alabama senior citizens hall of fame

ALABAMA SENIOR CITIZENS

HALL OF FAME

2 0 21 AWA R D SSUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 2021 • 2:00 PM

RSA ACTIVITY CENTER201 DEXTER AVENUE • MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA

MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSIONER

Dear 2020 and 2021 Honorees,

It is truly an honor to recognize a group of seniors who have contributed so much to improving the lives of older Alabamians. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year, we were unable to hold an induction and awards ceremony.

The many achievements of the Hall of Fame Classes of 2020 and 2021 are truly remarkable. I offer my congratulations on their induction as permanent members to the Hall of Fame.

I also offer my congratulations to the recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Commendation and Special awards. These awards honor their incredible ongoing commitment to serving our communities.

Also recognized are couples who have been married for 65 years or more and individuals who are 100 years or older. I extend my sincere congratulations to all of those who have reached these wonderful milestones.

For all that these honorees have achieved for their community and our state, we say thank you.

Congratulations!

Jean W. Brown Commissioner Alabama Department of Senior Services

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TODAY’S PROGRAM

Welcoming RemarksJerry Fielding, Chairman

Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, Class of 2015

InvocationDr. Dale Huff

Class of 2021 Inductee

Pledge of AllegianceTrace Zarr, Deputy Commissioner

Alabama Department of Senior Services

Special GuestsJean Brown, Commissioner

Nick Nyberg, Programs and Planning Division Chief Alabama Department of Senior Services

Recognition of The Class of 2020

Recognition of 2020 Award Winners

Installation of Permanent Members

Presentation of Posthumous Members

Presentation of Lifetime Achievement

Presentation of Special Awards

Recognition of Senior CitizensMarried 65 Years or More 100 Years of Age or Older

Dismissal to Reception

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HALL OF FAME

CLASS OF 2020

Don Armstrong C O L U M B I A N A

Jere Beasley M O N T G O M E R Y

Dorothy L. Bell M O B I L E

Joseph P. Borg E C L E C T I C

Ginger Branson V E S T A V I A

James E. Buskey M O B I L E

Charles H. Johnson, Sr. S E L M A

Magdalene Kennedy Patton T U S K E G E E

Lee Sentell M O N T G O M E R Y

Judge Cordy L. Taylor P R A T T V I L L E

POSTHUMOUS Ed Ewing R E D L A N D

Ted Jennings B R E W T O N

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HALL OF FAME

2020 LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich D A P H N E

Margie Jordan U N I O N S P R I N G S

Mary Ross C L A N T O N

Bobby Joe Seals A L A B A S T E R

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HALL OF FAME

2020 SPECIAL AWARDS

Community Service Award

Essie CalhounT U S K E G E E

James OutlerO Z A R K

Mack SpencerT U S C A L O O S A

Ethel M. WilliamsT U S K E G E E

Education Award

Lelia MitchellM O N T E V A L L O

Florence McMillian RiversT U S K E G E E I N S T I T U T E

Military Award

Donna S. BradfordT U S K E G E E

John PruettC A R B O N H I L L

Jackson Clarence SummersT U S K E G E E

Journalism Award

PJ ViningC L A N T O N

Religion Award

Bob GrossD O T H A N

Theresa L. HowardS L O C O M B

Susie Haroleen JamesT U S K E G E E

RSVP Award

Agnes PoolC O L U M B I A N A

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HALL OF FAME

CLASS OF 2021

Dolly Crewes G U L F S H O R E S

Oscar C. Gadson, Jr. T U S K E G E E I N S T I T U T E

Brenda Gantt A N D A L U S I A

Dr. Dale Huff P R A T T V I L L E

William F. Joseph, Jr. M O N T G O M E R Y

William Laurence Goodloe Lees H O O V E R

Pam Nichols B I R M I N G H A M

Mack C. Spencer T U S C A L O O S A

Gary Wendt N O R T H P O R T

Paul Worthey M O B I L E

POSTHUMOUS Billy Joe Driver C L A N T O N

Henry Ed Ford P R A T T V I L L E

John Lewis T R O Y

James E. Morris, Jr. T U S C A L O O S A

Milton Parsons W E T U M P K A

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Dolly CrewesGulf Shores – Baldwin County

After a career dedicated to helping others as a nurse and educator, including twelve years as Head Nurse in a Birmingham hospital emergency room, Dolly Crewes has devoted her retirement to volunteering. “I just believe in giving back some of our

blessings,” Dolly said.

Since retiring to Gulf Shores, she has concurrently been the director of the Daybreak Senior Daycare Center and the Meals on Wheels Program. She has also taught senior community education classes on dementia, heart attacks in senior age women, and fall and injury prevention for seniors.

The Daybreak Senior Daycare Center is an outreach program for seniors with special needs, such as dementia, providing respite for caregivers. The center provides activities four hours a day, three days a week. As the inaugural director, Dolly planned the activities and recruited volunteers to conduct these daily programs.

The Gulf Shores/South Baldwin County Meals on Wheels program provides approximately 8,000 meals per year that are delivered by over 20 volunteers. As director of this program, Dolly is responsible for reviewing and interviewing applicants, arranging local restaurants to supply meals, recruiting volunteer drivers, and scheduling deliveries.

Dolly Crewes also serves on her church board and is the videographer for each church service, so shut-in seniors can view services online. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Dolly has volunteered with the drive-through mass vaccination clinics in Baldwin County.

Nominated by William J. Harrison

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Oscar C. Gadson, Jr.Tuskegee Institute – Macon County

Oscar Gadson, Jr. is 101 years old. He also has the rare distinction of being both a Tuskegee Airman and a Buffalo Soldier in World War II.

The Tuskegee Airmen are a famed group of African-American fighter pilots with the U.S. Army Air Corps, a precursor to the U.S. Air Force. The unit included navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and support staff, instructors, and all the personnel who kept the planes and pilots in the air. The Buffalo Soldiers were U.S. Army soldiers who served in segregated units under white officers from the Civil War to the end of the Korean War. In World War II, they were part of the 92nd Infantry Division and made up the only all-black American ground unit to see full-scale combat.

When asked what it was like fighting for his country with a segregated unit, he said he and his comrades had more pressing concerns. “We were just a bunch of soldiers, that’s all, like any other outfit,” Mr. Gadson said. “We didn’t have time to worry about anything like segregation.”

Before the war, Gadson studied at Florida A&M University. After leaving the service, he took part in special medical programs at the University of Kansas and the University of Tennessee. He also completed a specialized program at the U.S. Communicable Disease Center in Atlanta, which later became the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Mr. Gadson worked for forty years as a medical technologist with the VA Hospital in Tuskegee and was registered in that field through the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Nominated by Dr. Florence Pace-Tyner

8

Brenda GanttAndalusia – Covington County

While many Alabamians were using social media to maintain contact with family, friends, and co-workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brenda Gantt was using Facebook to deliver cooking videos and became an internet sensation. As a retired

teacher and avid cook, Brenda found the ideal outlet for her talents, allowing her to provide much-needed digital nourishment information and entertainment to lonely souls who were staying home during the pandemic.

Brenda began by sharing her recipe for “two-bite” biscuits on Facebook for the young ladies at her church, and, after receiving a positive reaction, she decided to share more recipes. Within two weeks, her online cooking class had gained one million views, and she had found fame as newspapers, magazines, and television shows featured interviews with her. Encouraging her viewers to embrace old-style southern cooking techniques and traditional recipes, Brenda’s growing library of instructional videos, which are recorded at the Covington County Bed and Breakfast she and her husband founded years ago, have attracted more than 2.2 million devoted followers.

