Thomas and Betty Chester were married January 5, 1964, at Friendship Baptist Church in Statesboro, Ga., by the Rev. Bob Helton. The children of Thomas and Betty will host a reception in their honor on January 12, 2014, at Eastern Heights Baptist Church from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. No local invitations are being sent. All friends and relatives are invited to attend. No gifts, please.
    Thomas served in the United States Air Force National Guard for 25 years. While in the National Guard, he also worked at Continental Can Company for 23 years and Georgia Pacific for 14 before retiring in 2004. He currently spends his time driving a tour bus for Kelley Tours. He enjoys driving the Georgia Southern teams to their away competitions. He also serves with a mission team in Honduras during the summer.
    Betty owned and operated a licensed day care for 13 years, where she made many friendships, providing love and care for many children. She also worked at Piggly Wiggly for 12 years. After her own children were in school, she went to work for the Bulloch County Board of Education, where she worked at Julia P. Bryant Elementary School, Statesboro High School and Mill Creek Elementary School. Mrs. Chester retired from the board of education in 2009 after 20 years of service. She spends her time sewing, helping others and playing with the grandchildren.
    Thomas and Betty have been members of Eastern Heights Baptist Church for the last 38 years, serving God and their church. Thomas is a deacon, and Betty has served teens, GAs and currently teaches a Sunday school class. They have three children: Wes (Stacy) Chester of Shady Dale, Ga.; Heath (Kelley) Chester of Milton, Ga.; and Keisha (Don) Rawls of McDonough, Ga. They have five grandchildren: DJ, Sarah, Taylor, Tucker and Colby.