RSVP recognizes volunteers at luncheon
Giving back to one’s community has been an integral part of the American experience since colonial times. This nation has solved many problems over the years, thanks to volunteer service.
As Tennessee is known as the Volunteer State, then Warren County must surely be making a mark in this area for the volunteer efforts of its citizens. Several of these sharing and caring individuals were recognized when Retired Senior Volunteer Program participants recently filled the three banquet rooms at the Civic Center. The occasion was the annual RSVP Appreciation Luncheon with the meal furnished and served by members of the McMinnville Jaycees.
State Rep. Judd Matheny was keynote speaker and new RSVP director Martha Sue Jones led the awards program.
Singled out for honors were Lela McBride and Arrie Mae Smith, both 90, recognized as the oldest active volunteers. Jacqueline Haley, a charter member of the RSVP Advisory Board, received accolades for donating her time at the same volunteer station over a period of 20 years. She serves as a RSVP volunteer at River Park Hospital.
Sue Smith’s efforts while serving 20 years as RSVP director were acknowledged with the presentation of an engraved plaque by Bettye Haston, chairman of the RSVP Advisory Council.
Nowadays, most of Arrie Mae Smith’s volunteer hours are accumulated at her home through the use of the telephone. She has a list of elderly residents who live alone that she begins calling about 10 a.m., five to six days a week, in order to check on their well-being. This gives these individuals an opportunity to report a problem as well as looking forward to having a cheerful conversation with her on a regular basis.
Smith has been a resident of McMinnville since 1939 and is best known for the years she spent as an educator in elementary classrooms.
She began her higher education on a basketball scholarship at Martin College. She also attended David Lipscomb, then received her bachelor’s degree from what is now Middle Tennessee State University. She taught three years in White County, two years at Bybee Branch and retired in 1977 after 20 years as a teacher at City Grammar School.
Smith holds membership in the Warren County Retired Teachers Association and ADK Sorority. She served on the board for Southside Senior Center and was active in Faulkner Springs Homemakers Club until it was phased out. She’s been a member of Central Church of Christ for about 64 years.
She has a daughter, Anne Swanson of Clarksville, son Charles Smith of McMinnville, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild, and is an avid reader of historical novels.
“Lela McBride is still going wide open!” proclaimed Sue Smith while commending her RSVP participation.
As a RSVP volunteer, McBride drove people to doctor’s appointments until recently. This senior adult remains active in the American Legion Auxiliary, Rock Island Lions Club, Rock Island Ladies Club and in service to her community. At the Sand Bar Crafts Fair, she alternated from her booth to operating the drink stand or cooking in the Lions Club booth. She is among the ladies who prepare and serve meals for bereaved families at Campaign Community Center and also cooks big pots of soup or beans and cornbread for serving at the Lions Club’s Rook parties.
McBride has been designated as a Gold Star Mother by the American Legion, due to the ultimate sacrifice of her only son during the war.
A native of Overton County, she has resided in Warren County since December 1944 and is a member of Rock Island Church of Christ. She began employment with McMinnville Garment Company in 1945, retiring in 1975.
Over the past 20 years, Jacqueline Haley has donated a multitude of volunteer hours at River Park Hospital where her responsibilities include guiding patients to their destination after admission, assisting the elderly or other visitors unfamiliar with the medical facility, and preparing admission packets for use at the front desk.
“I love people and it’s gratifying for me to help somebody. It just does something to you,” commented Haley. “I highly recommend volunteer service, but you have to have the heart to help others.”
Haley was born at Hash family homeplace in Campaign and always had aspirations of becoming a nurse.
“I wanted to be a nurse but my daddy said no,” she said. “It was fine with him that I take a business course.”
She completed a civil service exam and was employed for five years as a secretary in an artillery division in Washington D.C. In 1963, she began working as an admitting clerk at Warren County General Hospital and moved across the street to River Park when it opened. After retirement, her years as a hospital employee just continued into the volunteer service she thrives on today.