With her newfound fame as an Internet celebrity, Brenda is inspiring countless retired folks and senior citizens across Alabama who are seeking new activities and second beginnings later in life. Her cookbook titled, “It’s Gonna Be Good Y’all,” will be available for purchase in November and features old family recipes and stories. Brenda is also a proud grandmother to five grandchildren.

Nominated by Liane Kelly

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Dr. Dale HuffPrattville – Autauga County

Dr. Dale Huff was called to the ministry years ago, and he has delivered the Word of God everywhere from Baptist pulpits to the Holy Land.

Dr. Huff began his ministry in south-central Tennessee and earned a Doctor of Divinity degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. During this time, he was selected to intern at the First Baptist Church in Montgomery before moving to the position of Senior Minister at the First Baptist Church of Eufaula. Years later, The First Baptist Church of Montgomery called him back to serve as Senior Pastor.

Following his retirement, the Baptist State Missions Board chose him as a Senior Staff Member. One of his primary responsibilities was to serve churches without a pastor on an interim basis. Dr. Huff has answered the call time and time again, serving as interim pastor for at least 22 Baptist churches over the years.

In addition to his work behind the pulpit, Dr. Huff has continued his ministry in the community and abroad through Bible studies, presentations, and leading tours of the Holy Land. Dr. Huff challenges his congregations to live in the same ways that he does - with devotion and dedication.

Nominated by Warner Floyd

10

William F. Joseph, Jr.Montgomery – Montgomery County

William F. (Bill) Joseph, Jr. was born in Montgomery, Alabama in 1929. He graduated from Lanier High School in 1947, and attended Auburn University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Architecture in 1952.

Following college, Mr. Joseph served two years in the Army during the Korean War. He returned to Montgomery in 1954 and joined the firm of Morton & McElhaney Consulting Engineers & Architects, where he became a partner in 1960. He ultimately retired in 2001 from Joseph & Spain Architectural Engineering.

In 1964, Mr. Joseph was elected to the Montgomery County Commission as a Republican, serving ten consecutive terms, including over thirty years as Chairman. Mr. Joseph retired from the Montgomery County Commission in November of 2004.

Mr. Joseph has been a life-long member of Trinity Presbyterian Church and has served as an Elder for many years. In 1979 he was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of America, the Church’s highest court, and served during the 1979-1980 year.

Joseph also served for many years on the Alabama and Montgomery Republican Executive Committees. He is a charter member and past President of the Capital City Kiwanis Club, a past member of the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. He is past President of the Montgomery Symphony Board of Directors. He has served several terms as Chairman of the Central Alabama Aging Consortium and the Central Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission.

Mr. Joseph has been married to the former Florence (Peggy) Charles Hall of Montgomery for 70 years. They have three sons, eight grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.

Nominated by Governor Kay Ivey

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William Laurence Goodloe LeesHoover – Jefferson County

William (Bill) Lees has been helping the seniors of Hoover for over 30 + years. He and his wife Connie (who has since passed) were instrumental in working with city leaders to ensure that citizens had a dedicated senior facility. These efforts came

to fruition in February 2007, when the doors of a new senior center were opened to over 1500 members.

Apart from this work, Bill Lees has been providing essential rides to seniors and the disabled for over 25 years. He serves in a similar role at Prince of Peace Church in Hoover, in addition to serving on the Veteran’s Committee and coordinating various church services and functions.

Most recently, he has helped those without access to computers to “get online” and schedule their COVID-19 vaccines. His unique skill sets of organization and understanding of technology have allowed him to help marshal the resources of others to assist his community.

Bill Lees has previously served in a myriad of other roles, including treasurer and president of the Hoover Soccer Club, Head Indian Chief for the YMCA’s Indian Princess program, liaison for Alabama Power’s water testing group services for Pennamotley Creek area, and treasurer and secretary for the Greater Birmingham Brewmasters.

Bill Lees was a national merit scholar and served in the US Navy aboard the USS Lowery before receiving his degree in electrical engineering at Louisiana Tech University. He worked for Western Electric/Southern Bell (which became South Central Bell) for almost 40 years, where he was a licensed professional engineer and a member of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers). Today, Bill Lees is a real estate investor and accomplished fisherman.

Nominated by Dana Henson

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Pam NicholsBirmingham – Jefferson County

Pam Nichols is a Bessemer native and lifelong advocate for the elderly and disabled.

Although she retired from a 30-year career in the healthcare field in 2013, she has made an impact on Alabama that continues today. For example, she was instrumental in the development of Eldercare Plus, Alabama’s first senior health services membership program of its kind.

Ms. Nichols has also served as a board member and officer for numerous professional, civic, and non-profit organizations. In 2007, Nichols co-founded and directed the now-retired program, Honor Flight Birmingham. The program’s mission was to honor living World War II veterans. She describes this as her greatest personal accomplishment and the one she is most proud of. Honor Flight Birmingham organized 15 flights for nearly 1, OOO WWII veterans to see the WWII Memorial and be honored for their service before it was too late.

Today she serves as Chairman of the Support Committee for the Alabama National Cemetery. She plans, coordinates, and executes all the programs at Alabama National Cemetery (ALNC), and also provides leadership for its 150 members. That leadership has included building a Scenic Overlook at ALNC and donating it to the National Cemetery Administration on January 31, 2020.

Ms. Nichols has also received numerous professional awards over the years, including the President’s Award from the AL Hospital Association and the Distinguished Service Award from the AL Association of HMOs. Other awards include the DAR Medal of Honor, VFW Veteran Advocate of the Year, NVD Soaring Eagle Award, and the ESGR Seven Seas Award.

Nominated by Bob Barefield

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Mack C. SpencerTuscaloosa – Tuscaloosa County

Mack Spencer has been recognized for his service to fellow seniors for actions such as providing transportation to doctor appointments and polling places to ensure they receive healthcare and cast their vote. He has also served as an escort for

Korean War veterans attending Rotary Club Honor Flight to Washington D.C. and has helped chair community events geared toward seniors.

Mr. Spencer was instrumental in helping more than 600 Hurricane Katrina refugees in the Taylorville Community and restoring the Taylorville Community Cemetery. Additionally, he helped create the Love Program in the Taylorville Community for seniors who need financial assistance.

Mr. Spencer is very active in his church, Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church. He has served as the Steward Board Pro-Tem and has chaired many fund-raising activities for the church, including Founders’ Day, Twelve Tribes, and Pastor’s Appreciation Day.

Nominated by Alma Wyatt Jones

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Gary WendtNorthport – Tuscaloosa County

Gary Wendt has been a faithful servant to the needs of West Alabama senior citizens and disabled individuals for many years.

In what started as building small ramps in 2005, after the April 27, 2011 tornadoes in Tuscaloosa, Mr. Wendt launched “Authentic Renovations Ministry (ARM)”, taking on building everything from ramps to small construction projects.

Through his relationships with local churches, organizations at the University of Alabama, and local youth groups, the ARM program has grown exponentially. Today, ARM acts as a catalyst by not only helping those in need but also by encouraging young people to learn to be givers and reflect on their blessings as they experience the act of serving.

“Mr. Wendt has been taking referrals from our agency and helping the elderly in our community for as long as I can remember, and I have been with the Area Agency on Aging for over 23 years,” said Debbie Gregory of West Alabama Area Agency on Aging.

