An 87-Year-Old Crossing Guard Retires After 55 Years; Local Children Repaid Her With a Tender Surprise

87-year-old Sandra Bellew worked for nearly 55 years as a crossing guard for Missouri’s Independence School District, ensuring children’s safety. Now, after half a century of helping multiple generations cross the road safely, she is retiring, and she received a loving goodbye from students who were sad to see her go.

Sandra first began to work as a crossing guard in 1968, and although she did not earn a lot of money in the position, she enjoyed it immensely. She has worked there for so long that she has helped the grandchildren of former students cross the road as well. Sandra even said that she had been “planning on going until I couldn’t walk.”

In honor of her retirement and service towards the many generations of children, students gave her a sweet farewell. The children made a hand-drawn sign for Sandra that said: “Happy Retirement!” and “We will miss you, Ms. Sandra.” Many children wrote personal messages for Sandra on the sign, accompanied by flowers and hugs.

“(The students) kept telling me how much they’re going to miss me,” said Sandra. “And of course, I had several crying, and it was just really healing in a way, knowing that they did care, and they will miss me.”

In a video posted of the sweet exchange, Sandra can be heard telling a student, “I’m going to miss you,” to which the student replied, “I’m going to miss you too.”

After retirement, Sandra plans on keeping herself busy. “I’m planning on just going swimming and doing water aerobics and exercise and try to keep myself strong and keep my legs strong, so I can stay going,” said Sandra. Regarding her farewell, she felt extremely grateful, saying, “It was a happy feeling, and they all had such smiles on their faces.”

Some people’s dedication to their jobs can be awe-inspiring, such as this story of a school bus driver who started braiding the hair of a student who lost her mom at a very young age.