Gina Johnston surprised with retirement party; ends 34 years with DCS

After some 34 four years at the Demopolis City Schools Board of Education, Gina Johnston is retiring.

Although Jan. 31 will be her last day in the Central Office of the Demopolis City Schools Board of Education, Johnston was surprised with a retirement party Tuesday. Her family, friends and former and current teachers and administrators, including former superintendent Kyle Kallhoff, cheered her as she entered the Board Room.

“When you’ve been here 34 years, you have a lot of people who want to say thank you,” said DCS Supt. Tony Willis. Calling her the “consummate professional, he added, “We’re going to miss her.”

Johnston, who admitted to being speechless and totally surprised, said she started crying when friends, family and co-workers greeted her. All three daughters — two from Atmore and Atlanta — added to the surprise.

The secret “was so hard to keep,” said her granddaughter Lorelei Russell, especially since the family had spend the previous weekend together.

Leaving her post as Federal Programs and Curriculum Director, Johnston said she hasn’t made any specific plans about what she will do after retiring, although she expects to visit with the five grandchildren and to “enjoy life one day at a time.”

As she sat in the rocking chair she received as a gift, Johnston teased her husband Johnny by saying she’ll now be able to supervise all the tasks she has given him.