Mr. Wendt has made a similar impact on so many individuals throughout his life. Still, “he never wants it to be about him,” said Steve Repke, Outreach Coordinator for the Church of the Highlands. What fuels him is simply knowing those he serves can get in and out of their homes, have solid flooring, or have access to basic needs when they cannot afford them.

Mr. Wendt is a graduate of the University of Florida, has served in the military, previously worked for General Motors, and is an ordained minister. He is also a husband, full-time caregiver, father, and grandfather.

Nominated by Debbie Gregory

15

Paul WortheyMobile – Mobile County

Paul Worthey was born and raised in Maplesville, Alabama, and has been married to his wife Zetherina for the past 45 years. Paul retired from the military as a Lt. Colonel in 2010, having served for over 32 years in active duty, the Army National Guard, and the

Reserves. In addition to his military career, Paul also served as an Alabama State Trooper from 1975 to 2000, then formed his own security business, Worthey Consulting PC, in 2010.

Worthey has also served as area Chair for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserves (ESGR) for the past 15 years. ESGR promotes cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and assists in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee’s military commitment. For the past 20 years, he has volunteered with the Mobile Optimist Club, which is a branch of the Boys and Girls Club ( BGC). For ten years Paul served on the committee of the BGC and worked with the Jr. Optimist Club at a local middle school to assist with school and community service programs.

Today, Worthey is the District Coordinator for the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Driver Safety Program and a Board Member. The AARP Smart Driver Course is the nation’s first refresher course specifically designed for drivers age 50 and older.

Nominated by Marvin Copes

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Billy Joe DriverClanton – Chilton County (Posthumous)

Billy Joe Driver served as mayor of Clanton, Alabama for over 36 years. Mr. Driver had retired with 31 years of service from the Chilton County Commission. He served 12 years on the Clanton City Council and, following his retirement, was elected mayor in

1984. Mr. Driver joined ARSEA/APEAL in 1984 and served as the state president during the 2001-2002 term.

In his nearly 50 years in politics, Mr. Driver never lost a race, and he had strong connections throughout the state, having served as President of the Alabama League of Municipalities in 2000. Mr. Driver served several years as President of the Chilton County ARSEA Chapter. He was elected mayor of Clanton for five consecutive four-year terms and was twice elected to ARSEA’s Board of Directors, representing East Central Alabama. He was a Chilton County retiree and was instrumental in achieving seven consecutive cost-of-living increases for county retirees. Mr. Driver was also very instrumental in passing the “right to go back to work” legislation for public retirees.

Nominated by Debbie Orange

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Henry Ed FordPrattville – Autauga County (Posthumous)

Henry Ed Ford was a native of Louisiana. He served in the United States Army from 1953 -1955 as a pharmacy tech at Fort Hood, Texas. His professional career included high school teacher, junior college professor, and Science Consultant for the Alabama

State Department of Education. During retirement, he served in many volunteer positions including AARP, Retired State Teachers Association, Habitat for Humanity, and Carpenters for Christ. Mr. Ford served as ARSEA Chapter President for Autauga County from 2000-2005. He served as a deacon, adult Sunday School teacher, and a Gideon.


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United States Representative John LewisTroy – Pike County (Posthumous)

United States Representative John Lewis, a son of sharecroppers, was born near Troy, Alabama. He was an apostle of nonviolence who was bloodied at Selma and across the Jim Crow South in the historic struggle for racial equality. He carried his mantle

of moral authority into Congress. On the front lines of the bloody campaign to end Jim Crow laws, with blows to his body and a fractured skull to prove it, Congressman Lewis was a valiant stalwart of the Civil Rights Movement and the last surviving speaker from the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963.

Congressman Lewis’s personal history paralleled that of the Civil Rights Movement. He was among the original 13 Freedom Riders, the black and white activists who challenged segregated interstate travel in the South in 1961. He was the founder and early leader of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, which coordinated lunch counter sit-ins. He helped organize the March on Washington, where Dr. King was the main speaker on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

On March 7, 1965, he led one of the most famous marches in American history. Over 600 people demanding the voting rights they had been denied were led by Mr. Lewis as he marched partway across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, into the waiting phalanx of state troopers in riot gear. Throughout his life, the events of Bloody Sunday were never far from his mind, and every year Mr. Lewis traveled to Selma to commemorate its anniversary. At the ceremony in 1998, Joseph T. Smitherman, who had been Selma’s mayor in 1965 and was still mayor, gave Mr. Lewis a key to the city.

Congressman Lewis was a popular speaker at college commencements and always offered the same advice - that the graduates get into “good trouble,” as he had done against his parents’ wishes.

Nominated by Glen Parker

19

James E. Morris, Jr.Tuscaloosa – Tuscaloosa County (Posthumous)

James “Jim” E. Morris, Jr. was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. Dr. Morris attended the University of Memphis and the University of Tennessee Medical School. Upon completion of medical school and during the Korean War, he enlisted in the United

States Air Force for flight surgeon training. Upon being discharged he began a residency in psychiatry at Emory University and Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Based on a connection from the Air Force, Dr. Morris relocated his family to Tuscaloosa in 1963 and accepted a position at Bryce Hospital. He served as Clinical Director at Bryce for many years while also serving as Medical Director for Indian Rivers Community Mental Health Center. He was also on staff at rural mental health centers throughout West Alabama. Dr. Morris retired and returned to practice several times and continued to work a half-day a week consulting with Bradford Health Services until the age of 88.

Dr. Morris was a member of the Tuscaloosa County Medical Society, Medical Association of the State of Alabama, American Psychiatric Association, Alabama District Branch of the American Psychiatric Association, and the Tuscaloosa and Alabama Mental Health Associations. Dr. Morris served on the Board of Directors of the Alabama Retired State Employees Association Foundation for 21 years.

Dr. Morris had an affinity for antiques and photography from an early age and made his hobbies a passion late in life as time became available. His artwork can be seen across Alabama in many of RSA’s office buildings and hotels. He exhibited at the Kentuck Festival and other art shows around the southeast. Dr. Morris was a great patron of the arts and an avid collector of art and antiques.

Nominated by Gene Brown

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Milton K. ParsonsWetumpka – Elmore County (Posthumous)

Milton Parsons was born on March 5, 1930. Mr. Parsons served in the United States Navy for 30 years, retiring as a commander. Mr. Parsons was a highly respected, principled lobbyist at the state and national level for over 53 years. He enjoyed

all outdoor activities, from hiking the Appalachian Trail to duck hunting, to teaching his grandkids to fish, and gardening. He was an alumnus of Auburn University.


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HALL OF FAME

2021 LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Dr. Elaine C. Harrington T U S K E G E E I N S T I T U T E

James Harris W E D O W E E

Joy Seybold B U T L E R

Rillie Anderson Simmons C O F F E E S P R I N G S

Thomas A. Smith M U N F O R D

Wilbur Lee Terrell, Sr. T A L L A S S E E

Lillian Thompson T U S K E G E E I N S T I T U T E

Stafford L. Thompson, Sr., Ph.D.

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Dr. Elaine C. HarringtonTuskegee Institute – Macon County

Following her illustrious career in higher education and service as Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Passaic County Community College in Patterson, NJ, Dr. Elaine Harrington returned home to Tuskegee, AL, and began her new role as a community

and organizational volunteer. Today Dr. Harrington is the Secretary of the Macon County Education Retirees Association, a Branch Program Coordinator with the local National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Secretary of the Carver Festival Board of Directors, and the Festival Education Coordinator. Dr. Harrington is also an appointed member of the Tuskegee Public Library Board of Trustees, was elected to the Tuskegee Historic Preservation Commission, and serves as the Macon County Democratic Conference Parliamentarian.

