VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Wednesday is the last day of the school year for Vigo County schools and this year is bittersweet for a beloved bus driver.

Vigo County School Bus Driver, Gloria Brown, has been taking children to and from school for over four decades and is now retiring. Brown said some of her favorite memories are the stories that children would tell. She also said she’ll miss all the kids and her fellow bus drivers.

Brown reflected on why she became a bus driver over 40 years ago.

“I started because my daughter was in grade school and I would be off when she was off and, still going,” Brown explained.

When asked what she’ll do next, she said, “For right now, I’m going to rest and then who knows? The sky is the limit.”

Fellow bus driver Terri Price said all the kids and the bus drivers love Gloria. Price said Gloria always goes above and beyond to make sure the kids and the other bus drivers feel special.

“Gloria, we love you so much, you have been very inspiring to us all. You’re always encouraging and you’re there for us, even in times that don’t pertain to bus driving, you’re more than just a driver, you’re also our friend and we love you very much,” Price said.