Frances Buzzard, 77-year-old, began her job as a janitor in Belle Elementary School in West Virginia. But she wasn’t like any other janitor, the school staff were surprised to see her doing beyond her regular tasks without being told, like polishing the furniture, everyone became fascinated with her work ethic! Ms. Francis always made sure the school is a safe and clean environment for children to learn.
School counselor Chelena McCoy revealed, “…this lady is twice our age, but she does three times the work. She’s something else. Everybody just loves her.”
However, there is a story behind this hardworking lady, and when the school principal found out about it, she had to confront Ms. Frances with what she had discovered.
One day, “Miss Frances” as students and staff call her, was confused when she was told on the school’s loudspeakers to head to the cafeteria immediately. She knew there was an assembly held there, so maybe they needed her to mop something off the floor.
The moment she walked into the cafeteria, she was surprised when over 200 students were waiting for her there. It turns out, it was her 77th birthday, but what makes it so special and so worthy to celebrate it is because this kind and caring woman had never had a birthday party before in her entire life.
With all students and staff singing for “Happy Birthday”, a cart full of cupcakes and cookies was rolled out of the kitchen.
The 77-year-old is then seen sitting in a chair in the center of the hall, with a birthday sash and crown on her head; the school also put together a video presentation on her amazing story including some historic events that she lived through like when she helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima, while standing next to Neil Armstrong on the moon.
It was a truly special moment for everyone, especially the birthday girl, and she was in tears by the end of it.
When Frances was growing up, her poor family didn’t have enough money for things like big birthday and Christmas parties.
Frances told the Charleston Gazette-Mail:
“I don’t remember any. They didn’t do things like that. We didn’t have Christmas parties either. They would get us fruits and nuts when they could afford it.”
In fact, only one time she had celebrated a birthday party,… but it was rather sad.
“They had me, but it was so icy and cold, nobody came.”