As a Civil Rights activist and advocate, Dr. Harrington is a Diamond Life Member of the NAACP, a past president of the New Jersey State Conference of the NAACP, and a former member of the NAACP National Board of Directors. She is also listed in Who’s Who among African Americans.

Even with all these accolades, one of Dr. Harrington’s most cherished projects is one for which she received no award at all. Following President Barack Obama’s reelection, Dr. Harrington spearheaded efforts to send 13 local Macon County students to Washington, D.C. to witness his inauguration. Not only were these students able to see life outside of Alabama, they also got to witness the first African-American President of the United States be sworn into office.

Dr. Elaine Harrison, affectionately known as ‘Hop-Along-Harrington’, is a native of Tuskegee, Alabama, and a lifelong advocate for her community. Dr. Harrington epitomizes the qualities of a servant-leader and is committed to bettering every life she touches.

Nominated by Dr. Florence Pace-Tyner and Sheryl Knight

23

James HarrisWedowee – Randolph County

James Harris has been an advocate for seniors throughout his active and retired life. From taking seniors in the community to church, to vote, grocery shopping, or to doctor appointments, James Harris is always finding ways to help.

A native of Randolph County, Alabama, he earned a degree in elementary education from Alabama A&M University in 1957 and a master’s in elementary education from Jacksonville State University in 1975. From there, James Harris began his career as a teacher, where he would remain for 34 years and be recognized as Teacher of the Year for Randolph County.

His commitment to education extended beyond his daily duties at school, too, as he also taught Adult Basic Education at night to educate seniors in becoming more knowledgeable citizens. He has also volunteered to advocate for his fellow teachers through service on the boards of the AEA, NEA, and the Alabama Tenure Commission.

Outside the classroom, James was heavily involved in the community and served as a member of the Wedowee Town Council (Mayor Pro-Tem) for 24 yrs. During this time, one of his most important roles was that of Council Representative for the local Senior Center. His efforts resulted in the Senior Center securing funds from the State Representative in his District.

At the county and state level, Mr. Harris serves on the Personnel and Bylaws Committee and the Budget and Finance Committee for the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission. He has also been a member of the Alabama Silver-Haired Legislature for the past 18 years.

As a retiree, he has been a member of the Randolph County Retired Educators Association for 29 yrs.; Leadership Randolph County 20 yrs.; Randolph County Cattlemen’s Board of Directors 17 yrs., and Treasurer of The Randolph County Historical Museum for 15 yrs. Finally, he is an active member of the Antioch Baptist Church where he has served as Chairman of the Deacon Board for 35 yrs. and counting.

Nominated by Jill Jackson

24

Joy SeyboldButler – Choctaw County

Joy Seybold, an elementary and high school teacher of 37 years, has always had a passion for serving others and her community. Today Joy serves as President of the Choctaw County Retired Educators Association (CCREA). Through her leadership, CCREA was

named the Local Unit of the Year by the Alabama Education Retirees Association following its work in responding to a fire that devastated the local high school. Joy has also received the AERA Community Service Award twice.

At the state level, Joy has served for four years on the Alabama Education Retirees Association Board of Directors representing six southwest Alabama counties. She has actively advocated through direct communication and meetings with local state legislators to support legislation benefiting retired educators. She has made many visits to local units throughout the district and has conducted district meetings that provided meaningful information to the retirees.

Whether through her role with CCREA or at her church, Joy is constantly thinking of unique ways to support seniors. For example, she spearheaded the launch of CCREA’s Community Service Olympics, which recognizes volunteer efforts of education retirees through an awards ceremony. Within her church, she helps coordinate its Free Shopping Spree Christmas program for local nursing home residents. This event allows residents to “shop” for family members’ gifts using donations from church members.

Ms. Seybold also serves as the Choctaw County representative of the Alabama Cemetery Preservation Alliance. In this role, she and her husband help maintain and clean neglected gravestones of veterans at local cemeteries.

She is a member of the Beta Alpha Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society and served for three years as second vice president. And, as Queen of the Sassy Red Hatters of Butler, Alabama for four years, she guides adventuresome senior ladies in the pursuit of fun through traveling, shopping, dining, social events, and friendships.


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Rillie Anderson SimmonsCoffee Springs – Geneva County

Mrs. Rillie Simmons was born 106 years ago on a small farm south of Chancellor, Alabama. Amazingly, Ms. Rillie, as she is fondly referred to, can vividly remember how her father moved his family to a larger farm near Coffee Springs when she was

just four years old. It was here where she and her eight siblings were raised while learning the value of faith, family, and the hard work of farm life while growing up during the Great Depression. These are the values she carried throughout her entire life and until this very day.

Unfortunately, during 11th grade, she fell and broke her hip, causing her to miss the entire school year. Yet, being the only sibling still left at home proved beneficial, as her father made her a promise to pay for college if she finished high school. This was almost unheard of for a rural farm girl growing up during the dark and perilous times of the Depression. Fortunately, she consented and went on to graduate with a degree in education from Troy State Teachers College. Today, she is the oldest living Troy State alumna.

Following college, Rillie Simmons began her teaching career at Bullock School in 1939. When it closed a few years later she went on to teach at Coffee Springs. She remained in this role until retirement 39 years later.

Married to Willard W. (Woodie) Simmons in 1951, they raised two sons and now have two grandchildren who give her an immeasurable amount of joy. She continued to live by herself at home after the passing of her husband in 1997, with the assistance of family and caregivers until she was 103 years old in 2018. She has since then resided at Somerset Assisted Living Facility in Dothan, Alabama where she enjoys participating in group activities, art coloring, listening to books on tape, and Word Search booklets. She is also a faithful and lifelong member of Coffee Springs First Baptist Church and the Coffee Springs Senior Center.

Nominated by Winston Simons

26

Thomas A. SmithMunford – Talladega County

Thomas A. Smith was born in Talladega County, Alabama on June 12, 1943. He graduated from Munford High School and received his BS and MPA degrees from Jacksonville State University. Following graduation, he went on to have a 35-year career with the

United States Army.

From Anniston Army Depot (ANAD) to Fort McClellan, Washington D.C., and in between, Thomas Smith served in numerous roles, including as an adjunct faculty member for the Army Center for Civilian Human Resources Management. He also served on a Task Force for the Secretary of the Army at the Pentagon. Although he began his career through an apprenticeship program as a journeyman instrument repairer, Mr. Smith would go on to ultimately retire as the head of the human resources operation at Anniston Army Depot. He has also served as coordinator for Selective Placement and was recognized by the State of Alabama for outstanding performance.

Apart from his time in the military, Mr. Smith also volunteers at church and as a Scout Leader. In fact, his involvement with the Boy Scouts spans over 50 years, where he has provided many young men with outdoor purposeful experiences to develop character and responsibility. Within the church, he has served as Chairman of the Administrative Council of Bethlehem United Methodist Church (BUMC) for ten years and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at BUMC for eight years.

In the community, he has served as manager of the Munford Water Authority for three years and as a member of the Supervisory Committee of AOD Federal Credit Union for six years. He is also a member, past VP, and past President of the Alabama Federation of National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), an organization that directly helps surviving spouses handle the final affairs of their deceased loved ones.

Thomas Smith also served on the Governor’s Committee for Handicapped Awareness and received a Certificate of Service in1973. He received a District Scouter Award in1975; a Cheaha District, Legends Award in 2006; the Silver Beaver Award, Greater Alabama Council, 2010; and completed the Woodbadge Program, Greater Alabama Council in 2011.

