Forty years is a long time to be in one line of work, much less with the same company.

But for Joe Manigault it was a lifetime career choice that has many sad to see it come to an end.

   Manigault has been a member of the Charleston County School District’s day porter  crew for over 40 years and officially retired last week from James B. Edwards Elementary School where he worked since the school’s opening 19 years ago.

   Manigault was not just an employee at this school.

   He is a close friend of Principal Tom Lee and has been a father figure to thousands of children who pass through the halls each year.

   He is a favorite among the teachers and the staff, many of whom had tears in their eyes as they hugged him goodbye last Friday.

   But the school did more than offer hugs and kisses.

   James B. Edwards honored Manigault by naming the cafeteria after him, calling it the Joe Manigault Cafeteria.

   He is a humble man, taking all the attention in stride. However, he confessed when he was asked to come to the school on Friday (Thursday was his official last day) he was very nervous.

   “They tricked me into coming, telling me I needed to be here for some other reason. But I was really nervous, not knowing what was really going on,” Manigault said.

   Wide eyed and grinning, Manigault said he’s going to miss the kids and teachers the most.

“Everyone has been so nice to me. Everyone here has just been so good,” he said.

   Manigault said he’d be back to visit, too.

   “Oh, I’ve got to come back and visit. I’ll always be by to say hello.”

   Manigault has worked in the seafood business all his life, fishing the Lowcountry waters for commercial sale.

   Over 40 years ago his brother Herman Manigault was working for the local schools in the handling maintenance for their various facilities and encouraged Joe to get a job — and he did, starting his career out at what was Laing  School. He handled a little bit of everything from fixing furniture to changing light bulbs.

   He eventually was transferred to Moultrie Middle School and then to James B. Edwards when it opened up.

   And every morning since then he’s been up at the crack of dawn, welcoming the students into their safe functioning school. His day at the school always ended at 2:30 p.m., but that didn’t mean the workday was over. It was straight down to the seafood docks to work until sunset.

   “Waking up at 5 a.m. every morning will wear you out some, too now,” he said.

   So he decided the time was right to move on.

   Other than Manigault not being at the school everyday, not much will change in regards to his relationships with his JBE family.

   For example, he said, “Tom (Lee)  is like a brother. We fish, we hunt, hell, we grew up together in a lot of ways. He’s one of the best boss man I’ve ever known. He’s a good fellow and I just appreciate everything he’s done for me.”

   Lee describes Manigault as one of the most hard working honest people he’s ever known. “His word is his bond. If he tells you something, consider it done,” Lee said. “I am really going to miss that man.”

 (Sully Witte can be reached at editor@islandpapers.com)

Title:


Comment:


Your Name: (optional - shown on website)

Enter text seen above:

---