From left, Josh Moore, holding his daughter, Julie, and nephew, Sam Stewart, Laura Moore, Ronnie Moore, Melanie Moore Stewart, Luke and Jeremiah Stewart were all on hand to celebrate with their dad and granddad at his retirement celebration.| Randy Garrison

Ronnie Moore is retiring after spending more than 40 years in education. The last 20 years of his career has been serving as principal of Sparkman Elementary School.

To mark the end of his long career the staff at Sparkman paid tribute to their principal and friend with a celebration complete with food, fun and fellowship, Fri., May 22.

The staff prepared food, decorated tables and even put together a video presentation of Moore’s life and career.

Moore is a 1968 graduate of Morgan County High School, now Hartselle High. He earned his undergraduate degree at UAH and his masters at UAB.

He began his career with Morgan County Schools driving a Title 1 van for the central office while he was in college.

Moore taught fourth and fifth grade at Eva as his first teaching job. He then moved to Sparkman as a teacher and later served at Cotaco School for eight years. However, the majority of his time has been spent at Sparkman.

Moore’s children, daughters Melanie Stewart and Laura Moore and son Josh, along with his three grandsons and one granddaughter joined in the celebration. Other family members, friends, staff and Morgan County Board of Education Superintendent, Bill Hopkins Jr., were on hand to enjoy the festivities.

Moore thanked the staff and his friends and family for the support they have given him over the years.

MCS Superintendent Bill Hopkins Jr., right, congratulates Ronnie Moore on his retirement from Sparkman Elementary School Friday.| Randy Garrison