Nominated by Ralph J. Ballew

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Wilbur Lee Terrell, Sr.Tallassee – Tallapoosa County

Mr. Wilbur Terrell was one of the founders of the Wall Street Senior Center in 1977. While that may be decades ago, Mr. Terrell has been organizing and facilitating community-related activities even longer.

Mr. Terrell, the only child of Elder James H. Terrell and Maude Elizabeth Terrell, was a graduate of Tuskegee Institute High School. He was married to Mrs. Hattie Robinson Terrell for 65 years until her death. Together they had five children, 13 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren.

Drafted in the U.S. Army while in college, Mr. Terrell was called to service in the Korean Conflict. Yet upon his return home, he resumed college courses and graduated from Alabama State University with a degree in Physical Education. He would later go on to receive a master’s degree in Public Administration from Auburn University in Montgomery.

Mr. Terrell’s professional career includes a 39-year career at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Tuskegee, Alabama. During this time, he served as a nursing assistant, assistant chief of recreation, and later retired as chief of therapeutic recreation.

Following his retirement from the VA, Mr. Terrell joined the Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Department as a deputy sheriff and also served as a Bailiff with the Alabama 5th Judicial Circuit Court. For over 41 years, Mr. Terrell spent many of his nights and weekends serving as a high school and college athletics official.

Mr. Terrell continues to serve as a member, officer, and board member of many national, state, and local organizations. He was a board member in the American Federation of Government Employees, Commander of the American Legion Post 336, and a member of the East Alabama Regional Planning and Development Commission. He was also a Reeltown High School Trustee and a Boy Scout Master. To this date, he continues serving as an officer on the Wall St. Improvement Committee, Inc., chair of the Wall St. Water Authority Board, and chair of the Wall St. Senior Citizens Center.

Wilbur Terrell is also a master gardener, continuing the tradition of his father and grandfather before him. He is a lifelong member of the All Nations Pentecostal Foundation Churches. Inc.

Nominated by Estella Cottrell-Chatman

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Lillian ThompsonTuskegee Institute – Macon County

A native of Tuskegee, Lillian “Lil” Simms Thompson is a published author and renowned sculptor.

Mrs. Thompson began writing poetry in 1970 and, over the next 8 years, she would immerse herself in expressions on life and observations. While working in Washington D.C. Mrs. Thompson took a bus from her townhouse to her workplace. “I would listen to people on the bus and from those conversations and things that I knew, I would put those things into poems,” she said. Her poems are short and to the point, reflecting on everyday issues and a life lived with awareness, purpose, and intention.

Yet it wasn’t until 1982 that she discovered her talent for sculpting wood figures. This occurred when her son, Tuskegee Attorney Robert Thompson, suggested she start carving as a hobby in retirement. Mrs. Thompson still carves, and her Cinnamon City is on display in Robert’s Tuskegee law office. To date, she has crafted over 100 wood carvings and sculptures.

Later in life, she picked up writing once again. After reviewing numerous poems that had been stored in boxes for many years, Mrs. Thompson’s family members encouraged her to put those poems in book form. Thus came her first published book, “Lillian – Expressions of Life in Words and Wood.”


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Stafford L. Thompson, Sr., Ph.D.Enterprise – Coffee County

Stafford Thompson holds a Ph.D. in Education Leadership, an M.A. in Guidance and Counseling, and a B.S. in Mathematics. He served as President Emeritus of Enterprise State Community College for 12 years and was appointed President of the College on

March 28, 1996. He led the College through the reorganization to include the state’s aviation maintenance training programs. He obtained funding to build the Aviation Technical Training Center on the Ozark Campus. Dr. Thompson retired July 1, 2008.

Dr. Thomas served as Vice-Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs of the Alabama College System and was a former Legislative Analyst of the Florida Senate Committee of Education. He served as the Past President of the Alabama Education Retirees Association from 2019 to 2021. Dr. Thompson is currently serving as Past President Officer of Alabama Education Retirees Association Board of Directors. He is also the former Chairman of the Alabama Education Retirees Association Legislative Committee and a current member of the Coffee County Education Retirees Association.


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HALL OF FAME

2021 SPECIAL AWARDS

Community Service Award

Carl CraigC H A T O M

Josephine RobinsonS L O C O M B

Mell Lee RowserD E M O P O L I S

Rev. Anthony C. Williams, Sr.M O N T G O M E R Y

Education Award

Peg HillC O L U M B I A N A

Bettye R. MayeY O R K

Sydney G. RaineM O B I L E

Randy RobersonH O O V E R

Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Award

Terri FrancesD O T H A N

Journalism Award

Daisy WashingtonM O N T E V A L L O

Medical Award

Dr. Lisa OestreichB I R M I N G H A M

Military Award

Mark BowenL I N E V I L L E

Ron BradstreetH O O V E R

Religion Award

Donald & Lynn SchlickB I R M I N G H A M

RSVP Award

Pamela RainesP E L H A M

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COMMUNITY SERVICE

Carl CraigChatom – Washington County

A native of Chatom, Alabama, Carl Craig has donated countless hours of volunteer service to both his community and surrounding areas for over thirty years. As a “jack of all trades”, he provides a multitude of services to people of all backgrounds,

including the elderly and disabled. The Town of Chatom recognized Carl Craig’s selfless service in 2018 and provided him with the Distinguished Citizen’s Award.

Apart from his work in the community, Mr. Craig served on the Town Council for 21 years and was a volunteer fireman and Chief of the Fire Department for 26 years. He has also served on the Board of Directors for First Community Bank of Chatom, been a city league baseball coach, a Chatom Jaycees member, and has remained active in his church.

Before retirement, Mr. Craig operated Andrews True Value Hardware for 43 years as both a salesman and part-owner. Carl Craig is married to Cindy, and they have three children and seven grandchildren.

Nominated by Cleophus Stephens

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Josephine RobinsonSlocomb – Geneva County

The last of nine children, Josephine “Phine” Boykin Robinson was born in Webb, Alabama. The family later moved to Slocomb, and she graduated from Geneva High School in 1964. After high school, she left Alabama for New York to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. Her dreams soon changed, however, after meeting and marrying Mr. James Robinson, Sr. in 1966. This union led to new, motherly aspirations for Mrs. Robinson, and she and James had 3 children: Pamela, Gail, and James.

With nursing school on hold, she found other ways to help others in her community. She became involved with the Tenants Association of Long Beach Housing Authority, was a Mentor to the Youth of the Long Beach Housing Authority, and held numerous roles in her church, Christian Light Missionary Baptist Church of Long Beach, New York. She became involved in politics as well, serving as a campaign aide for Harry Harris on the Long Beach City Council and as a Director with the Long Beach Chapter of The Economic Opportunity Council.

In 1985, the opportunity to attend nursing school finally came around, and she became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). She worked in this capacity for over 16 years and specifically focused on caring for the elderly. Although her CNA career was interrupted due to an on-the-job accident in 2001, that didn’t stop her love for helping and caring for the senior population. Now using a cane to walk, she helped in other ways, including sitting with seniors, transporting them to doctor’s appointments, taking them shopping, and becoming a caregiver when needed.

In 2005, Mr. Robinson moved back to Slocomb to care for her mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. This experience is what sparked her participation in the Annual Alzheimer’s Walk; and, with a cane in hand, she continues to walk those 5 miles. Today, she is very active in the Slocomb Community and volunteers at the East Geneva Senior Center daily.

