Beech Tree News Network

Morgantown Care and Rehabilitation Center inducted five recipients into the Hall of Fame Café on Friday night. Inductees included: residentsOlivia Warren, Lona Womack, Alma Jean Hocker, stakeholder Magie Dockery and Roger Southerland community volunteer.  Bro. Jim McDaniels served as emcee of the event in the absence of Mrs. Shirley Allen, who had been hospitalized earlier on Friday.  The Honorable Woody Allen presented each inductee with a Kentucky Colonel certificate.  Musical entertainment was provided by Tiffany Winchel and Eliza Arnold.  The guest speaker was Congressman Brett Guthrie.  He thanked the inductees for their service to others and challenged others to follow their example.

“Reach out and find your corner of the earth and make it better,” said Congressman Guthrie.

 Helen Phelps read the hometown hero poem.  Logan Midkiff, MCRC administrator, thanked everyone for their attendance and congratulated the inductees.

The idea of the Hall of Fame Café started in 2003 when Signature Health was trying to find ways in which the importance of lifetime achievements, particularly as it applies to individual’s living in today’s nursing and rehabilitation centers, could be recognized.  As the program grew, the recognition of dedicated stakeholders and distinguished community members have now become a part of the honorary recognition.

Olivia Warren
In McHenry, Kentucky on September 9, 1927 this future Jefferson Award winner entered the world. She was a graduate of McHenry High School and also had courses at Western Kentucky University.
Olivia Craddock was a cheerleader in high school who was attracted to her future husband – ball player Billy Warren. They were married and became the proud parents of two children and later three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
When she came to Morgantown in 1952 Olivia Warren drove the Book Mobile and learned all the areas of Butler County. This would aid her later as she spent 30 years at the ACS Office-caring for the needs of farmers within the county and assisting with the required administrative duties.
Few were more involved in their immediate locality than Olivia was. From serving on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce (several terms), organizing the Christmas Parade, being a mainstay for the Butler County Athletic Boosters Association, assisting with the Catfish Festival, being active in the VFW, directing the County Beautification meetings, assisting in numerous fund raising efforts – the concept of passive bystander never entered her mind. She accepted her role as a leader and worker; she was the active community person that others can only dream of having.
Beauty contests were another area of interest for Olivia. For over 15 years she planned and directed the local pageants. Even using semi-truck beds for a stage didn’t discourage this dynamo of energy. Perhaps this concept of beauty was an engrossing feature of her character and could only have begun as she surveyed her own accomplishments.
Olivia’s fundamental beliefs came from the Morgantown Church of Christ – the belief in dedication and devotion to duty. Olivia Craddock Warren cheerfully became a servant of the highest order and excelled in helping many community aspirations become realities.

*Active Community Volunteer
*Government Employee for 30 years

*Organized County Beauty Contests for over 15 years

Lona Womack
A wonderful addition to God’s world arrived in June of 1927. Born in Davis Crossroads, Lona Manners attended a one room school called Prospect. She later progressed to Caney Fork and finished the eighth grade. Her school days were an illuminating time that she enjoyed very much.
When Lona found her true love in Lewis Womack they forged a life together caring for nature’s beauty. With hope and faith in God above, they raised corn, tobacco and other crops; they surmounted all of the hardships nature could fabricate.
Lona and Lewis were married over 50 years and had one daughter, two grandchildren, two great grandchildren, plus two great-great grandchildren. Lona was involved in Richland Baptist Church and later Caney Fork Presbyterian Church during this time. The love of God was always the guiding force of her life.
MCRC was greatly blessed when this remarkable lady became an employee here as a Nurse’s Aide. For over 14 years her remarkable work ethic made an impression on all those with whom she worked. Lona patiently tended to the needs of the sick and frail. She fulfilled this mission with her life until health problems caused her to retire.
Later on this beloved lady became a resident at our facility and here her creative endeavors were unleashed. Although her vision was poor, her desire to be expressive blossomed. Her experiments in colors and design resembled that of the famous Grandma Moses. From delightful pictures of flowers or trees to handheld gardens of exquisite beauty – her range is extensive. Her desire to share these with those she loves has no limits.
Lona Womack was a lady created for the moments who still lives each one to the fullest. Her art and faith captured her life story, struggle, and great love for God’s creations. Her artistic endeavors will forever be a great aesthetic achievement and tribute to her endurance and true allegiance.
*Active Stakeholder for 14 years
*Artistically Creative
*Devoted and supportive family member

