Longtime local leaders Sean Register, Donald Singleton and Mary Warnell were recently honored as community stars by the Savannah Technical College Foundation.
Register, who recently stepped down after more than a decade serving with the Development Authority of Bryan County, was feted Oct. 15 with a luncheon at the City Center.
It was hosted by the DABC and its CEO, Anna Chafin.
“Few people serve their community for as long and in as many ways as Sean has,” Chafin said. “We think it fitting that he should be recognized for his many contributions over the years.”
Register helped start the county’s development authority and has long been a proponent of bringing more jobs to the county.
“I’m very touched by this honor,” Register said, shortly before the lunch got under way. “I never expected something like this. Everybody does something hopefully to better themselves in life, but to me the bigger, more important thing is to do what you can do for your community. It’s what you can give back.”
He said he came to Bryan County some 30 years ago, and “back then you’d go down 144 and you would hardly pass a car,” he said, adding, “we’ve come so far. I’m proud of what we’ve got. A great school system, great people and great jobs coming to our community.”
Warnell, a Pembroke native, is a retired teacher who served on the Bryan County school board and as Pembroke mayor. She was sponsored by Mary Morrison, who praised her commitment to community service and called her a “a true community star.”
Neither she nor Singleton were at at the luncheon in Richmond Hill, which included a livestream showing of the STC Foundation event in Savannah hosted by Richmond Hill resident Dr. Bertice Berry.
Singleton, a decorated Vietnam veteran, was nominated by STC Executive Director Gail Eubanks, who said he “leads by example.”
“From helping veterans to teaching kids the drums at church, he provides the kind of quiet leadership behind the scenes that helps people and communities thrive. We are happy to honor him,” Eubanks said, according to a brochure of the honors available at the luncheon.
A familiar name and sight to regular readers of this newspaper, Singleton in the brochure is pictured wearing a 101st Airborne hat and suit with his combat infantry badge, combat jump wings and purple heart, among other medals, pinned on his left breast. He is quoted as saying “I want to leave a legacy that I love God and my family. I care for the forgotten, and I fight when necessary. I am proud to be a veteran, and am proud to have served this country. There is so much more to do to keep the memories alive of all who served.”