Nominated by Agnes Windsor

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Mell Lee RowserDemopolis – Marengo County

Mell Lee Rowser will be 101 years young on July 6, 2021. As a person who has been dedicated to service all her life, Mell exemplifies the qualities of hard work, perseverance, values, and ethics.

As a caregiver for other families in the community, Mell Rowser extended her genuine love to more than just her children. In addition to being a mother, she was also very active in her church and has participated in various ministries over the years.

Although she is not a college graduate, Mrs. Rowser and her late husband worked hard to ensure their children had these opportunities. They did just that. Today, she remains beloved by her community, children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren.

Nominated by Sheneedia Dorsey

Rev. Anthony C. Williams, Sr.Montgomery – Montgomery County

A native of Barnesville Georgia, Reverend Anthony Williams has made Montgomery his home for the past 37 years. Rev. Williams has pastored several churches in the area and currently serves as the pastor of New Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Shorter,

Alabama.

In addition to his work behind the pulpit, Rev. Williams founded Helping Hand food ministry in August 2015, a nonprofit which now has several distribution sites and serves 93,000 families in Macon County and the surrounding areas. Helping Hand also has a 24-hour line that allows people to contact the ministry for items when they are in need.

It is directly because of Rev. Williams’s hard work and commitment to serving others that Helping Hand has become so successful. In fact, Rev. Williams and Helping hand food ministry were recently recognized by Vance Law Firm for the work they do in the community.

Rev. Williams says his mantra for life is, “if I can help someone along life’s journey then my living has not been in vain.”


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EDUCATION AWARDS

Peg HillColumbiana – Shelby County

“Jesus went about doing good. That’s what we have to do,” said 70-year-old Columbiana native Peg Hill. After retiring from her 33-year career in education, Ms. Hill was at a loss as to how she would fill the void of retirement. Thanks to a phone call from Captain Jay Fondren in the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department asking if she would consider overseeing the Shelby County Jail Ministry, she found her new calling. She has now been volunteering in this capacity for 20 years.

The program began seeking volunteers and initiating training. They teach from the Bible, pray with the inmates, provide counseling, distribute Bibles, and provide goodies at Christmas time. Teams enter the jail on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Friday nights, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons.

Ms. Hill’s entire life has been about education. Her parents were also educators. She received her bachelor’s, master’s, and educational specialist degrees from the University of Montevallo. She was a teacher at Columbiana Middle School for eight years and Elvin Hill Elementary for seven years. As an administrator, she was the Assistant Principal of Thompson Elementary for three years, B.B. Comer Memorial Elementary in Sylacauga for five, and Winterboro for three years.

Even though she is retired, Ms. Hill’s face is a familiar one at Elvin Hill, where she donates her time helping in the classroom. She is a member of the Shelby County Board of Education. Hill also inherited her father’s spirit of volunteerism, and she remains involved in the local Kiwanis Club and the First Baptist Church of Columbiana.


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Bettye R. MayeYork – Sumter County

Mrs. Bettye R. Maye is a native of York, Alabama, and was a high school English teacher in the public schools of Sumter County for 38 years. She received her higher education degrees from Alabama State University and Livingston University. She did further studies at Tuskegee University and Simmons College in Boston, Massachusetts.

Mrs. Maye is a born educator who loves children and loves teaching. She has always been active in the political arena on both the local, state and national levels. She is a trailblazer, having been the first black to be hired as an associate professor at Livingston University, now UWA, in 1973.

In January 1979, Mrs. Maye was selected by Governor Fob James to serve as a delegate at the Alabama Governor’s Conference on Library and Information Services. She was elected as an alternate delegate to the National Democratic Convention and she serves as an elected member of the Alabama Democratic Executive Committee.

In addition to being active in the political arena, she is a leader in the educational arena as well. She served as a member of the Alabama Education Association (AEA) Board of Directors for two terms, president of the Alabama Association for Classroom Teachers, treasurer of the Southeast Region Association of Classroom Teachers, and president of the Sumter County Association of Retired Educators. She was also elected as a member of the board of the Silver-Haired Legislators Organization and is a member of the Sumter County Department of Human Resources where she serves as the chairperson.

Mrs. Maye served two terms on the Board of Trustees at the University of South Alabama. Just one year after her last term expired, she was selected as the Commencement Speaker for the USA Spring Commencement ceremony.

She is a dedicated and hardworking member of the First Baptist Church of Livingston Alabama, where she is a Sunday School teacher, choir member, deaconess, and member of the Missionary Society. Mrs. Maye serves as secretary of Les Femmes Social Club and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.

Mrs. Maye was married to the late Lloyd C. Maye, a political activist and the first black to be elected to the York City Council. She has two children, four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.


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Sydney G. RaineMobile – Mobile County

Sydney G. Raine is a 1963 graduate of Central High School in Mobile, Alabama, and a 1967 graduate of Grambling State University in Louisiana. Today, Raine is President of Southwest Alabama Partnership for Training and Employment.

Raine is involved in numerous business and civic activities and has served as past chairman of the Franklin Primary Health Center Board and chairman and founding member of the 100 Black Men of Greater Mobile. He serves as a member of the Board with the following organizations: Alabama Workforce Investment Board, Drug Education Council, and Feeding the Gulf Coast. He is a 1974 graduate of Leadership Mobile and a 1996 Graduate of Leadership Alabama

Raine has also received numerous awards, including the 1976 Outstanding Youth Men of America Award, the 1983 Mobile Alumni Chapter Kappa Alpha Psi Man of the Year, the 1991 Distinguished Leadership Award from the National Association for Community Leadership, the 1991 Superior Individual Performance Award from the National Alumni Council, UNCF, Inc., the 1992 Outstanding Service Award from the National Association of Counties, the 1998 Presidential Award from the Southeastern Employment and Training Association, and the Partners in Progress Award from the State Office of Workforce Development.

Raine is a member of the Mobile Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and State Street A.M.E. Zion Church. He and his wife of 50 years, Ursell, are the proud parents of two adult children and four grandchildren. He has advocated for senior citizens for job assistance, health assistance, and through Franklin Primary Health, has advocated for a wellness center where retired and working seniors participate in and support a healthy lifestyle.

Nominated by Herbert White

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Randy RobersonHoover – Jefferson County

As an ordained minister, certified prosthetist, and community leader, 68-year old Randy Roberson leads a full life of service and devotion.

He is pastor of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Sylacauga, Alabama, licensed by the State of Alabama as a certified prosthetist, and is a board member of Skilled Knowledgeable Youth (SKY), a 501c3 founded by his close friend, Brian Copes.

First introduced to SKY in 2013, Roberson was asked if he would become a teaching specialist to oversee the prosthetic manufacturing of devices developed by high school students for use in under-developed countries. The SKY program exposes youth to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) projects. Students help create low-cost prosthetic limbs. “My work with SKY allows me to use my profession to help others. It is a call to minister in the name of education,” says Roberson.

Roberson’s volunteer work with SKY has taken him to four different countries in Africa. He has spent eight years going back and forth to Ghana working with patients. He has been to Africa 13 times. During the first four years, he did so in a ministry capacity, assisting in the establishment of a seminary in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. His work with SKY also took him to Central America where he worked with patients in Honduras.


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AREA AGENCY ON AGING (AAA) AWARD

Terri FrancisDothan – Houston County

Terri Francis has been involved with the aging community for 40 years. She began her career in 1980 following graduation from Huntingdon College when she worked as an activity director and with social services in nursing homes and retirement centers in Alabama early in her career. She served as the Director of Older Adult Ministries at First United Methodist Church in Dothan for 15 years. Currently, she is the Director of Community Resources at SARCOA, the Area Agency on Aging which serves the seven counties of the wiregrass. She has been with SARCOA for the last 7 years.

