CLAY HILL – Hairstyles, fashion and music trends have come and gone during the past 30 years, but one thing remains the same – Dorothy White stepping into traffic to ensure Wilkinson Elementary and Junior High students arrive safely.

Short in stature but immense in fervor, White’s service as a crossing guard since 1993 has made her beloved by the community.

That service was recognized recently by Sheriff Michelle Cook, who approached White before the early morning bell rang and offered her a card, a pin and a hug on behalf of the community.

Rain or shine, White continues to be a sentry for “her kids” at the intersection of Freedom Drive and CR 218. She has overseen generations of children on their commute to and from school – some even became the parents of current students. She is steadfast and excited at the prospect of overseeing grandchildren, the next generation to safely “follow in their footsteps.” 

“I’ll be 75 (on Oct. 25),” she said. “I’m not quitting. I do this because I love the kids. I only get to see them for a short period of time, but they always make me smile.”

Children haven’t changed much in the past 30 years,” White said. Although, some groups have been better behaved than others.

“I’ve had some issues with some, but I tell them I’m here to take care of you. I’m here to protect you getting across the street,” she said. “Most of the time, they say, ‘Yes, ma’am.’”

She knows every child who steps into the intersection. She said this year’s group of students are incredibly “adorable.”

“I’ve got a set of triplets and some twins,” she said. “They’re all so wonderful. That’s why I love my job.”

The Wilkinson schools are in a rural area of the county, which sometimes entails crossing more than just school children.

“I crossed dogs and ducks,” she said. “I’ve had horses and donkeys, too.”

Her favorite memory was when a stray dog approached the crossing. A neighbor noticed the trotting animal and called the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, fearing it was vicious. By the time the deputy arrived, the dog had plopped down beside White – sitting, staying and wagging a tail as the children crossed the busy road. 

“There’s a woman who walks her dog in the afternoons, but that morning she walked alone,” White said. “She saw me with the stray dog. She offered to take it home if nobody claimed it. She still has that dog. His name is Murphy. When they visit, the dog runs up like he wants to hug me.”

As the county grows, so does traffic on CR 218. And with that comes distracted, indifferent drivers. White said close calls have become too common.

“We have problems just about every day,” she said. “Some of these people are parents that just won’t slow down. They’re dropping off their kid at the elementary or junior high. I get upset because they know it could be their child that I’m crossing here.”

One morning, a pickup truck sped through the school zone, and White raised her arm to shake her finger at the driver. He immediately slowed, rolled his window, stuck his head out, and yelled, “I’m sorry!”

White has tremendous love for “her kids.” That’s why the lockdowns from the COVID-19 pandemic took such an emotional toll. Classrooms transitioned online, so her job was put on hold. “I cried when that happened,” White said. The hardest part, she said, was not seeing her little friends or saying ‘Goodbye. Have a good summer.’ to the sixth graders who were moving on to high school.

“Those were the toughest days,” she said. “When we came back, I was the happiest person ever. I got to see a bunch of my kids, and I got to see new faces who were starting school. It was such a delight.”

Anyone driving west along CR 218 before or after school should look for White. Wave and she’ll wave back. Just watch your speed and pay attention because she plans to be there for a long time.