For the past 16 years in her role as the executive director of the Petal Education Foundation, Leahne Lightsey has worked tirelessly with multiple organizations to pave the way for the growth of education throughout the Petal School District’s five campuses and beyond, including at district facilities such as the Coleman Center for Families and Children.
So it was only fitting that during a an August 17 retirement reception at Petal-Harvey Baptist Church, Lightsey was surrounded by all the people she’s had an impact on during that time – including former and past district employees, family and friends. She will officially retire from her position on August 31 and will be succeeded by Christy Hinnant.
“It’s hard to even know what to say,” Lightsey told the crowd. “I am just overwhelmed that you took an afternoon to make me feel as special as any human being could ever feel.
“It has been an absolute pleasure. It has really been more fun for me than work. God has blessed me with relationships. Thank you for loving me, and I love you dearly, and you have outdone yourself.”
During the reception, Lightsey was presented with a Top Panther award, as well as a wagon filled with various gift items and a poem specially written for the occasion by district superintendent Matt Dillon.
Lightsey also will be honored at halftime of an upcoming Petal Panthers football game.
“She’s somebody that is a servant/leader,” Dillon said. “Everything she does is for people, and I can’t speak enough about that and how she’s grown our education foundation.
“Everything she does, she’s a winner, and I just think she’s made our district better. Any time you go to an organization, the goal is to make it better than what you found it, and (she’s) done that, and our district is the beneficiary of all the things (she’s) done to make our district so special.”
Lightsey graduated from Quitman High School and attended Meridian Junior College upon graduation. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree and a Master’s of Science degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, with continuing education from The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.
In 1981, she began a career at Jones County Junior College (now Jones College) as the child development instructor/lab school director. In 1992, she moved to Petal so her five-year-old could begin kindergarten in the Petal School District.
In 2006, she retired from Jones County Junior College and took over as executive director of the Petal Education Foundation the next year.
Lightsey’s memberships and volunteer work are almost too numerous to list, but include serving as board member of the Greater Pine Belt Foundation, member of the Petal Downtown Revitalization Committee, a former board member of the United Way of Southeast Mississippi, the co-initiator of the City of Petal’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library Program, a 17-year member of the Cosmopolitan Club of Petal, former chairperson of the Petal Excel By 5 Coalition and board member of the Petal Area Chamber of Commerce.
“It would take too long to tell you all the things that she’s done through Excel By 5,” said Nadine Coleman, Excel By 5 member and the namesake of the Coleman Center. “So let me just say, Excel By 5 is forever grateful for Leahne Lightsey.”
Lightsey is particularly proud that she has been able to maintain her goal of five new scholarships per year through the education foundation. There’s also the Petal High School Ambassador Program, which she instituted along with Valerie Wilson and Gary Graves.
That program is made up of high school juniors and seniors who participate in community service projects and promote the school district to visitors, business partners and alumni.
“We can develop some leadership skills with these students, and I’ve really gotten to know them very well over the years.
“I love that – I love having relationships with these great juniors and seniors.”
When Lightsey became a board member of the education foundation in 2003, that organization had $110,000, which consisted of a scholarship from football coach Ray Perkins, funds from Cisco Systems and a few other donations. Today, that figure is $1.1 million.
“The new director, Christy Hinnant, will take this figure and soar with it; she is so very capable and will go above and beyond,” Lightsey said. “It’s not just me who has grown the Petal Education Foundation.
“A huge host of dedicated board members, friends, volunteers, and each superintendent I have served with throughout the years have joined forces to take the foundation to where it is now.”
Lightsey’s awards and special recognitions include Distinguished Alumna from Family Life Studies-University of Southern Mississippi, Parent Volunteer of the Year from the Petal School District, the Bobby Runnels Leadership Award and Volunteer of the Year from Petal Relay for Life.
In addition, a scholarship has been established in Lightsey's name. Anyone interested in contributing to that effort can mail a check to the Petal Education Foundation at P.O. Box 948, Petal, MS, 39465.
“Leahne is a go-getter; anything you tell her to do, she is non-stop, and you don’t have to tell her again because she’s going to get it,” Dillon said. “I think about everything she’s done, from (putting together) activities and the events, to the foundation side to the Cosmopolitan Club side, and she does such an amazing job.
“Also, her work ethic is second to none. She’s up early in the morning, late at night. Some days you won’t even see in the evenings that she’s doing things and planning events.”
In retirement, Lightsey plans to spend more time with her grandchildren, but will still be very involved in the school district and the community.
“I still do all I can do with the Cosmopolitan Club and my church activities, and I actually have gone through training to be a substitute teacher,” she said. “And I’m still part of Excel By 5, so I will still participate. Those things are dear to my heart.”