Her passion is working with older adults to make their later years as happy and stress-free as possible. Her job at SARCOA is finding and coordinating resources to make this happen. She has served on the Bishops Task Force for Older Adults for the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church, where she coordinated events and retreats. Ms. Francis is on the Alumni Board of Huntingdon College, has served as president, and is a past member of the board of trustees. She recently received the Huntingdon College Alumni Loyalty Award.

Nominated by Ann S. Holman

39

JOURNALISM AWARD

Daisy WashingtonMontevallo – Shelby County

Daisy Washington volunteers with the Shelby County RSVP as receptionist and writer for the Shelby County RSVP newsletter. She calls approximately 1,200 RSVP volunteers on their birthdays and assists with events such as the Yellow Dot

enrollment program, job fairs, senior picnics, health fairs, and the RSVP Recognition Brunch. She has been asked to be a guest columnist for the Shelby County Reporter on stories highlighting Shelby RSVP seniors. Washington also volunteers with the Middle Alabama Area Agency on Aging, Alacare Home Care & Hospice, Friends of the Albert L. Scott Library, Shelby County School Bus Road-E-O, and the Saints Assembly Seventh Day Holiness Church.


40

MEDICAL AWARD

Dr. Lisa OestreichBirmingham – Jefferson County

“I’ve always enjoyed volunteering. It allows me to give back what I have been so fortunate to receive. Through several medical missions in Africa, it opened my eyes to those with fewer resources which was of no fault of their own. It brings me joy to provide for those in

need. In the current medical climate, caring for the patient can be lost amongst the paper/computer work. Volunteering at the Community of Hope Health Clinic provides me with a real sense of what practicing medicine means to me. It is both an art and a science.” These are the words of retired physician Lisa Oestreich, who volunteers her time at Community of Hope Health Clinic (CHHC).

Dr. Oestreich began volunteering when the Clinic opened in 2008. Now, at 62 years old, Dr. Oesfreich continues to volunteer at the clinic despite retiring from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in 2017. Located in Pelham, CHHC is a medical mission that provides non-emergent medical care to Shelby County adults who have no health insurance and whose household income is at or below 200% of the poverty level. “Ever since I began volunteering at the CHHC, I remain amazed at the dedication, support, and quality of care the clinic provides,” said Oestreich.

Other than four paid employees, the clinic is run completely by volunteers. This includes nurses, interpreters, and a variety of other clerical staff. It is funded through donations and Baptist Medical Center in Shelby County. Dr. Oestreich is a board-certified neurologist who provides this specialty care at the CHHC. The clinic also has volunteer physicians in other subspecialties such as rheumatology, orthopedics, sports medicine, dermatology, oncology, and others, aside from general medical practitioners. The CHHC works very hard to provide other areas of medical care including surgical specialties through various patient assistance programs.


41

MILITARY AWARDS

Mark BowenLineville – Clay County

Major General Mark Bowen has lived an interesting and full life. Married for nearly six decades, the 81 -year-old retired pharmacist resides in a two-story, circa 1930s farmhouse in Lineville, Alabama. His union with Sandra blessed the couple with two

children and three grandchildren. The middle of three children, Bowen recalls the unusual circumstance surrounding his entry into the world. “I was delivered at home by a doctor that was blind,” he said. Bowen was born in Randolph County in the community of Wadley.

After graduating from Lineville High School in 1958, he attended Auburn University where he earned a B.S. Degree in Pharmacy. He was inspired by his brother-in-law George who already had a pharmacy degree, and then proceeded to become a physician. Mr. Bowen completed a one-year internship at Hood’s Pharmacy in an area known as The Valley. He established another pharmacy operation in Wadley. Mr. Bowen was a pharmacist for thirty-four years, retiring in 2000. “You got to make a living,” Bowen explained about tenure as a pharmacist. Although retired for the past twenty years, he has maintained his license as a pharmacist by completing fifteen hours of continuing education annually. He works as a relief pharmacist when called upon.

In 1956 at the age of 16, Mr. Bowen joined the National Guard. His mother “signed for him to join but was not so happy to see him go,” Bowen recalled. “I went from Boy Scouts to the National Guard,” he added. Over the next 49 years, Bowen excelled in the military. He went from being enlisted to becoming an officer, from Sergeant to Lieutenant and eventually Major General. “I commanded every level in the National Guard and I loved it,” he said, describing the experience. “I had a good wife, she took care of the pharmacy and the farm, and she let me play Army,” he said. Mr. Bowen’s son and daughter are veterans, and he has a grandson who is a Guardsman. He retired from the military in 2000.

After being asked by Governor Bob Riley to serve as a cabinet member, Bowen was appointed Adjutant General (two-star). “It’s all about the soldiers, that is why I am still involved with the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve,” he said. A volunteer since 1985, Bowen’s role is visiting the Armories. He conducts pre-and-post deployment briefings, as well as the annual briefing, making sure that soldiers understand their rights. In addition to work with ESGR, he served on the Clay County Board of Education for eight years. He taught Sunday School at Lineville First United Methodist Church for forty years.


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Ron BradstreetHoover – Shelby County

From Jacksonville, Florida to Gardendale, Alabama, with a lengthy stint in Vietnam, Ronald Franklin Bradstreet has lived an enviable life. Three elements — family, service, and hard work — have carried him through good times and bad. As an only child in Jacksonville,

he recalled, “There were not a lot of multi children families.” That all changed when the family moved to Gardendale. “There were a lot of multi-children families where we lived in Gardendale-about a zillion! It was great! It was a great place for an only child to grow up.”

In 1977 Bradstreet earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Rollins College and in 1993 he graduated from Troy University in Ft. Benning, GA where he earned his master’s degree in Human Resources Management. Ron married his wife, Vanessa, an Alabama native in 1984. Ron and Vanessa will celebrate their thirty-seventh wedding anniversary this November. The Bradstreet’s credit their respect of the other’s hobbies and willingness to share goals as the key to their healthy relationship.

Bradstreet enlisted in the United States Army after graduating high school in 1967. He served two tours in Vietnam where he worked as a teletype operator. He has more than twenty years of active duty. “I liked the chance to travel that the military gave me. I worked with a ‘can do attitude’ with people who were interesting to work with. They were dedicated. loved being a soldier and loved my soldiers.” Discharged from the Army in 1971, he enjoyed four-and-a-half years as a deputy sheriff with Volusia County (Daytona Beach). He said he enjoyed the investigative aspect of the position and the good feeling associated with “catching the bad guys”. After retirement from the military in 1994, he became a U.S. Army Jr. ROTC instructor where he served until 2014. Due to his interest and experience in teaching, he became a substitute schoolteacher until 2016, primarily teaching high-school-level courses.

Bradstreet became a member of the American Legion Post 347 in Fairfield in 2003. In 2006, he was asked to be Commander at Post 911 in Hoover. Since that time, he has risen in the American Legion ranks. For two years he was 21st District Commander for Jefferson County with its eighteen posts. Ron ran for state office and was elected Senior Vice Commander for the Department of Alabama American Legion where he served for a year. In 2019 he was elected as Commander. “I’m responsible for everything,” he said. “Membership and programs caused me to travel all over the state visiting Posts. I enjoy traveling and connecting with the people, the Legionnaires, the American Legion family, and all the great programs the American Legion has. The best part is being able to help veterans and their families.”

