Huntsville City Schools (HCS) recognized the dedication and service of its retirees during the annual Retiree Reception held on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the Huntsville Center for Technology. The event honored employees who retired during the past school year after years of commitment to serving students, families, and the Huntsville community.
The celebration brought together educators, support staff, administrators, family members, and colleagues to reflect on the lasting impact of the retirees’ work across the district. The district honored a total of 65 retirees, including 46 certified employees and 19 classified employees.
“Our retirees represent decades of excellence, service, and dedication to Huntsville City Schools,” said Dr. Clarence Sutton, HCS Superintendent. “Their work has shaped classrooms, strengthened schools, and positively influenced generations of students. We are truly grateful for their commitment.”
2025 Retirees
Lenora Allen (Blossomwood Elementary)
Karen Anderson (Mountain Gap Middle)
Curtis Anderton (HVAC/Plumbing)
Lysa Augustin (Hampton Cove Middle)
David Belton (MLK Jr. Elementary)
Vera Bolton (Huntsville High)
Leigh Brown (Huntsville High)
Rebecca Brown (Grissom High)
Anita Burgess (Challenger Middle)
Elizabeth Butler (James I. Dawson Elementary)
Amy Clark (I.T. Operations)
Emily Clark (Goldsmith-Schiffman Elementary)
Joyce Collier (MLK Jr. Elementary)
Kathy Craig (Montview Elementary)
Francis Crow (Columbia High)
Kimberly Davidson (Providence Elementary)
Gwendolyn Dees Woods (Rolling Hills Elementary)
Richard Dutton (Grissom High)
Brenda England (Health Services)
Jo Ann Erdelt (Morris Elementary)
Tod Ferguson (New Century Technology High)
Vernadine Fitcheard (Columbia High)
Sherry Freeman (Mountain Gap CNP)
Marcia Getfield (Farley Elementary)
Debora Graham (Monte Sano Elementary)
Marilyn Hart (CNP)
Robert Haynes (Operations – Security)
Teresa Hendrix (James I. Dawson Elementary)
Alice Hereford (James I. Dawson Elementary)
April Hodo Randall (Hampton Cove Elementary)
Denise Hotaling (Hampton Cove Middle)
Mary Hudson (Grissom High)
Bobbie Humphrey (Whitesburg CNP)
Tracey Inman (Whitesburg Elementary)
Latoya Jennings (Sonnie Hereford Elementary)
Irma Jones (Sonnie Hereford Elementary)
James Kendrick (Columbia High)
Therina King (Academy for Academics & Arts Elementary)
Casey Lavender (James I. Dawson Elementary)
Jamelle Linker (Hampton Cove Middle)
Charles Lyle (Williams Middle)
Suzanne Marquez (Highlands Elementary)
Celeste Mathews (Mountain Gap Middle)
Jeri Morrison (Challenger Elementary)
Phyllis Moses (Artemis Virtual Academy)
Dana Mucci (Grissom High)
Paula Newman (Hampton Cove Middle)
Bethany Pauli (Blossomwood Elementary)
Stacy Payseur (Weatherly Heights Elementary)
Jill Queeney (New Century Technology High)
Dawn Rayburn (Apollo Academy)
Sandra Richards Wesley (Columbia High)
Diane Richie (Lee High)
Kimberly Riley (Weatherly Heights Elementary)
Janice Rogers (Finance)
Gladys Sandifer (Lee High)
Kellie Shorter (Whitesburg Elementary)
Oscar Smith (Operations – Security)
Gwendolyn Spears (Columbia High)
Glenda Stone (Farley Elementary)
Patricia Sullivan (Grissom High)
Julie Summers (New Century Technology High)
John Vernon (Grissom High)
Emily Wolfe (Whitesburg Elementary)
Jacqueline Wortendyke (Challenger Elementary)
Additionally, HCS is proud to recognize employees who have dedicated 30 or more years of service to the district. These honorees include Karen Anderson of Mountain Gap Middle School; Elizabeth Butler of James I. Dawson Elementary School; Robert Haynes of Operations–Security; Denise Hotaling of Hampton Cove Middle School; James Kendrick of Columbia High School; Casey Lavender of James I. Dawson Elementary School; Dana Mucci of Grissom High School; Kimberly Riley of Weatherly Heights Elementary School; Patricia Sullivan of Grissom High School; and John Vernon of Grissom High School.
The HCS Retiree Reception is a longstanding tradition that reflects the district’s commitment to honoring those who have devoted their careers to education and public service. HCS extends its sincere thanks to all retirees for their years of dedication and wishes them continued success and fulfillment in the next chapter of their lives.