"Miss Marcia" Kling, left, receives congratulations from Mayors Jim Coppinger and Ron Littlefield during a special commemorating Kling's 50th anniversary with WTVC-TV News Channel 9 in this file photo.Marcia Kling, a longtime local television personality at WTVC-NewsChannel 9, announced Thursday she will retire May 30, according to a news release from the station.
"Unlike the Energizer Bunny, I never intended going on and on. ... So, when my work day ends on Thursday, May 30, I will leave the station for the last time," Kling wrote in an email to fellow employees. "The decision to do so has not been easy ... and largely because of all of you."
Kling, widely known as "Miss Marcia," joined WTVC in 1962 to host TV-9's "Romper Room School." The next year, she developed "Funtime," her own educational program for preschoolers, and that show ran from 1963 to 1978.
In 1978, "Nifty Nine" was created as a program for kids ages 6-12, and she produced and hosted it.
Kling, who has been the station's director of community affairs, in 1982 focused her work on the lives of people over 50 in her role as the Life Watch reporter, the release states. More recently she has made regular appearances on "This N That," a weekday talk show.
"Marcia Kling is everything that is good about Chattanooga," WTVC General Manager Mike Costa said in a statement. "We have been honored to have her represent WTVC NewsChannel 9. Not many people can say they've worked at the same station for more than 50 years, but Miss Marcia will tell you she hasn't worked one day in those years because she has been doing what she loves. We love Miss Marcia and will miss her gracious presence in the building and on our air."
Kling and her husband, David, are planning to remain active as community volunteers.