Crossing Guard Granny
Crossing Guard Granny
Waving her stop sign overhead, Leona Kennedy strides across four lanes of traffic and secures a path for students headed to Stapleton Elementary School.Whereve you been, Dalton? Youre late for school, honey, says Kennedy, whos been shepherding children across Hearnes Boulevard in Joplin, Mo., (pop. 45,504) for 47 years.
Kennedy, 82, grabs the 9-year-old boys hand and hurries him across the busy street to the schools front door. She hugs him and assures him that hes not that late. Bless his heart, she says.
Over the decades, Kennedy, who lives one block from the school, has watched the neighborhood change. She witnessed construction of the present school building, watched as two lanes of traffic became four, and recalls when the traffic light was installed. Shes outlasted seven principals and now mother hens a second generation across the street.
Shes like everybodys grandmother, Principal Marilyn Alley says. She knows where everyone goes, she knows their families, and shes so concerned and caring. She comes to all the school functions.
Like most grandmothers, Kennedy remembers birthdayshundreds of them through the yearsand gives a dollar to each birthday boy or girl.
Oh mercy, mercy, I just love these little kids, Kennedy says. They keep me going. I get up, take my shower and drink my coffee, and know I need to get down here.
Kennedy took the job in 1956 so she could guarantee the safe crossing of her own two children, Wally and Sandy. At the time, the position paid $1 an hour and required a uniform consisting of a white blouse, tie, navy skirt, and police cap.
Nowadays, the petite grandmother wears a bright orange patrol vest atop casual clothes, and except on Halloween maybewhen she dresses up as a hobo, a hound, or the Pink Panthershe continues to take her work seriously.
Shes really nice, says Drew Douthitt, 11. She knows what activities were all interested in. She asks me, Hows school going? Hows sports going?
Kennedy often lingers after the school bell to catch any stragglers. Once she waited while a student retrieved a show-and-tell project.
Little ol Mike Ernest was coming across the street and suddenly stopped. He said, Oh, Ive got to go back home now. I forgot Mamas gallstones.
For 12 years, Veda Boyd Jones placed her three boys under Kennedys wing. She takes seriously the responsibility of keeping those kids safe, and they know it, and they do what she says, Jones says. She makes every child feel special.
Former Stapleton students know exactly where to find Kennedy at 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.
One day one stopped and said, Mrs. Kennedy, you dont remember me, do you? I just wanted to let you know that Im getting married in the morning.
I said, Eddie Welch, I do remember you, but youve lost some of your freckles, Leona says and laughs. Oh, they grow up too fast. Theyll stop down there and show me their new babies.
While most of her work is in full view with a whistle round her neck, other deeds are behind-the-scenes. Kennedy rounds up coats for kids. If a parent is in the hospital, she visits. She shares information on whos a reliable babysitter and who has a decent house for rent in the neighborhood.
When praised for her good deeds, she seems surprised.
Thats just what youre supposed to do in life, honey, she says, is be good to people.
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