Ms. Marjorie works as a kitchen assistant in
Baker County where she prepares and serves students, PreK through 12th grade, each and every day. She celebrates her 70th birthday in January and credits her family for giving her the strength to keep going strong!
Originally from Pelham, GA, Ms. Marjorie has family roots in New Jersey but ended up calling Camilla, GA, her home. The journey to Baker County took her straight through Camilla and across “the bridge" into Baker County. It is true what they say, you better be ready to hang a quick right when you cross the bridge into the Baker County School parking lot, or you will miss it. The history between Mitchell County and Baker County dates back many years, and according to records Mitchell County was created in 1857 from a portion of Baker County that lay east of the Flint River, in the heart of Southwest Georgia. For years, the counties shared a High School, Mitchell Baker High, and it remained that way until individual schools were built. Ms. Marjorie dates back throughout a portion of this history and fondly recalls memories along the way.
Ms. Marjorie and her husband of 43 years met each other at the tender age of 12, and I guess it's safe to say the rest is history. Together, they grew a family of six children, 15 grandchildren, and one great grand thus far. Ms. Marjorie is so proud of her family and the successes of many. The pride glistened in her eyes and in the tone of her voice as she leaned back casually on the lunch table stool as to share a story with a long-time friend. I could tell instantly that this faith filled mama and grandmother realized that her blessings received came from her loving family.
Ms. Marjorie has a keen sense of humor, directness in her voice, and a joy for life. She brings a sense of humor to the kitchen as noted among the other staff. She shares never ending stories about her life and is sure to lift the spirits of those around her.
Cheryl Bell, cafeteria manager jokingly commented, “She occasionally has to be reminded of who's really in charge because her motherly instincts rise up. She is a true pleasure to work with and has a hilarious sense of humor." Ms. Marjorie brought with her plenty of food knowledge and experience from the technical side of food production when she joined the Baker County staff. She ended her previous career at Sanderson Farms as a USDA Quality Control Assurance Technician and shared that her time in quality control taught her many things about production, efficiency, and product acceptability. She retired to care for her 90-year-old mother who passed soon after. Ms. Marjorie then set out to fill her time in yet another job, which landed her in the kitchen with Baker County Schools. For the past five years she has continued to serve the students with a smile and was steadfast in keeping the kitchen sanitized and safe during the pandemic. She wanted the kids safe and well-fed. Ms. Marjorie continues those practices every day and insists that others around her do the same.
During her time off from school nutrition work, she enjoys traveling, cooking, and spends each summer with her family and friends in New Jersey. Ms. Marjorie sums it up perfectly, “My family keeps me young. If one can't handle me, they call in the rest of the group." I met a hero when I met Ms. Marjorie and I am so glad I did.