Legacy Senior Living | Former Teacher Feature Part 2

As the back-to-school season begins, we are taking a moment across our communities to honor a very special group of residents: our retired educators!

Teaching is a lifelong calling rooted in patience, dedication, and a passion for shaping the the next generation. From one-room schoolhouses to university lecture halls, these incredible individuals have spent decades guiding and inspiring generations of students. Please join us in celebrating some of the retired teachers who make our communities so special!

Retired Educators at our Legacy Senior Living Communities:

Legacy Village of Jacksonville

Judy Douthit: Judy taught high school business, typing, shorthand, and accounting in Jacksonville and Anniston before retiring from Jacksonville High School in 1991.
Carole Campbell: Carole’s versatile career spanned 4th grade, middle school English, pre-K, and teaching night classes at Jacksonville State University.
Don Orton: Starting his career in 1966 teaching mechanical drawing, Don later served as the principal at Fairview Middle School for 20 years before retiring.
Jim Whetstone: Jim spent around 20 years teaching accounting and business law as a professor at Gadsden State University, JSU, and Fort McClellan.

Read more stories about our Jacksonville residents at:

https://www.legacyjacksonville.net/newsroom#ResidentSpotlight

Legacy Village of Hendersonville

Jackie Carrigan: After starting as a middle school English teacher, Jackie became an elementary school librarian and later served as the Head of Technology for the Plainfield, Indiana school district.

Read more stories about our Hendersonville residents at:

https://www.legacyhendersonville.net/newsroom#ResidentSpotlight

The Harbor at Hickory Hill

Loretta Sykes: Loretta enjoyed a rewarding 30-year career as a home economics teacher, inspiring students across high schools in Alabama.
Virginia Jones: Following in her mother’s footsteps, Virginia spent years teaching at Floyd Junior High and Jeff Davis High School, fondly regarding all her students as her children.

Read more stories about our Hickory Hill residents at:

https://www.hickoryhillharbor.net/newsroom#ResidentSpotlight

Legacy Village at Plantation Manor

Amy Bozeman: Amy spent 30 years shaping young minds across elementary grade levels (K–5) in Valdosta and Thomasville.
LeGrande Renfroe: With a Master’s in reading and literacy, LeGrande taught primary grade reading for nearly 30 years and proudly remembers teaching during the integration of schools.

Read more stories about our Plantation Manor residents at:

https://www.legacythomasville.net/newsroom#ResidentSpotlight

Renaissance Assisted Living and The Harbor at Renaissance

Linda Breeden: A natural storyteller who taught various grades, Linda loved sharing her passions, travel experiences, and world outlook with her students.

Read more stories about our Renaissance Assisted Living and The Harbor residents at:

https://www.theharboralf.cc/newsroom#ResidentSpotlight

https://www.renaissancealf.cc/newsroom#ResidentSpotlight

Legacy Village of Cleveland

Mary Ann Grossbier:Mary Ann spent 25 years teaching cosmetology, inspiring confidence and encouraging creativity in future industry professionals.
Joe Chatham: Joe taught high school, served as a vice principal, and went on to serve as the Dean of Students and Vice President at Tomlinson College.
Evaline Echols:Evaline devoted an incredible 59 years to Lee University, serving as a professor and Chair of the Business Department.
Paul Duncan: Paul served as the Dean of Students at Lee University for 16 years, teaching sociology, marriage, and family classes.

Read more stories about our Cleveland residents at:

https://www.legacycleveland.net/newsroom#ResidentSpotlight

Renaissance Marquis

Diane Minshew: Inspired by learning American Sign Language at her church, Diane spent 32 years as a dedicated educator at the Georgia School for the Deaf, building lifelong bonds with her students.

Read more stories about our Renaissance Marquis residents at:

https://www.renaissancemarquis.com/newsroom#ResidentSpotlight

Renaissance of Annandale

Frank Swanson: Frank taught insurance courses at community and technical colleges, using his passion for lifelong learning to help students build practical skill sets.
Jean Maijala: Jean spent years teaching grade school, finding immense joy in watching children grow into independent learners.

Read more stories about our Annandale residents at:

https://www.renaissanceannandale.net/newsroom#ResidentSpotlight

Renaissance Senior Living of Hilldale

Tom Leonard: Inspired by his own high school teacher, Tom spent 35 years teaching college genetics and considers the warmest hugs from former students his greatest reward.

Read more stories about our Hilldale residents at:

https://www.renaissancehilldale.net/newsroom#ResidentSpotlight

To all of our resident educators: thank you for the decades of wisdom, energy, and love you poured into your classrooms. Your legacy lives on in every student you inspired!