The Tarkington ISD School Board honored Georgia Yancey with the 2024 Commitment to Education: Community Award during its meeting on Monday, Jan. 27. The award is presented to a community leader who promotes and supports the education of youth both inside and beyond the classroom.
For Yancey, education is about tradition, family, and a lifelong commitment to improving students’ quality of life. Her dedication to Tarkington ISD spans more than three decades, beginning as a bus driver before transitioning to a secretary position in the Maintenance and Transportation Department. She later became head of the department, serving as transportation supervisor. From 2004 to 2016, she also worked as custodial supervisor before retiring in 2016.
Yancey followed in the footsteps of her mother, Ruth Lewis, who was a dedicated school bus driver for Tarkington ISD for 27 years. Her stepfather, Lloyd Lewis, worked in the Maintenance Department, where he helped keep the buses running while also serving as a bus driver. Several of Yancey’s family members have also worked as bus drivers for the district, including her stepsister, Sandy Plummer Steele, and sisters-in-law, Carolyn Brown Caswell and Connie Plummer.
Yancey’s connection to Tarkington ISD runs deep. Her three brothers and their spouses, along with five nieces, have all attended Tarkington schools. Closer to home, her son Shane, a 1997 graduate, and his wife, Rosa, a district employee, have two children, Abigail (Class of 2020) and Connor (Class of 2022). Her son Keith, a 2001 graduate, and his wife, Coryee, also a district employee, have two children, Dylan (Class of 2024) and Blake (Class of 2029).
Since retiring, Yancey has enjoyed hunting, fishing, spending time with family, and continuing to support community activities. She also helps loved ones by taking them to appointments. She and her husband, Ronnie, enjoy watching Tarkington sports, especially those involving their family’s Longhorn athletes.
Reflecting on her time at Tarkington ISD, Yancey expressed gratitude for her colleagues and the students she served.
“I take great pride in my years as a Tarkington ISD employee and in working closely with my ‘Tarkington ISD family,’” Yancey said. “We were always a team that wanted the best for our students. We worked hard to get students to school, provide them with a quality education, keep buildings clean and safe, and ensure they had good meals and resources. I could not have done my job without my wonderful colleagues, many of whom worked alongside me for more than 15 years, including bus drivers, secretaries, mechanics, and custodians. I want to thank all of them for their lasting support and dedication.”
She gave special thanks to Ryan Holt, Bethany Senter, Laura Shew, Julia “Tappy” Sims, and Rodrick Washington.
One of Yancey’s fondest memories is her time with the Tarkington ISD American Cancer Society team, where secretaries, bus drivers, and custodians raised funds through annual garage sales.
“We raised a lot of money and had a lot of fun at the Relay for Life celebrations,” she said. “These are moments I will cherish forever.”
As she looks back on her career, Yancey remains grateful for the many students and families she has met along the way.
“I have been truly blessed to be part of Tarkington ISD and to continue being part of the Tarkington community,” she said. “More importantly, my family has always understood my love and devotion to Tarkington ISD and Tarkington Prairie. To all of my past coworkers, bus family, students, parents, and community members – thank you for the great memories, and Go Horns!”