A familiar face is leaving the Richmond airwaves.

Sabrina Squire announced Monday, April 23, that she will retire as a news anchor for NBC affiliate WWBT Channel 12 on May 23. She will give up her microphone and walk away after the 6 p.m. newscast.

“I am retiring after 40 phenomenal years in broadcasting here in my hometown,” she told the audience in announcing her decision.

Ms. Squire has been a WWBT news anchor since 1984, the first African-American female to anchor weekday primetime news in the Richmond area.

Ms. Squire joined the station in 1981 and rose rapidly from intern status to full- time reporter, first in Chesterfield and then at City Hall, before gaining the anchor position opposite Gene Cox, who retired several years ago.

She began her career in radio.

“I started as a receptionist, then became the first female announcer for WEZS-FM, followed by a stint as a reporter for WSSV and as the voice of news for Magic 99,” she said.

“I will leave here in one month feeling extremely blessed, my heart filled with love and gratitude,” she said.

“I am immensely grateful to all of you who’ve embraced me over these four decades and so many milestones. You showered me with congratulations and handcrafted baby gifts for the births of my two children (you were even in the hospital with me for my youngest).

“You comforted me and my family with heartfelt condolences after the death of my father. Thousands of you sent get-well wishes, cards and flowers following my recent hospitalization.

“Thank you for welcoming me into your homes, your workplaces, schools, churches and civic events.

“I’ve loved celebrating with you, listening to you, sharing your concerns, ideas, hopes, heartbreaks and successes.”