Alma Jean Hocker
As an expert in literary history and genealogy, this lady has excelled in her chosen field. Alma Jean Hocker was first educated in Butler County (even beginning in a one room school) and later at Western Kentucky University where she received her BA in English and Science; she later earned her Master’s in Education. Jean had further classes there and used her expertise to teach at Butler County High School for 28 years where she was much loved and admired-especially by her many student teachers.
Born Alma Jean Render in 1930, she was a longtime resident of Logansport, Kentucky; Big Bend Rural Development in that area was a great source of joy during her life. She wed Hugh Hocker and their union produced 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. It was a marriage based on love and mutual respect.
A member of First Baptist Church for over 50 years; she taught the Youth Class and is presently the Adult Ladies teacher. She helped compile the 100 year history of the church and in doing so added even more respect and acclaim to her church.
Jean worked with the Butler County DAR beginning in 1971 and acted as Regent, Vice Regent, and Secretary – all time consuming responsibilities. She shouldered more duties in the Historical and Genealogical Society where she began her service about 1970. She had multiple articles published concerning this area; these made her a connoisseur of significant happenings in the Butler County area. Jean’s marvelous books delineating the history of one room schools as well as her participation in the Kentucky Council of Teachers of English brought more challenges. She was President and Vice Presisdent of this meaningful group.
Despite losing her vision in one eye to glaucoma, she has continued to enjoy reading and is still planning further research on Butler County folklore plus a Kentucky literature outline. Her legacy lives on.
*High school English instructor for 28 years
*Served as a Sunday school teacher
*DAR and Genealogical Guru

Magie Dockery
This hard working epitome of an ideal employee and friend began her tenure at our facility 31 years ago. Magie Dockery spent a few years working the day shift and then settled in as a part of the night shift regime.
Born in 1953, Magie attended Horse Branch Elementary and Ohio County High School; later on she attained her GED. On becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in 1989, she added multiple blessings to our elders and to other stakeholders.
Married to Jimmy C. Dockery for 45 years, she revels in the love of her family and especially in the presence of her 2 children, 6 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. These awesome people in her life explain why she became a night shifter. Being able to share in the school experience and then being the mother and wife she had always dreamed of being was of paramount importance to Magie. She loved her job, but her family always came first.
The fellowship with her fellow health care workers has been a mainstay for her life and her abundant love for the residents at MCRC has always provided direction for her endeavors.
Being active in Zion’s Harmony General Baptist Church and in the Ladies Aid portion of their outreach has been essential to her character developmernt of both herself and her family. Raising funds for St. Jude’s is a yearly project that reflects the Christmas goals of the church.
As  a true friend and valuable asset to the world around her, there could be none more reliable or essential than Magie Dockery.
*Stakeholder for 31 years MCRC
*Involved in Community Outreach
*Devoted Family Member

Roger Southerland
Being of serviced has always been of paramount importance to this farm raised gentleman born in November of 1951. Roger Southerland respects his rural roots from Rochester and Provo Kentucky, and patterns his moral standards after those he learned there.
Attending Rochester Elementary and there progressing to Butler County High School provided him a basis for his degree at the University of Kentucky in Agriculture Economics. This background ensured him 33 years as a Kentucky Department of Agriculture Inspector.
Marriage to Betty for 32 years brought them one beloved daughter. Church service was of paramount importance to this family unit as well. Roger has been a Deacon at Monticello Baptist Church for 29 years as well as acting as the Music Director. His dedicated giving in his community didn’t end there.
He has been involved in the Gasper River Association; he has spent 4 years as the clerk and 16 years as the Assistant Clerk. Roger has always found his life directed by faith and the standards of behavior instilled by his parents.
As an active volunteer for 3 years at MCRC he was the recipient of both the bronze and silver medals from the President Service Awards. Not only has he frequently been a Door Greeter but has composed oral histories of many residents.
Researching records at the local courthouse is a hobby and his research has clearly remedied numerous concerns for local citizens. Roger Southerland never met a history or statistic book he didn’t love to be involved with.
As an active member of the Board of Directors of the Morgantown/Butler County Chamber of Commerce, he strives to make his mark in further community affairs. He writes articles and takes pictures for Beech Tree News and has in the past had radio shows on Genealogy.
Being active and researching family histories fills Roger Southerland with the most pride – that and his faith in God that has kept him centered. This is the real Roger Southerland!
*Recipient of Silver and Bronze Presidential Service Awards
*Bachelor’s Degree at University of Kentucky
*Active in Genealogy research
*Gasper River Association of Baptist Clerk