Upon retirement, some people dream of being able to travel freely and enjoy the fruits of their years of working. Some retirees dream of retiring and enjoying life with their friend.
A group of retired educators from the Carroll County School District are doing both as part a group the formed, known as the Retiree Sisterhood.
The Retiree Sisterhood in 2014 when Laura Curry and several others educators retired. Over the years of working together at the Carroll County School District, the women had formed a bond and wanted to remain in touch with each other. With that in mind, they decided to form the Retiree Sisterhood, a group that continued to grow over the years.
Now, in its fourth year, the group includes former educators and support staff who retired or is currently semi-retired from the Carroll County School District. Some members have returned to their jobs with the school district because they were needed or they just couldn’t stay away from the classroom.
One of those teachers is Margaret Bailey.
“I went back because they needed me,” Bailey said. “But, I love teaching. I don’t think I could do anything else.”
Curry said the Retiree Sisterhood not just limited to teachers, but it’s open to anyone who worked in the district.
“We have bus drivers, cafeteria workers, secretaries, so it’s not just teachers,” Curry said. She is the former principal of Marshall Elementary School in Vaiden.
The ladies are able to kick back and unwind with friends, that’s the purpose of the group.
“We enjoy each other’s company,” Curry said.
She said the group meets once a month. On Aug. 17, they met at Guy’s Catfish and Steakhouse in Vaiden. All of the women wore yellow shirts that read, “Warning! I may shout at any time Retiree Sisterhood.”
Curry said not all of the members live in Carroll County. Some live in Holmes County, some live in Montgomery County, some live as far as Jackson. They travel to be with each other. It’s their own little getaway from everything else happening in their lives.
At the meetings, the ladies catch up with each other and find out what’s been going on since school started, all while enjoying a meal and a good hearty laugh. They also share personal news – from community happenings to what their grandchildren have achieved.
Some of the ladies have known each other since high school, with some of the women reminiscing about their time as students at Vaiden High School.
“I just love the camaraderie and getting together,” said Eula Phillips.
She said the Retiree Sisterhood enjoys being with each other and being retired, and others echoed the sentiment.
The Retiree Sisterhood has traveled to many locales, and in true educator form, they try to go places with some type of education experience.
They’ve visited the newly-opened Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and Mississippi History Museum in Jackson, the B.B. King Museum in Indianola, toured Alcorn State University, went to a concert in Meridian, took a tour of the antebellum homes in Natchez, and more.
“We never stop learning,” Curry said. “We’re always wanting to learn something and expand our knowledge. And if you have a suggestion of where we should go, let us know. We’ll take them.”
