When school begins Wednesday at Sweetwater High Wednesday, something won’t seem quite right.

Something or make that someone will be missing.

After nearly a half century at SHS, school secretary Cherry Oliver has retired.

Oliver has been an institution at the school since the fall of 1962 when she started as secretary just barely out of school herself.

“I’ve been through 10 principals,” she said on her last day at work Wednesday.

Oliver confirmed that number by counting the pictures in the hall by the office of the principals she served under.

She has seen a lot of changes in education during her years at SHS.

Oliver said her job has changed quite a bit.

In the old days, along with being a bookkeeper, she helped out with guidance and transcript duties.

There are people now dedicated specifically to do those jobs but still one thing remained the same.

If anybody had any questions about something at Sweetwater High, “Mrs. Oliver” was the person to see.

“She actually runs the school,” Principal David Watts said.

He was only half joking.

Watts and Vice Principal Rex Rhodes admit they will make more than a few phone calls in the next few weeks to Oliver to find out something about the school only she knew.

Oliver will miss the school but plans to do some traveling now that she is retired.

She and her late husband, Blaine, raised two daughters, Suzette and Missy.

She is now married to Lewis Lingerfelt.

tommy.millsaps@advocateand democrat.com | 337-7101