Claiborne County — After working for more than half a century, a Claiborne County legend is retiring from her job at the Frostee Freeze Drive-In.
It would be nearly impossible to count how many burgers Edith 'Toot' Wolfenbarger has flipped while working at the Frostee Freeze for 52 years, but it doesn't stop her friends from trying.
"I don't know. 1.5 million or something," laughed Adam England, one of the drive-in's regular customers. "She could probably do it blindfolded. She has probably made more hamburgers than anybody in the world."
"I don't want to have the slightest idea," Wolfenbarger said as she cleaned the griddle, not even taking a break for the interview.
The 75-year-old, better known as 'Toot,' is quick in the kitchen.
"Oh, she’s quick...really quick. She gets on it, and they’re like done," said co-owner Beth Selvey.
"I've just always done everything fast," shrugged Wolfenbarger. "I've always enjoyed it here, and I never want to be late. Never."
Even showing up 15 minutes early to her 4 p.m. shift is practically considered late in Toot's book.
"I'm always early. 3 o'clock. I'm on time. I don't clock in till 4 p.m. I've always dedicated my whole life here, and I really love my bosses," she said.
Good bosses are just part of why she's stayed all these years, and why the decision to finally retire isn't an easy one.
"I prayed to God, and everything so I knew it was the right time, but I'm going to miss it. But it's the right time," Wolfenbarger said through the tears.
"She's 75. She needs to get out and enjoy life. She's worked her whole life," her daughter Scarlet said, excited her mother will have more time to spend with the family.
"It's hard to give up what I've enjoyed for all these years....but I might sometime come back a few days. Who knows," Wolfenbarger shrugs.
No doubt she'd be welcome back with open arms even after finishing her last 'official' shift.