Wanda Gaines, left, embracing and congratulating Diane Bargeron on her retirement as the 39 year founder and director of the Tifton First United Methodist Church Preschool Program.

TIFTON — About 200 friends, students and former students, teachers and former teachers honored Diane Blanton Bargeron upon her retirement as the founder and director of the Tifton First United Methodist Church Preschool, ending a 39-year career as preschool director.

In March of 1978 Diane, a teacher by training, saw a need for her own child to have an opportunity to engage in creative, faith based play and learning. She enlisted the help of a neighbor and teacher, Eleanor Ragsdale, and together they started “Mothers’ Morning Out,” a one day a week, three hour play school in the Children’s Building and playground at First United Methodist Church.

The United Methodist Women under President Carol Ward advocated for this project, and it involved 10 children including Chuck Bargeron, Caribeth Ragsdale, Hank Henderson, Michael and Ryan Norman, Eddie Fresh, Chris Spearman, Emily Hall, Lindsey Bowyer, and Tiffany Forehand. The full time teachers were Sue Dorsett and W. B. Snow.

In September of 1978, the program added two more classes of with two additional teachers: Karen Young and Kathy Norman. The beginning charge was $2 per morning. Students included: Chuck Bargeron, Eddie Fresh, Michelle Robinson, Ryan, Elizabeth and Holly Brinson, Lindsey Bowyer, Michael Bender, Alec Dutcher, Charlie Dorminey, Allison Evans, Tiffany Forehand, Hardy Gordon, Lindsey Lang, Emily Hall, Carrie McCullough, Yvette and Kim Norlund, Michael and Ryan Norman, Ingrim Perry, Laura Rogers, Chuck Powell, Jake and Sam Smith, Curt Scott, Kate Simmons, Mark Wilson, Nelson Kunes, Chris Spearman, Sarah Gaines, Jessica King, Traver Smith, Caroline Trawick and Jonathan Hayes.

By 1980 it expanded to two days a week and by 1984, to three days a week. As the program grew, Diane, was responsible for the administrative duties associated with managing a growing staff, financial management, developing curriculum and planning activities that supported the individual growth of children as they mature physically, mentally, emotionally, socially, and spiritually.

By 1994 the program became a more structured educational program with 120 students. The name changed from Mother’s Morning Out to FUMC Preschool, and it was a five day a week program for children age 6 weeks to pre-K. The program offered a large summer program from 1978 to 1990 serving from 150-180 students per summer providing play, art, music and field trips.

Today some groups are served three days and some five days. With the addition of kindergarten to the public school system, the program now enrolls about 150 children, ages six weeks to four-years-old in about 10 classes.

Diane grew up in Tifton, the daughter of John and Doris Blanton. John was president of Tifton Savings and Loan Association, and Doris was an active member of FUMC and the United Methodist Women.

Diane and Tommy Bargeron married in 1973. Tommy is the son of Charles and Lillian Bargeron. Tommy is now market president of Ameris Bank as well as a very active member of FUMC.

Diane taught elementary school for several years before staying home to raise her and Tommy’s children, Chuck and Doug. Diane’s grand-children Riley, Charlie, and John Michael are among the second generation of children from the same family Diane has seen come through the program.

An estimated 3000 different Tifton students have been part of this program through these 39 years. The long list of former teachers includes Tiffany Forehand Anderson who was one of the original students and later was a teacher for many years. The current advisory board includes Katie Lodge, chair, Jana Brooks, Allison Fulwood, Kelly Golden, Teena Henderson and Amy Warren.

The Diane Bargeron Preschool Honorary Fund, which will be used in future years for tuition scholarships and special needs annually determined by the Preschool staff, was presented at the retirement celebration. Community members wishing to contribute can make tax free donations to FUMC, earmarked for this fund.

Registration is almost complete for the 2017-18 school year for 152 students and 22 teachers, when Lauren Fresh begins her tenure as director.

Lauren has special family ties to the program. Her husband Eddie, is one of the original students and her mother, Carolyn Bowen, is a former teacher.

Diane has agreed to work several hours per week as an assistant.