First Lady Emeritus
“Let your light shine before men so that others may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Live for Jesus, love for Jesus and rejoice every day with Jesus.”
This motto is truly a reflection of the life of Betty S. Hope as she strives to be an example of biblical principles and follow the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was born, reared and nurtured in the Christian home of Mr. & Mrs. George W. Smith of Dublin, Georgia and is the oldest of two daughters.
Early in life, she began to prepare herself for her lifelong mission. Educationally, she graduated from the Oconee High School in Dublin, Georgia and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the Fort Valley State College in Fort Valley, Georgia. She continued to pursue her educational career by receiving a Masters of Art Degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia State University. She furthered her education and became trained as a Supervisor of Student Teachers in the Clarke County School District by attending numerous workshops and seminars to enhance her profession.
It was always a dream of Betty S. Hope to become a teacher of young children. Her professional experiences begin with the Thomasville City Schools and continued with the Fulton County School System, the Grady County School System and the Clarke County School District. After instructing, molding, shaping and teaching young children for 35 years, she retired from her educational career in June 2003.
Betty S. Hope has a passion for church work and involves herself in different ministries and missions at the Ebenezer Baptist Church, West. Sister Hope served as the former Vacation Bible School Director, Ministry Coordinator for the New Member/Discipleship Ministry, member of the Greeters & Hospitality Ministry and the Ministry Coordinator for the Minister’s Wives Ministry prior to her retirement as First Lady of Ebenezer West on August 25, 2019. She currently serves in the role of First Lady Emeritus of Ebenezer.
She enjoys people and helping others by extending her services in the community of Athens – Clarke County. She also works with the Women’s Auxiliary of the General Missionary Baptist Convention of Georgia, Inc. She has developed a love for Christian Education and is working on certification in this area.
She is married to Rev. Dr. Winfred M. Hope, Pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church West in Athens. They are the proud parents of two lovely daughters, Helen Hope Kimbrough (Marcus) of Charlotte, North Carolina and Tracey Hope Haynes (Ulysses) of Birmingham, Alabama and the proud grandmother of two wonderful grandsons – Austin and Avery Kimbrough.