Texas School Renamed for Long-Serving Custodian
Marilyn Hampton honored with her namesake elementary school after 39 years of service to the Aubrey Independent School District.
A retiring Texas school custodian was overcome with emotion after the Aubrey Independent School District announced that a new elementary school will be named in her honor. Marilyn Hampton, who dedicated 39 years of service to the district, learned of the surprise honor during a school board meeting on Wednesday.
The district's board of trustees revealed that "Elementary School Number Five," set to open next August, will officially be known as Marilyn Hampton Elementary School.
Superintendent Shannon Saylor described Hampton as an integral part of the district, stating, "She may not have the official title of an educator, but she was in every meaningful sense a teacher and an educator at heart." Saylor noted that Hampton often went above and beyond her custodial duties, at times purchasing and delivering school supplies and assisting students with their studies.
During the board meeting, Hampton was asked to roll out a red carpet, a task similar to those she performed throughout her tenure. As she unfurled the carpet, she discovered it bore the name "Marilyn Hampton Elementary School." Overwhelmed, Hampton expressed her gratitude, saying, "You’re too good. I wasn’t expecting this. Thank y’all. I can’t speak."
Hampton, who is one of eight siblings and the only one in her family to graduate high school, reflected on her career. She initially felt like a failure for not pursuing higher education but came to embrace her path, realizing, "God put you where you are supposed to be." She added, "And I’m very happy with the way things turned out."
Saylor further emphasized Hampton's lasting impact, declaring her "truly Aubrey ISD" and stating that she left a legacy of kindness, hard work, and perseverance.
Hampton now volunteers at the district's Early Bird Learning Center, where she spends time with young children.
"Can you believe it? I can’t. I cannot. All I can say is God is good,” Hampton remarked about the honor, receiving a T-shirt emblazoned with the new school's name to commemorate the occasion.