Laurens 55’s Tabitha Keitt and a family rooted and grounded
Hailing from the small town of Gray Court in northern Laurens County, Tabitha Keitt is now the Seat 1 representative on the Laurens School District 55 Board of Trustees, the very area and district where she was born and raised.
Keitt, who never really left the county, except to attend college, said her family is deeply rooted in Laurens.
“My parents, Tommy and Tina Crowder, were also born and raised in Laurens County. They raised my brother, Todd Crowder, and I (here),” she said. “We are all graduates of Laurens District 55 High School along with many other members of my family over the past years.”
Upon graduating from high school, Keitt’s higher education
pursuits took her from Greenville Technical College to Lander University and
then to the University of South Carolina Upstate to obtain a nursing degree,
where Keitt faced one of the grimmest times in her life.
“In November of 2006, I had just begun my last year of nursing school when I had a motor vehicle accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury (which) caused me to be paralyzed from the chest down,” said Keitt. “I went through many struggles, emotions and physical therapies during my recovery. I would not have made it through without the support and love from my family, church and friends.”
After extensive recovery, Keitt went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in human service management in 2011, about the same time she and her husband Carson, also a graduate of Laurens 55, found out they would soon become parents.
“I knew I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom and did not pursue (a) career in my area of study at that time,” she said.
Keitt describes being a stay-at-home mom as being the most rewarding part of her life, citing her angst with having to see daughter, Leila, start school.
“From birth to school age, we were able to play and learn together everyday,” said Keitt. “Starting school was hard on both of us. I think we both cried every morning for a week.
Keitt said being a parent with a child in the school district allows her to relate to what other parents are going through when it comes to frustrations and successes with the school system.
It wasn’t long after enrolling Leila in Laurens 55 schools that Keitt began volunteering at the church she’s attended her entire life – Bramlett Methodist Church in Gray Court. One conversation with the pastor resulted in her becoming the director of the Children’s Ministry while also serving as treasurer. She was immediately charged with creating a new Children’s Program, which has experienced exponential growth.
“At the time, we only had two children, but we have grown since, and have about 20 today,” said Keitt. “I have truly enjoyed being part of the Children’s Department over the last five years.”
With the coming of the new year, Keitt will assist her sister-in-law, who is a Laurens 55 special education teacher, in the Youth Department at church. Keitt said her previous work in ministry has aptly prepared her to assist with the youth there and as a school board member.
“I get to be a part of hopefully many different successful changes, improvements or creations of ways to improve the safety and learning of children and youth in education and faith,” said Keitt.