In addition to his considerable Legion duties, Bradstreet also supports additional military organizations including the Support Committee for the Alabama National Cemetery (ALNC), Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Officers Association of America, Blue Star Salute, Vietnam Veterans of America. He also serves as an associate member of the Marine Corps League.


43

RELIGION AWARDS

Donald SchlickBirmingham – Shelby County

Some people desire to do good for others - to make a difference in the lives of individuals. Others can improve the lives of thousands. This is the case for Donald Schlick, a Wheeting, West Virginia native.

After completing high school, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Pittsburg. He received his master’s degree in Public Administration and worked as a mining engineer. He later became head of the Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration (MESA).

Working through the U.S. Agency for International Development, he worked to help less developed countries develop their natural resources. “I enjoyed the job very much,” he said. He spent ten years in Pakistan where his work was both exciting and sometimes dangerous. On one occasion, he helped rescue three men out of a mine after a roof collapse. Schlick was presented the Valor Award, the highest government safety award for his act of heroism. In his spare time in Pakistan, Schlick authored a book entitled Modern Oriental Carpet. His tenure with MESA included enforcing all federal safety and health regulations in underground and surface mines. He recalls being on the scene of Idaho’s worst mining tragedy, the Sunshine Mine Disaster, which claimed the lives of ninety-one miners.

After he retired from the federal government in 1980, he served for six years as Vice President of Operations for Jim Walter Resources. The Company operated five of the deepest (2200 feet) underground mines in North America. Schlick’s employment tour continued with another 14 years at the U.S. Department of Energy where he was responsible for construction health and safety at the Nevada Test Site, which is responsible for testing nuclear weapons.


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Lynn SchlickBirmingham – Shelby County

Lynn Schlick was the Director of the Columbiana Family History Center for four years. In 2019 she became the Director of the Birmingham Family History Center. She was inspired through her membership with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, where she has been a member for the past six years. Lynn was asked to serve in Columbiana and then as a Family Search Missionary. History Centers have access to the Family History Center Portal page which gives free access to premium family history software and websites. As a Family Search Missionary, Lynn assists people interested in finding their ancestors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Family History Center has been closed, but patrons can still use the Center’s services.

She is also a member of the Alabama Genealogical Society (AGS), District 4, which serves Shelby, Jefferson, and Walker counties. AGS assists and supports the research of its members by finding, safeguarding, preserving, and publishing records of Alabama families and their history. It is the only genealogical society in Alabama that serves all 67 counties. In addition, Lynn Schlick is a member of the Shelby County Historical Society (SCHS). Her work has involved indexing, digitizing, and family search training for SCHS. Mrs. Schlick earned a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Alabama, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She is a native of Washington, D.C., and is the oldest of three children. Employed by the federal government for twenty years, she was a budget analyst with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mining Enforcement and Safety Administration.


45

RSVP AWARD

Pamela RainesPelham – Shelby County

Pamela Raines was born in Seattle Washington, at Fort Lawton, during her father’s time in the U.S. Army. Her family settled in Alabama, her father’s birthplace when she was fourteen years old. The youngest of two children, Pamela has been married to Clendon since 2006. Together, they

are the proud parents of five children and two grandchildren. Both Pamela and Clendon Raines are cancer survivors. From 1998 to 2008 she was employed at the Shelby County Board of Education as a secretary. “It was the best job that I have ever had. I had the most amazing Christian bosses. They were generous and kind. They set good examples,” she said.

Mrs. Raines is the current President of the Columbiana Culture Club (CCC). Her term will run through 2022. Organized in 1910 and federated in 1915 by the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Columbiana Culture Club is a service organization limited to 24 women who have made numerous contributions and committed countless volunteer hours to their community in the last 100 years. “l love the fact that they give back to the community,” she said. Some of their fundraising proceeds support local area schools’ media centers including Elvin Hill, Shelby, and Wilsonville Elementary Schools, Columbiana Middle School, Shelby County Career Cottage, and Shelby County High School. CCC is a big contributor to the RSVP Masks of Love project and the ladies of CCC have been busy during the pandemic. Since the onset, they have been making masks. To date, these phenomenal ladies have created more than 2,000 masks to communities across America including firemen in Queens, New York; doctors in Columbiana, Alabama; Nonagenarians (including a 97-year-old cyclist) and Centenarians, grandbabies, those in the medical community, and pastors and congregants at churches.

Said Raines, “I am very involved in my church, Columbiana United Methodist. I love my church family. They are the center of my life!” A member for the past five years, she is involved with several fundraising efforts. One such event was “Pound Out Cancer”, which raised money to offset the medical expenses of a cancer patient. “Pounds for Sounds” assisted in the goal to raise $12,000 for a new sound system. The goal was met through donations, with most of the money from cake sales within a three-month time frame. She also organized the Kindness Kasseroie Ministry, which makes casseroles for individuals who are hospitalized, bereaved, or shut-in. For the past 2 years, the project has assisted church and community friends. On average, one casserole each week is donated to someone in need. Money for meal ingredients is donated by the 12-member Business Rocks Sunday School Class.

Mrs. Raines does all of the cooking for these projects. “I love to cook. My mother taught me to bake when was about 10 years old. I’ve been baking ever since.” Clendon and Pamela Raines are members of the CUMC choir and Pamela has served on the Board of Trustees for the past four years. From January 2017 to December 2018, she was the United Methodist Women’s President. She now serves as the secretary. “Everything I have belongs to God. Without Him I am nothing. He empowers me to serve others, and by doing so I serve Him.”


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COUPLES MARRIED

65 YEARS OR MORE

James & Bebe BarnettN O R T H P O R T

Richard & Betty Lou BaumgartenH O O V E R

Arthur & Eula CarlisleM A C O N

Walter & Rosa CooleyT U S K E G E E

John & Joyce CulpM A D I S O N

Willie Fred & Lurleen HarrisonG R A D Y

Raymond & Laurel HendrixA L E X A N D E R C I T Y

William & Peggy JosephM O N T G O M E R Y

Orien & Wyvette LedfordF O R T P A Y N E

Lonnie & Clara NeelyT U S C A L O O S A

Thurman & Carol StephensS U L L I G E N T

John & Lillie WilliamsU N I O N S P R I N G S

Harold & Agnes WindsorS L O C O M B

47

SENIOR CITIZENS

100 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER

Emma BaileyB I R M I N G H A M

Bertha BarleyD E M O P O L I S

Lula Vivian Williams BeechC H A T O M

Carrie BillupsB I R M I N G H A M

Julia ChappellA L I C E V I L L E

Lorene CochranA L B E R T V I L L E

Bessie DavisA L I C E V I L L E

Effie Olivia EdwardsG E R B O

Oscar C. Gadson, Jr.T U S K E G E E I N S T I T U T E

Dorothy HarcrowR E F O R M

Loyce Morgan HenaganD O Z I E R

Nella KingT U S C A L O O S A

Thelma E. MillerT U S K E G E E

Vera MoodyC A M D E N

Clara NeelyT U S C A L O O S A

Lonnie NeelyT U S C A L O O S A

Alzenia PhillipsT U S K E G E E

Rochelle RobinsonS P A N I S H F O R T

Mell Lee Rowser

Demopolis

Laura SandersB I R M I N G H A M

Rillie Anderson SimmonsC O F F E E S P R I N G S

Lillian ThompsonT U S K E G E E I N S T I T U T E

Emma VaitonB I R M I N G H A M

Nancy WilsonT U S C A L O O S A

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alabama senior citizens hall of fame

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