The community gave Effingham Herald Publisher Karen Tanksley a big sendoff into her retirement.

Family, friends, local leaders and colleagues from the Effingham Herald and Statesboro Herald turned out Thursday to honor Tanksley at a reception at the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce. Tanksley's final day as publisher was Friday.

"In many ways it's a sad day for us as we say good-bye to Karen Tanksley and acknowledge her 43 years of service to Morris Newspaper Corporation," Regional Vice President Joe McGlamery said at Thursday's reception.

Tanksley began working part-time at the Statesboro Herald in 1972. She worked her way up and spent her final 16 years with Morris as the head of the Effingham Herald.

"It's people like Karen that helped us build this company," said Charles Morris, CEO of Morris Multimedia.

Tanksley thanked Morris Multimedia for the opportunities she was given. Choking up at times, she also thanked everyone who attended the reception, her family and her current and former colleagues.

"It's been a really wonderful 43 years," Tanksley said. "There's been ups and downs, as there always is, but I couldn't have asked for a better career. And I appreciate so much you coming to help me celebrate the fact that it's coming to an end and I'm starting a new chapter in my life."

For more, see Wednesday's edition of the Effingham Herald.

To watch video from the reception, go to the "Featured Video" section of www.effinghamherald.net.