Legacy of 'Ms. Sandra, cafeteria lady extraordinaire' honored at Carter Elementary

Hayden Dunbar, Knoxville News Sentinel

A retired nutrition staff member at Carter Elementary is best known for having served students lunches with love.

Longtime Knoxville resident Sandra Naill Holbert served Knox County Schools for 36 years, 26 of them as a food service worker. Holbert retired from her position at Carter Elementary at the end of 2023.

It was more than a job.

"I love those children," she said to Knox News.

Holbert particularly enjoyed serving breakfast, including when students were arriving late. "It's not their fault," she said. "They don't drive." She wanted to greet them with warmth and ensure their days began with a smile and a meal, no matter when they arrived.

Sandra Holbert, better known as "Ms. Sandra" before her retirement from Knox County Schools food service, stands in the Carter Elementary School cafeteria, which is being named in her honor.
Sandra Holbert, better known as "Ms. Sandra" before her retirement from Knox County Schools food service, stands in the Carter Elementary School cafeteria, which is being named in her honor.

Even after her retirement, it's clear that Holbert is revered by students, alumni, parents and KCS staff for her kindness and compassion.

Holbert's daughters contacted Carter Elementary's Cafeteria Manager Amanda Brown to ask about an opportunity to preserve their mother's legacy by naming the Carter Elementary cafeteria in her honor. As the idea took shape, the school community rallied behind it.

"Sandra Holbert has been and continues to be a pillar in this community. She leads by examples with her contagious laughter, fantastic smile, kind heart and the most amazing amount of love and compassion for children," Glenda Stout wrote in a letter to Knox County Schools in support of the honor. "She has worn many hats while working for Knox County: bus driver, teaching assistant, but the one that she is most lovingly known by is ‘Ms. Sandra, cafeteria lady extraordinaire.’"

Holbert was also defined by her generosity. "Ms. Sandra personally purchased lunches over the years for kids who couldn’t afford to eat in such a humble way that made students feel loved," Carter High School Academy Coach Kacy Helton wrote in her nomination letter.

At the Knox County Board of Education meeting April 4, Brown, along with Carter Elementary Principal Emily Jellicorse and Assistant Principal Stephanie Jones, spoke about Holbert's impact on the community.

A decades-long veteran of the Knox County Schools food services department, Sandra Holbert retired from Carter Elementary School at the end of last year.
A decades-long veteran of the Knox County Schools food services department, Sandra Holbert retired from Carter Elementary School at the end of last year.

"She has fed hundreds of thousands of hungry children of many generations of our community, and her life has touched many students, including those who have graduated, started their own families and remember Ms. Sandra when they attend school functions with their children," Brown said, becoming increasingly choked up as she spoke.

"Ms. Sandra is more than a lunch lady. To the Carter community, she is a well-known hero."

The board voted unanimously. The renaming will be celebrated in a May 6 ceremony.

Hayden Dunbar is the storyteller reporter. Email hayden.dunbar@knoxnews.com.

Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: KCS and Carter Elementary honor legacy of 'hero' food service staffer

Advertisement