TIFTON — Anita Stewart Stovall has been many things in her lifetime. She retired as a real estate company owner and broker, she modeled in New York City, managed a modeling and charm school in Columbus, and she even provided fashion commentary for a local television station. She works as a volunteer Pink Lady at Tift Regional Medical Center and serves on the board of the TRMC Foundation.

And now she can add financial contributor to the long list of her accomplishments.

In a dedication ceremony held Friday afternoon, Tift Regional Medical Center Foundation announced that Tift Regional’s freestanding cancer facility in Tifton has been renamed the Anita Stewart Oncology Center, and that the building will undergo an expansion, thanks to a significant contribution by Stovall.

“Mrs. Anita Stewart Stovall is a familiar face to many at Tift Regional Medical Center,” said John H. Dorminy III, M.D., TRMCF chairman. “Mrs. Stovall has provided our foundation with a substantial financial donation which will be used to augment services for Tift Regional cancer patients. Her generosity cannot be understated and naming this facility after her is a fitting tribute. She has worked hard and saved her entire life and is determined to make a difference in the lives of others. We appreciate her devotion to the local medical community.”

With Stovall and family members in attendance, the dedication ceremony included remarks by Dorminy, TRMCF past chairman Sammie D. Dixon, M.D. and TRHS oncology director Scott Smith, R.Ph.  TRMCF executive director Mandy Brooks unveiled exterior signage at the cancer facility with the new name.  A small reception with refreshments followed the ceremony.  A portrait of Stovall will be displayed within the center in the near future.

Site work began the first week of September on the expansion, which will add 4,667 square feet of additional space for chemotherapy and hematology services, as well as the renovation of 4,204 square feet of current space. The project is expected to be completed in April 2016.

“This expansion will accommodate more patients and enhance the care we provide,” said Smith.

William T. Richardson, Tift Regional Health System (TRHS) president/CEO, said Stovall’s contribution is momentous.

“She is such a warm and kind person,” said Richardson. “In addition to volunteering countless hours at our main hospital, Mrs. Stovall has offered a considerable endowment which will heighten the level of care for our cancer patients. We are grateful beyond words.”

Stovall, who is a graduate of Enigma High School, attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton and the Barbizon School of Modeling in New York City. She has served on the boards of the American Cancer Society and Moody Air Force Base Task Force Housing Committee.

Stovall said she wanted to give back to the community and help other families facing difficult times. Her husband of 45 years, Sid Stovall, died from cancer. He was a businessman and building contractor in Lowndes County for many years. The couple has a daughter, Susan, who calls Valdosta home.

“I’m just so grateful to have the ability to save the money to donate to this very worthy cause,” Stovall said.

To contact editor Angye Morrison, call 382-4321.