SILVERTON — After more than 24 years of getting kids safely across the street for school, Juanita Lynem has officially crossed Oak Avenue and Plainfield Road for the last time.

        She has retired from her post as a school crossing guard here.

        Mrs. Lynem, 68, said her final farewells to her students when classes ended for the year on Friday.

        Mrs. Lynem never expected to have such an enduring career. She applied for the job in 1977 after learning of an open position through a casual conversation with the crossing guard who stood on her corner.

        “This was the furthest thing from my mind,” Mrs. Lynem said. “I was just making small talk” and heard of the job.

        Mrs. Lynem turned out to be an unusually caring cross ing guard.

        “One Christmas, I wore a red snowsuit and a mother made me a Santa Claus hat, and I dressed up as a Santa Lady. The drugstore donated candy canes and I passed them out to all the children,” she said.

        Not only did her holiday attire set her apart from other crossing guards, Mrs. Lynem truly cared about the children.

        If a child was late, she would walk him into school. If a child was cold, she would lend a coat or a pair of gloves.

        She also encouraged the children to study and make something of their lives.

        Randy Walton, an area real estate developer, was in second grade when Mrs. Lynem greeted him on the corner for the first time. She became one of the most influential figures throughout his life, and he attributes his success to Mrs. Lynem's roadside guidance.

        “She was a great lady,” Mr. Walton, 31, said. “She made me responsible for me and made me understand that I had a purpose in life. I thank her for that.”

        Mrs. Lynem plans to spend more time volunteering at Greater Liberty Baptist Church, where she participates in prison and marriage counseling, in addition to running a seniors group called Satisfied Seniors.

Solitary senior leaves $291,000 for others
Cincinnati early fighter against AIDS
Dismal days dampening summer fun
Twins, mom die in 3-vehicle crash
Girls released in poisoning case
Main Street still feels April riots
Still no decision on Sabin Center
Two men shot in Covington
Another coal plant favored
Canal tunnel gets new life
Protesters break downtown camp
Accident victim dies in hospital
Alcohol will cost students 60 hours
GOP candidate Wiley speaks mind
Kentucky Digest
Local Digest
Middle school considers uniforms
Newport ready for civil unrest
Congrats
Crossing guard retires after 24 years
Foes want road put to vote
Meningitis overshadows graduation
Authorities justify shooting man
Cleveland firm sued over beryllium supplied for A-bombs
Lawyers seek more time for appealing Scott's death case
Patton's suit challenges assembly's review stance
Proposal offers dibs on schools
School Notes
Schools take on job of teaching values, morals
Students boost SUV gas mileage
Suspect arraigned in shooting death