Longtime Redwood Elementary cafeteria manager Darlene Birdsong retiring after decades of service

REDWOOD, Miss. (VDN) — After nearly four decades with the Vicksburg-Warren School District, longtime Redwood Elementary cafeteria manager Darlene Birdsong is retiring. Her final day will be next Friday, marking the end of the school year and a remarkable career.

Birdsong began her journey with the district in the early 1980s as a bus driver. In 1989, she transitioned to working in the cafeteria, and by 1999, she had become the cafeteria manager at Redwood Elementary.

“My responsibilities were making sure food was ordered, keeping the kids fed, and managing the books,” Birdsong said.

Over the years, she worked under numerous principals, including Butch Newman, Randy Broome, Katrina McCann (at Bovina), Buddy Wooten, and Mr. Grogan (at Beechwood). She fondly recalls special moments, such as Farm Day and the time she spotted an alligator near the school during a flood.

While she has countless memories from her time at Redwood, Birdsong says she will miss the students most of all.

“I love my kids here,” she said. “I can walk into Warren Central right now and hear any kid who went to Redwood call out, ‘Hey Memaw!’”

Birdsong’s connection to Redwood runs deep—her parents, children, grandchildren, and even she herself all attended the school.

Although she dedicated years of hard work to her role as cafeteria manager, Birdsong credits her team for making the job enjoyable.

“I couldn’t have done what I do without my employees. They’re more like family than anything else,” she said. “I’ve had a lot of great employees and haven’t had a bad one yet. Gail Kavanough was the Child Nutritionist when I got here, and she made me who I am today.”

Birdsong’s career saw her rise from sweeping floors to vegetable cook, then head cook, and finally to cafeteria manager. Her warmth and dedication will be deeply missed by the students and staff of Redwood Elementary.