The North Carolina Association of Educational Office Professionals District One spring meeting included a tea party at White Oak Manor to honor Lula Burrell for her 65 years of service to the organization.

Tricia Mabe, NCAEOP president, spoke of Burrell’s history, then presented her with flowers during the spring meeting on Tuesday, April 26.

Born in 1920 as one of 11 children, while in high school Burrell was a member of the National Youth Association, which was part of Roosevelt’s recovery plan. Burrell worked for the Tryon City School superintendent for 20 cents per day while in school and upon graduating high school as salutatorian, she became the superintendent’s secretary. Burrell also worked at the same time on weekends at the Ballinger Company, which was a dry goods, clothes and shoe store, Mabe said.

Burrell worked for Tryon Schools 20 years then 30 years for Henderson County Schools. She retired in 1992, Mabe said.

Burrell was one of the charter members of NCAEOP in 1951.

“For 65 years, Lula has faithfully served in many capacities and maintained her membership through all these years,” Mabe said. “She was NCAEOP state president in 1957-58 and proudly represented the western district with style and class.”

In 1957-58, Burrell represented North Carolina as state president at the national conference, Mabe said.

“I love the description given of her standing beside our state flag adorned in her new wide-brimmed, picture hat and gloves,” Mabe said. “Her southern drawl was, and still is, a real charmer.”

Burell has been recognized as EOP of the year and she held a variety of offices at different levels over the years. There is also a scholarship at the state level named in Burrell’s honor.

“Her contributions to our organization have inspired many and made a difference in the lives of her fellow EOPs and recipients of the Lula Burrell Scholarship,” Mabe said. “Lula has served NCAEOP not only with integrity, service and skill but also with dedication and a commitment of her time. She has attended 63 of the past 65 NCAEOP spring conferences. It’s only in the past few years that her health has prevented her from attending. And she is dearly missed when she’s not at conference.”

Mabe also said it is through the hard work of those before them that they are able to continue with the NCAEOP organization.

“So we thank her for being a leader, for blazing the trail that we follow, for teaching us by example the traits of a true southern lady and for being the kind and gracious lady that we dearly love,” Mabe said.

With all attendees dressed in spring hats in Burrell’s honor, Mabe presented Burrell with flowers in Burrell’s honor, and then had tea with refreshments. Burrell read a poem that she has shared over the years with various NCAEOP groups over the years, called “The Bridge Builder,” by Will Allen Dromgoole.