Kennard ISD honors retiring employee

By Jan White
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KENNARD – A reception will be held at the Kennard ISD Cafeteria on Sunday, Jan. 9, from 2 -4 p.m., to honor Carolyn Harrison for her 43 years of service to the Kennard School District. 

Harrison retired as Administrative Assistant to Superintendent Lindsey Malinda on December 17, 2021, but her legacy at the Kennard School District started many years ago.

Carolyn Morgan was born in Houston on October 6, 1947, the only child of D.L. and Louise Morgan. When Carolyn was about a year old, the Morgans moved to the tiny community of Center Hill. She attended school in Kennard from first through twelfth grade, where, in 1966, she graduated as Valedictorian of her class. Carolyn continued her education at Massey Business College in Houston, aftward finding employment with Fenley & Fenley Law Firm in Lufkin, and later with Crockett attorneys Joe Griffith, J. B. Sallas and Gus Merriwether. 

On June 26, 1971, Carolyn married Jerry Harrison. Their first child, Jennifer, was born in October 1973, followed by Jeffrey in May 1976.  In 1979, Carolyn saw a job posted in the newspaper for the tax collector position at Kennard ISD. She applied for and accepted the job working with Roy English as a Tax Collector Clerk at Kennard ISD. The move fulfilled Carolyn’s desire to have the same time off as her children and also be closer to home. When Mrs. Jim Barclay retired as administrative assistant to the Superintendent, Carolyn stepped in to fill the position, which she’s maintained ever since. 

As the administrative assistant, Carolyn wore many hats – she was board secretary, produced vital reports, agendas, minutes, was overseer of Trustee elections, transportation reports, cafeteria reports, and personnel records. But most people will remember Carolyn as the face of the Administration office. Her many years of service and in-depth knowledge of policies and procedures provided continuity and made her the go-to person for answers on numerous topics. Always friendly, cheerfully greeting visitors, and helping direct them to where they needed to go, Carolyn is well known and loved by many.

Amy Gladden, a long-time friend, and colleague tells the story of Carolyn and her typewriter. “Mrs. Harrison was the last person in Kennard ISD to use an electric typewriter. She insisted on having one long after everyone else had transitioned to computers and printers. One of the hardest parts about leaving her job was that she would have to give up her treasured electric typewriter. She’d made up her mind to ask if she could have it, but the district beat her to the punch, gifting the typewriter to her upon her retirement. Now not only has Kennard ISD lost their beloved Mrs. Harrison, but they’ve also lost their last typewriter!” 

Family has always been an integral part of Carolyn’s life. Not only is she grandmother to Lauren Cyr and Clay Cyr, but she is the proud great-grandmother to the newest addition to the family. Lauren’s adorable daughter. Since her retirement, Carolyn has been able to spend more time with Rhylynn, who was born in July of 2021.

We at the Courier, along with family and friends, would like to offer our congratulations to Mrs. Carolyn Harrison on her retirement. We wish her the all best as she moves forward to enjoy this new chapter of her life.