Hospital volunteer 'retires' for second time

Virginia Neal, Mattie Ray Wiser, Mary Gray and Martha Hitt celebrate Gray's recent retirement from the hospital's volunteer program. Neal holds a photograph of Marie Brantley, founder of the Pink Ladies. (T-G Photo by Sadie Fowler) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

Thirty-two years ago, Mary Gray retired from her duties as a high school English teacher, a career she devoted her life to for nearly 40 years. About a month ago, she had a chance to retire all over again.

"This is sort of sad," said Mattie Ray Wiser, volunteer coordinator at Heritage Medical Center. "She enjoyed people, and we enjoyed having her ... She loves people, and she was so reliable."

After 32 years of serving as a hospital volunteer -- most of those years as a Bedford County Medical Center "Pink Lady" -- Gray retired for a second time. She was the longest-serving volunteer the hospital has ever had.

"It was really by accident," said Gray, explaining how she had become a volunteer so many years ago. "I was visiting friends in the hospital and a friend of mine was at the front desk. I was visiting with her, and started helping her with something. Marie Brantley, who founded the Pink Ladies, said, 'Mary, why don't you just keep doing what you're doing right now,'"

Gray told Brantley, whom she said was a great leader and inspiration, that she would think about volunteering. She had, after all, just retired from teaching and had extra time on her hands.

Next thing she knew, she had completely embraced the opportunity to volunteer. And she never looked back.

"I volunteered because I enjoyed it," she said. "And, for sure, I miss all the ladies. Volunteering is a good thing. Not only was I helping others, but I met a jolly bunch of ladies at the same time."

Gray said that everyone should volunteer at some point in their lives to learn "what it truly means to help somebody else."

While she is no longer formally required to be at the hospital, Gray still attends the volunteers' luncheon, held once a month at the hospital. Having lunch with the ladies is one of her favorite things to do.

"We are all very close," Gray said. "About five years ago, I lost my godson. Mr. (David) Feldhaus called me and told me I needed to come to the funeral home. They were all there wearing their pink jackets. They turned out in the masses to support me, so you can see there is a close relationship there."

In addition to staying in touch with her close friends from the hospital's volunteer program, Gray remains active in two retired teachers' associations, the seniors center and her church.