Mrs. Janelle Hughes began her service on the Board of Trustees in January of 2014 and served as the Secretary and Treasurer for the Board until her resignation in December of 2020. Janelle continues to serve faithfully at The Lodge at Bethany as a Volunteer on a weekly basis and further supports the organization and its Mission. A Robin Holly tree was planted on the front lawn of The Lodge at Bethany as a testament to her dedication and commitment to the Community of Care and her continued support.
In June 2021, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the appointment and designation of Dr. Rose Mary Gee as a member of the Board of Trustees to fulfill the unexpired term of Janelle. Rose Mary’s familial relationship with and to Bethany far predates her official relationship as a Board Member. Her Uncle, Elder Howard Cox, was the Chaplain at Bethany Nursing Center of Millen for over forty years and until his death. Rose Mary is a long-standing member of the Statesboro Primitive Baptist Church and has been active in denominational activities for many years, including the provision of Board leadership for the Annual Southern States Bible Conference, Camp Hillview, and the Annual Music Workshop of the Primitive Baptist denomination. Having received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia, Rose Mary also has her Associate Degree in Nursing from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, a Master of Science in Adult Health Nursing from the Medical College of Georgia, and her Ph.D. in Nursing Science from Emory University in Atlanta.
Rose Mary also has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. She is a Registered Professional Nurse in the State of Georgia, a certified Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiac Care Nurse, and an American Heart Association Instructor and Provider. Rose Mary is presently serving as an Associate Professor at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, where she not only teaches courses in the School of Nursing but also advises and mentors nursing students, participates in University, College, and School of Nursing Committees and activities, and consults on workshops as required for Continuing Education for Area Agencies.
During her tenure on the Board of Trustees, both The Lodge at Bethany, Assisted Living, and nine (9) Independent Living residences known as The Cottages at Bethany were designed, constructed, and are now representative of the Community of Care spoken of in the Bible and carried on by the Bethany organization since 1923. We remain grateful for her past contributions and to her continued involvement with the organization in this new role.
