North Tattnall Middle School (NTMS) will miss one very special teacher, the late Tina Randall, this school year. Randall died on July 6, 2022, at Community Hospice House in Vidalia, after a sudden illness. 

Randall taught at NTMS for four years, most recently teaching seventh grade English Language Arts and seventh grade social studies. She previously taught at Montgomery County Middle School, Collins Elementary School, and Collins Middle School. 

NTMS Principal Donny Sikes and his staff will miss Randall’s upbeat and uplifting personality. Most of all, Sikes remembers her love for her students, and, of course, her love for leopard print.

“Mrs. Randall will be greatly missed,” Sikes said. “She was great to everyone. She was a consummate professional and always checked in with me to make sure I thought she was doing a good job, and, of course, she always was.  She is famous for giving kids chance after chance and always started each day with students as a “clean slate.”  Her teaching came from a place of love, and it was evident in her interactions with everyone.”

Sikes commends the pastors and church members who gave an amazing word at her “Celebration of Life.” Randall used one of her Bibles so much that pages were falling out of it. The pastor read several verses that Randall had underlined in her “falling apart” Bible. 

Randall was Marcy Stewart’s classroom neighbor at NTMS. She had the joy of working with Randall since Collins Middle School and Reidsville Middle School combined in the Fall of 2018.

“Our relationship started off as coworkers that lead to friendship, then turned into family,” Stewart said. “She helped me celebrate many milestones in my life, including the birth of my two children. We had spent so many school days together being in and out of each other’s classrooms that we got to the point where she could instantly know if I was having a hard day. She would come over to my classroom and check on me numerous times to see how I was adapting to being a new mother of two and balancing work. She was a mother and teacher from whom I could always seek advice.”

Stewart remembers Randall’s joyful presence. She was often seen dancing in her classroom and in the hallway to her favorite Disney song, “Let it Go.” Her impact on students was extraordinary, according to Stewart. 

“Students in her classroom always felt loved and safe. She had pictures of all her students on her wall. Students would come back to see Tina many years after leaving her class to catch her up on how they were doing. Even previous faculty and staff members would come visit Tina because they knew she truly wanted to see them and cared for them. Tina’s wonderful legacy will live on in her students and coworkers,” Stewart said. “She was a true treasure to NTMS.”

Ann Smith worked with Randall for four years. Smith will miss the fellowship she had with Randall and the bond they had. 

“I often refer to Mrs. Randall as my ‘work mom’. My 6-year-old and 12-year-old children often refer to her as ‘school grandma’,” Smith said. “She lit up the room when she entered and always seemed to know exactly what you needed to hear, whether it be advice or just something to make you smile for a minute.”

“Mrs. Randall was always very upbeat, uplifting, motivating, etc. She could be very eccentric at times, and that poured over into her personality as a whole. Her students loved her. She always went above and beyond to make each one feel loved, but especially the ones who needed that extra little bit of love,” Smith said. “She formed bonds with many of her students that carried over even after they moved on to high school. It was nothing to walk in her room and see previous students visiting with her. The same goes for her colleagues, both past and present.”

Kurtis Archer also remembers her bright smile. Archer worked with Randall for his first year of teaching last year. 

“Mrs. Randall had a huge impact on the NTMS staff and students. She was one person who you could tell anything to, and she would be real with you. She would give you advice, and you knew that it was genuine. She was always a helping hand when anyone needed it. She was always a smiling face for both students and staff when you really needed it,” Archer said. “I will miss the talks that Mrs. Randall and I had. She would help me with everything from the teaching world to just life. She would be honest and supportive of anything you do.”

Randall was a 1984 graduate of Lyons Senior High School, where she played the alto saxophone in the school band.  She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Brewton-Parker College and a Master’s degree in Education from Walden University.

She enjoyed canvas painting, was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, taught The Bridge Kids’ Sunday school class, served on the Leadership and Outreach Teams, and served on a Missions’ trip to the Bahamas.

Her family includes her husband of 37 years, Pete Randall of Vidalia; three children: Laura Beth Williamson and husband Jr. of Vidalia; Heather Marie Hooks and husband Roger, Jr. of Lyons; and Jacob Randall of Vidalia; nine grandchildren:  Tyler, Landon, Tucker, Fenix, Cedar, Sophie, Gage, Hope, and Ryleigh Beth; one brother, Chris Wilcher and Rhonda of Center Community; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

A celebration of life was held on the morning of July 12, 2022, at Tabernacle Baptist Church, with Pastor Bobby Thompson and Randy McDuffie officiating.