Pickett Remembers Sondra Johnson

Pickett County Schools mourning the loss of twenty-year employee Sondra Johnson during a service Monday.

Director of Schools Diane Elder said Johnson held many positions during her time in the district ending as the secretary of Pickett K-8. Elder said Johnson was referred to by many as the glue that held the school together.

“Sondra had a unique personality,” Elder said. “She was always kind. It didn’t matter how mad someone was when they came in at the office, she was the one that would deflate them and put them in a good mood when they walked out.”

All schools in the district closed on Monday so everyone would be free to attend Johnson’s funeral service. Elder said the funeral service was held Monday at 2:00pm at Pickett K8 school at the request of Johnson’s family.

“They knew that the funeral home probably wouldn’t hold the mass number of people that would be attending,” Elder said.

Elder said Johnson did many different things at the school including taking attendance, allowing people into the building, and spreading positivity to everyone she saw.

“She was so loving and caring,” Elder said. “She loved everyone. She never met a stranger and you always walked away as her friend. We will miss her.”

Elder said the loss is especially difficult after the recent passing of Rex Tompkins, a former Byrdstown alderman and custodian at Pickett County High School who was also deeply involved in the community.

“We’d just like to ask everyone to remember the family and the school system in their prayers and we appreciate them praying for us,” Elder said.

Johnson died Thursday.