At 87, Beloved Crossing Guard Of Over 50 Years Bids Farewell To Students & Retires

Jun 23, 2023

When a person loves their job, they will do their best to exert the greatest efforts in order to stay in that field for as long as they can. However, there is a certain point in a human’s life when they need to retire and take care of themselves for the better.

This is what happened to Sandra Bellew, a crossing guard in Missouri’s Independence School District who dedicated her life to ensuring the safety of students for over five decades.

Bellew, popularly known to little children as Miss Sandy, officially hung her neon green vest in May 2023 as she finally retired from her job at the age of 87 years old.

In an interview with Good Morning America, the sweet elderly lady revealed that she began working as a crossing guard in September 1968.

Through the decades, she did her best to protect the kids from any danger while crossing the road. She had been working for so long to the point that she even helped the children and grandchildren of the students she once encountered during the early days of her career.

Even though her job didn't pay well, Bellew said she had fun doing it that’s why she enjoyed being a crossing guard.

Since she's already retired, the Missouri-based woman still wanted to remain active physically, and she shared her plans with the outlet.

Bellew noted that she wanted to go swimming and do water aerobics as well as physical exercise in order for her to keep herself and her legs strong so she could stay active.

The mother of seven initially said, "I was planning on going until I couldn't walk. However, she couldn’t go on forever due to her eyesight, and that was why it was time for her to say goodbye.

For her last day as a crossing guard, Bellew thought it was a normal day of her helping children cross the road for the last time. However, she was surprised to see students gather together with gifts and DIY posters to celebrate her retirement. There were even kids who became emotional as tears were seen running down their faces as they handed off their presents.  

In a news report by KMBC 9, a group of kids were seen holding a big red banner that read “Happy Retirement,” while other students gave her flowers, letters and big hugs.

"(The students) kept telling me how much they're going to miss me. And of course, I had several crying and it was just really healing in a way, knowing that they did care and they will miss me,” she told GMA.

In a separate interview with KMBC, Bellew admitted that it was hard for her to let go of the job she loved and embraced for the past 55 years.

"I don’t wanna quit, I didn't want to quit, but I got to quit. It hurts, but I'm happy," she said.

A student named Peighton, who went to Mill Creek Elementary School, shared her sentiments about Bellew’s retirement.

"Her leaving while we’re leaving is like harder because it's sad enough we’re leaving our school," she said. 

What do you think of the students surprising the local crossing guard who worked for over 50 years? Were your hearts touched too? Let us know your thoughts, and make sure to pass this on to your friends and family.