Marion Hammond (center) is surrounded by her family at her retirement party. With her are (l-r) son Marc holding Brock, daughter-inlaw Heather holding Camden, husband Tony, son Bill holding Lola, and daughter-in-law Terri holding Makayla. The staff and Board of Directors of Wilkes County Department of Family and Children Services honored Marion Hammond on Friday, February 24, on the occasion of her retirement following 30 years of distinguished service. Festivities were held in the Mary Callaway Burton Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church.

Mrs. Hammond served as a Medicaid Eligibility Specialist for the agency. In that role she served primarily applicants and recipients who are aged, blind and disabled. She also certified households for food stamps who met the above criteria.

Mrs. Hammond began her career with Wilkes County DFCS as a secretary typist and was the receptionist for the agency. She came to DFCS from the Wilkes County School system where she worked as an office aide.

In honor of her retirement, Mrs. Hammond was presented a corsage of Anna rosebuds and white waxflower.

The fellowship hall was beautifully decorated for the occasion by Kay Nelms, Vivie Ann Wilson, Pam Jordan, David Clark, Jan Callaway and Sharon Williamson.

Upon arriving, guests signed the register placed on an antique table covered in white lace and decorated with a budvase of Anna roses. A lighted ficus tree and ferns adorned the entry way as well as a beautiful grapevine wreath.

The center food table, covered and skirted in white and accented with a floral runner, was centered with a massive arrangement of Bells of Ireland, pink and golden Gerber daisies, Dutch iris, spingeri fern, leatherleaf, beige carnations, white Alstroemeria lilies and solidago in a tall blue vase arranged by Mrs. Nelms.

Hors d'oeuvres included cheese straws, crme d menthe chocolates, chicken salad timbales, crme puffs, strawberries, and toasted pecans. Iced tea punch was served from a silver punch bowl on a round table covered and skirted in white.

The gift table was centered with a cherub fountain.

Other arrangements of roses and fresh flowers about the room were gifts from friends.

Guests enjoyed many pictures and articles displayed on a memorabilia board.

A special time of reminiscing was shared by Mrs. Hammond's pastor at Mallorysville Baptist Church, Rev. Donnie Berry.

The staff of Wilkes DFCS presented Mrs. Hammond a crystal cake stand and a plaque. The state Division of Family and Children Services presented her a watch and plaque. The Wilkes County DFCS Board of Directors presented her a plaque.

Approximately 70 friends and coworkers visited during the afternoon to wish her the best in her retirement.

Among those attending were her family, including her husband, Tony Hammond; her children and grandchildren, Marc and Heather Hammond, Brock and Camden, of Tignall and Bill and Terri Hammond, Lola and Makayla, of Crawford; her brother and family, Joe and Debbie Burton, Cassie and Mindi, of Tignall; uncle and family, Gene and Phyllis Burton of Elberton; cousins, Mary Will Denard of Washington and Dianne Self of Elberton; Wilkes County DFCS Board members, Minnie Evans and Rev. Albert Huyck; and out-of-town guests, Bob and Teri White of Port Orange, Fla., Lynne Hillis of Millen, Freda Chalker, Johnny Castro and Wendy Pope of Augusta, Cornelia Reynolds of Waynesboro, Donna Wilson and Rosetta Knight of Greensboro, Bonnie Gunby, Avery Cooper and Kathy Hendrix of Thomson, Pat and Mary Darden of Crawfordville, Sandra Moore of North Augusta, S.C., Mary Clark of Sandersville, Donna Phillips of Gibson and Catherine Cox of Lincolnton.