to spend more time with my granddaughter and do some traveling,” Summerlin added.

As for her education career, the one thing she'll miss the most, of course, are the students.

&#8220I won't be able to walk down the halls and hear them say, ‘Good morning, Miss Lucy.' That's going to be the hardest part.”