Like Moses who lead the Israelites to the promised land, but didn’t enter himself, a longtime director who helped Spaulding Family Resource Center return to its original site won’t be returning with them.

Savonia Leonard Richardson, employed at the center for 18 years, has retired.

With an open house set for next month, Spaulding is celebrating Richardson’s service and welcoming a new director and board member.

The open house is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. July 13.

Richardson began her tenure with the center under the auspices of Communities in Schools of the Rocky Mount Region.

One month after its incorporation on Aug. 8, 2009, the center’s board of directors met with the directors of CiS and unanimously voted to employ Richardson as the center’s program manager, effective Jan. 1, 2010.

Four and a half years later, on April 16, 2014, Richardson was appointed as the center’s interim director, a position made permanent on Aug. 13, 2014.

As Spaulding’s director, Richardson coordinated partnerships with several area agencies to provide a plethora of family activities, programs and outreach events.

Spaulding President John Perry said farewell to Richardson.

“Savonia, as president of the Spaulding Family Resource Center, it has been a pleasure working with you side by side, in good and bad situations, but we completed that task at hand,” Perry said. “I personally will miss you, but remember, I know where you live. Enjoy your retirement and save me a seat. May God bless you, and thank you for your service to the Spaulding Family Resource Center.”

A day of appreciation to honor Richardson will be scheduled after her special vacation getaway, Perry said.

NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Jacquelyn “Jackie” Mills said she’s excited to be joining Spaulding. She looks forward to bringing more than 20 years of administrative, leadership, organizational skills and the ability to be adaptive to Spaulding and the community.

The board hired Mills a few weeks ago to serve as program director, but after a Monday meeting with state Rep. James Gailliard, who said he needed a director in place for planning purposes, Mills received a quick promotion, said Carolyn H. Avent, treasurer for the board.

Mills was raised in Spring Hope and attended Spring Hope Elementary, Spaulding Middle School, Southern Nash Junior and Southern Nash Senior high schools. She graduated in 1983 and furthered her Education at Louisburg College. Her parents are Garfield and Maudell Mills.

“I will ensure community programs are diverse and fit various individual needs,” Mills said. “I would like to thank Mr. John Perry, president, and the board of directors of Spaulding Family Resource Center for this opportunity. I look forward to serving SFRC on the school campus that paved my middle school education.”

Perry said he welcomes Mills aboard. 

“I’m sure you are ready for the challenge,” Perry said.

NEW BOARD MEMBER

Joseph Taybron joined Spaulding’s board of directors in May.

Taybron is a retired manager at Farmer Home Furniture Store in Scotland Neck. He worked there for 17 years preceded by 27 years at Heilig-Meyers in Spring Hope. Taybron is a 1969 graduate of Spaulding High School. He’s married to Dorothy Strickland Taybron and is a deacon at Red Oak Grove Baptist Church in Stanhope.

“I am happy to be working with you guys,” Taybron told the board when he joined.

Perry said he was glad to have Taybron.

“You being a Spaulding graduate, I am honored to have you to become a member of this organization and look forward to working with you to fulfill our vision,” Perry said.

The Spaulding Family Resource Center is located at 600 South Pine Street in Spring Hope. For more information call 252-478-5705. The center’s website is spauldingfamilyresourcecenter.org.