Co-workers, patrons honor retiring Kempner postmaster

PHOTO BY JIM LOWE Retiring Kempner Postmaster Penne Reagey receives a plaque of appreciation from former Justice of the Peace Walter L. Prugh, right, and a certificate from Kempner Mayor Gene Isenhour during a going-away party at Kempner post office.

Longtime Kempner postmaster Penne Reagey recently was honored with a going-away party and an awards presentation.

Ms. Reagey retired after heading the Kempner post office for the past 15 years. Previous to that, she served as a postmaster in Massachusetts for a number of years.

As Ms. Reagey's co-workers and postal patrons looked on, former Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Walter L. Prugh presented her with a plaque of appreciation for her many years of service to Kempner and eastern Lampasas County.

"She is an outstanding person," Prugh said of Ms. Reagey.

Kempner Mayor Gene Isenhour read from a certificate from the citizens of Kempner. He said Ms. Reagey was well-liked and appreciated by her customers, as well as her associates at the Kempner facility.

"Her smile has rubbed off on the staff," the Kempner mayor said.

Tears welling up in her eyes, Ms. Reagey said: "I truly have the best people I know of anywhere. I'm going to miss everybody.

"The post office is so important to the community. This has been a job, but it's also been a love."

Nevertheless, she said, "It's time for somebody else to come in."

In her brief comments, she said she was particularly gratified to have been associated with the Kempner postal facility during a major event in the life of the community: its incorporation.

Ms. Reagey was praised for being a good leader because she was a good worker.

Said one of her co-workers: "Thank you, Miss Penne, for being you."