The Edgecombe-Nash Retired School Personnel met at 11 a.m. May 10 at the DoubleTree Hotel in the Magnolia Room for the End-of-Year Banquet.

President Laurette Lewis welcomed everyone. Kaithlyn Flythe, the guest soloist of Tarboro High School, entertained the members and guests with several musical selections: “Cowboy’s Sweetheart,” “Don’t You Want to Go?” and “You Ain’t Woman Enough to Take My Man.” Later, she sang “Redeemer,” “Like My Mother Does” and “Testify.”

Words of Inspiration were given by Shirley Felton. She focused on how important it is for us to include comedy in our lives and how laughter helps our physical and mental well-being.

In a Candle Lighting Memorial Tribute, Doris Cooper and Hattie Cooper recognized the 2011-2012 deceased members: Mary Daley, Ollie Lee, Laura Battle, James Felton, Sim Wilde and Rosalie Beatty.

Hattie Cooper read “Walk of Remembrance,” and Dorethea Walston sang “Amazing Grace.”

President Lewis gave a special tribute to Bernice Britt from Castalia where she is a member of Cedar Rock Missionary Baptist Church. Her son, Anthony W. Brown, was her guest.

Britt’s 35 year teaching career included: 20 years at Cedar Grove Elementary; nine years at Red Oak Elementary; and two years at Benvenue Elementary, one year in Franklin Pearce County in Takoma, Washington, three years at Upper Heyford Air Force Base in Yorkshire County, England where she lived for five years.

Her travels include 48 states, England, Germany, Wales, Scotland, Belgium, France, Portugal and Canada.

President Lewis read “Live Life” which summarized the full life Bernice Britt has had.

She was honored with gift bags and a musical tribute, “Wind Beneath My Wings,” sung by Mary Mann.

One of her six grandchildren is Nate Britt (Washington, D.C./Gonzaga), ESPNU’s No. 15 overall player and No. 2 rated junior point guard. He is expected be tapoint guard in the Class of 2013 at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Dorethea Walston, Community Service Chairperson, recognized and presented certificates to members for community service hours in 2011. Dee Long was awarded a certificate and a trophy for volunteering the most hours in 2011.

Lewis presented Mrs. Martha Stith and Mr. Jerry Smith (not present) with certificate of appreciation for participating in a school project at D.S. Johnson Elementary School.

These members were recognized for Perfect Attendance at 2011-2012 meetings: Janie Battle, Helen Brown, Elaine Cherry, Carolyn Edge, Mary Hannon, Dee Long, Mary Mann, Bernice Britt, Karen Moore, Juanita Phillips, Cynthia Pitchford, Gladys Ray, Ruth Smith, Donald Thomas, Barbara Whitaker and Mary Williams. Janie Battle won the $25 gift certificate drawing for perfect attendance members.

Lewis presented outgoing officers and committee chairpersons gift bags and certificates of appreciation for their support and dedication: Vice President Mary Williams, Secretary Mary Mann, Assistant Secretary Evelyn Johnson, Treasurer Minnie Campbell, Assistant Treasurer Mary Hannon, and Parliamentarian Donald Thomas. Committee Chairpersons: Community Participation-Dorethea Walston, Constitution- Rosa Brodie; Health & Retirement Issues- Mabel McIntyre and Joyce Vick, Legislative-Raymond Privott, Media-Dee Long, Memorial- Ernestine Belfield, Nominations-Nellie Hunter, Publications- Doris Cooper, and Scholarship-Jessie Jones.

Rosa Brodie installed the 2012-14 officers: President-Mary Williams, Vice President- Evelyn Johnson, Secretary-Mary Mann, Assistant Secretary-Cynthia Pitchford; Treasurer-Donald Thomas, Assistant Treasurer-Mary S. Hannon.