Kathryn Hunter (center) is congratulated by Regions Bank Area President Jimmy Rigsby and Regions Area Sales Manager Julie Whitaker at her retirement reception. Regions Bank honored Kathryn Hunter on Friday, March 24, at a reception at the Washington Branch of Regions Bank on the occasion of her retirement following 36 years of dedicated loyal service.

Mrs. Hunter began her work in banking when she joined Washington Loan and Banking Company in September of l969 when Frank Thomas Sr. was president. Her years continued as the locally-owned bank became Georgia Railroad Bank, then First Union Bank, Allied Bank of Georgia and most recently, Regions Bank. She became interim Washington Branch Manager in 2002 and was named Branch Manager in 2003.

According to Jimmy Rigsby of Augusta, Regions Bank Area President, "Kathryn has been a dedicated loyal banker. I have enjoyed my association with her". On behalf of Regions Bank, Mr. Rigsby presented her a Bulova crystal pendulum Westminster chime table clock inscribed "Kathryn Hunter - Your dedication has been a timeless asset".

In addition to Mr. Rigsby, Julie Whitaker of Augusta, Area Sales Manager for Regions, was present. Others attending from Augusta were Ben Blasingame, Melvis Smith, Darrell Byrd and Don McNeill. Attending from Thomson Regions offices were Kenneth Usry, Pam Capps, Lori Aycock, Louise Adams, Anna Kelly, Cheryl Sims, Barbara Simpkins, Janis Clark, Jerry Williams and Ray Chester. Washington office employees attending were Bobbie Jo Wilson, Faye Lamar, Rachel Jackson, Joyce Holloway, Bes Moore, Lisa Cutler and Aubrey Barnett.

Family members present were husband, Manuel Hunter, children and families, Mike and Debra Hunter of Watkinsville, Warren and Lisa Newsome, Ansley and Hunter, of Washington, and John and Erin Hunter, Sarah Grace and Tyler, of Statesboro; her mother, Sybil Veazey; sisters, Lynda Pollock of Washington and Jackie Butts of Crawfordville; and extended family, Anna Hogan, David and Gail Hunter, Evelyn Cofer, Reba Thornton, Faye Thornton, Caroline Thornton and Tammy Echols of Washington, Christine Wheeler, Grace Hunter, Larry Veazey and Andy, and Alice Thornton of Crawfordville.

In honor of the occasion Mrs. Hunter was presented a corsage of white Alstroemeria lilies.

The main lobby of Regions held a long tables overlaid in white and decorated with an elegant arrangement of Alstroemeria lilies, yellow gladioli and daisies, pink Gerber daisies, purple pompons, and Dutch iris in a vase that had belonged to longtime friend and valued customer, Clara Lewis McMekin.

Punch from a silver punch bowl, cheese straws, fresh fruits, cheese ball and crackers and fresh vegetables were served from silver and crystal appointments. Another local point of the table was a large sheet cake decorated with lavender scrollwork and yellow and lavender roses inscribed "Congratulations Kathryn for 36 Years of Service".

Other floral arrangements in the lobby were sent from friends.

More than 200 guests registered during the afternoon.

Prior to this celebration, local employees, Bobbie Jo Wilson, Faye Lamar, Rachel Jackson, Joyce Holloway, Bes Moore, Lisa Cutler and Audrey Barnett, entertained Mrs. Hunter at dinner at the Washington Jockey Club on Tuesday evening, March 21. Festive retirement balloons marked Mrs. Hunter's chair and centering the table was a beautiful fresh arrangement of yellow forsythia, purple iris, pink camellias, white spirea and narcissus, done by Mabel Johnson.

During the evening each presented Mrs. Hunter a special toast and gift.