Betty Ware has arrived at a new chapter in her life. After volunteering at Newton Medical Center for the last 33 years, Betty is retiring and moving to South Carolina to a retirement facility near family.

The announcement came as a surprise for many attendees at Tuesday’s Hospital Auxiliary General Meeting held at the First Baptist Church in Covington.

"Our hospital has been a much better facility because we had Betty Ware as a member of our Auxiliary and especially because of her service on our patient care units," said guest speaker, James Weadick, CEO and Hospital Administrator. "We all will miss her very much."

Over 200 of Betty’s colleagues, friends, and well-wishers applauded and cheered her long service to the hospital and her dedication to the community. Filled with mixed emotions, Betty declared, "I will be closer to my family but I will insist that if I get sick, they have to bring me back to Newton Medical Center."

According to Martha Taylor, Volunteer Services Director, Betty joined the Auxiliary in 1976 and served 5,530 hours in a number of areas. Betty helped with registration for blood drives twice a year, missing only two drives in the last 30+ years. "She was always the first volunteer called when blood drive dates were announced," said Taylor.

Betty served on the Auxiliary board in the 80s and 90s and could be found every Saturday on the Medical Floor providing assistance to staff and patients. She has trained numerous volunteers to serve on patient floors on weekends.

In December 2006, Betty received the Lifetime Achievement Award issued from the Office of the President of the United States for serving over 4,000 hours at Newton Medical Center.

"We appreciate all the years and hours of service Betty has given and wish her well as she leaves us for a well-deserved retirement," Taylor said.