Wednesday, May 16, 2001
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Wednesday, May 16, 2001 |
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Garden dedicated to friend and bus driver A living memorial to a long-time friend to Kedron Elementary School will serve as a permanent reminder of the many lives one individual touched through the warmth and kindness he showed to all who knew him. Joseph Wilson, a bus driver for Kedron since 1995, passed away suddenly in October. His passing had an enormous effect on many students and parents. "Mr. Wilson meant a lot to all of us. He always had a pleasant smile and friendly words for everyone. We really miss his kindness," said Jeanie Miller, principal of Kedron Elementary School. In order to help keep Wilson's memory alive, the students who rode his bus and their parents decided to create a garden outside of the school in his honor. With Wilson's family, friends and fellow bus drivers present, Miller and PTO President Pat Cook recently dedicated the garden in his memory, which is situated in front of the bus boarding area at the school. During the ceremony, student Jasmine Austin presented his wife, Alice, with the school's 2001 annual, which had been signed by all of the students who had ridden his bus and dedicated to his memory as well. "This is a beautiful tribute to my husband. I truly appreciate everything the school has done to help us through this difficult time," said Wilson's widow. In the garden there is a concrete bench where students can wait for the bus and always be reminded of the friend who touched their lives with his warm smile and kind words. A stepping stone with a bus on it will soon be added in front of the bench as another tribute to Wilson's legacy. As the ceremony ended, Miller raised her hand to her forehead to give a final salute to Wilson. "Mr. Wilson and I always saluted each other at the end of the day as he left to go make his rounds. This is for you Mr. Wilson," said Miller as she closed the dedication. Wilson had been a bus driver for the Fayette County School System for nine years. Before serving Kedron, Wilson had driven buses for Booth Middle and McIntosh High schools.
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