Birthdays put spotlight on two special people

Two local citizens had noteworthy birthdays this spring.

Mary Gertrude McNeal turned 90 on March 16. McNeal is a local beauty pageant winner who was named Ms. Georgia Nursing Home queen in 2012.

The contest, conducted by the Georgia Health Care Association, is held every year to promote a positive image of nursing home residents as well as recognizing the accomplishments of residents of nursing homes.

McNeal was able to return to live in her own home, but has wonderful memories of serving as Ms. Georgia Nursing Home, including receiving a key to the city from Warner Robins' then-Mayor Chuck Shaheen when he proclaimed June 2, 2012, as Mary McNeal appreciation day. She rode in several parades, presented awards and was an honored guest at the Georgia Health Care Association convention in 2013.

Jim Burns also had a milestone birthday in March. Burns celebrated his 99th birthday on March 31, complete with a surprise party.

For the past 18 years, Burns has been a volunteer at Houston Medical Center, where according to Melissa Phagan, the hospital's director of volunteer services, he has provided close to 14,000 hours of service to patients and visitors. Along with volunteering at the hospital, Burns volunteers at the Christian Social Ministry, the Rehoboth Baptist Association's food bank.

Burns is originally from North Carolina. He joined the Air Force -- then known as the Army Air Corps -- in 1940. After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, he was sent to Australia during World War II, where he served as an aircraft mechanic on B-24s.

After he retired from Robins Air Force Base, Burns said he needed something to do.

"I am an escort at the hospital, like a gofer. I take people back and forth, to their rooms or outside when they are leaving. It is very rewarding. I really enjoy the people I work with," said Burns.

Burns has a large family including two great-great-grandchildren.

Burns said he recommends volunteering and encourages others to consider it. But as far as any accolades for himself, he wasn't ready to accept any.

"It's nice but I don't really deserve any credit. I just got old and I had nothing to do with that."

This story was originally published April 12, 2016 at 10:07 PM with the headline "Birthdays put spotlight on two special people ."