The local Habitat for Humanity honored its longtime executive director with a special birthday party this past Saturday night (4/21/2012) at First Baptist Church on East Castle Street. 

The 10-year director of Habitat had been helping in the Re-Store booth at the local home show at the Lane Agri Park. She went home and had no clue of what was about to happen. Smith explained that she walked into her home, and her husband was getting ready--she thought--to take her out to a birthday dinner. About that time, her parents arrived--still no clue.  She surmized, "Oh, I guess we're all going out". 

Then they all got in the car and headed out, but instead of a restaurant--they drove down East Castle and stopped at First Baptist. Beth said she wondered by the parking lot was full. As they walked in, everyone stood up and cheered. 

Beth said, "I had no idea this was happening. There was the mayor, Dr. Bonner, friends from the Habit office, home owners, church friends--it was overpowering". 

Then a special presentation was made from Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg and rutherford County Mayor Ernest Burgess. 

WGNS will have Beth Smith on the Action Line with us in the near future to share some of her thoughts on life and helping others. 

Pastor James M. McCarroll Jr. began the faith based evening with a "Beth experience" being shared by Levonda Nelson, who got to know beth during her first year at Habitat. Then Kathy Swader shared her memories when Beth had been there for five years. And the decade rounded out with Donald and Dorine's moving story. 

The Bingham Sisters and Lisa Robinson did a "love shower of song" along with the help of Lisa Robinson.