By Dr. Keith Shafer
It was the last week of June in 2003 when I found myself, for the first time, working in a school district outside of my hometown of Clarksdale in Coahoma County. As was my custom, I attempted to be the first one at the office and usually the last to leave. On my first day at South Panola School District, I unlocked the door to discover I was not the first.
The coffee was already made and work had begun in the office of the Director of Federal Programs, Dr. Dolores W. Barnett. She was pecking away at her keyboard taking care of business. I did not know then what I know now. “Dr. B,” as we affectionately called her, was the constant who served a string of superintendents in various capacities for more than 50 years. She jokingly would say she trained a bunch of superintendents in her time. The likes of Dr. David Cole, Dr. Tommy Wren, Dr. C.L. Stevenson, myself, and Tim Wilder would probably all agree.
Her office was the morning meeting place where she served as my confidant, counselor, sounding board, and advisor. Since my retirement at the end of 2012, I still have the occasional morning coffee and discussion of life meeting there in her office. It is amazing what a good cup of coffee and the wisdom of a septuagenarian/ octogenarian can do for your day, your life, and your career.  
Dr. Dolores Barnett was an English/language teacher who diligently worked her way through the ranks of education to finish her career as the Director of Federal Programs for the South Panola School District. Dr. B managed a school-wide Title 1 district to efficiently and effectively use over a million dollar budget each year to support and supplement the efforts of the district.
She was instrumental in working with administrators to seek out innovative ways to meet the needs of struggling students.  Dr. Barnett also became the go-to person for superintendents looking for someone to tackle other projects that came on the horizon over the years.  She took on each task and finished each with excellence.  As an adjunct professor for the University of Mississippi, Dr. B. taught classes on the main campus, at Booneville, and at the Desoto Center until 2012.  Dr. Barnett became the champion of young school leaders who decided to seek a terminal degree from various universities.  She willingly worked with a number of them by investing her time in reading and reviewing dissertation drafts.  She was not shy about using the red ink to help each candidate complete the task to be called “Doctor.”
Over the years Dr. Barnett served in leadership positions not only at South Panola, but also on the state and regional level.  Dr. Barnett served on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Association of Federal Education Program Directors (MAFEPD) for several terms.  Dr. Barnett served on numerous advisory councils for state and regional educational leaders.  She regularly served as an External Review Team Member for schools and systems in MS and other states through AdvancED—Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).  AdvancED honored Dr. B as the Excellence in Education recipient for 2013.  More important to Dr. B than any accolades she received was the respect and love she felt from her school family.  She will be missed immensely!
Today, as I received news that Dr. B. had started the day with her Heavenly Father, I felt compelled to go by the district office to check on my former colleagues, have a good cup of coffee, and a good cry!  Unfortunately Dr. B was not there to edit, correct, and critique this commentary!  
“Well done my good and faithful servant,” Matthew 25:21