Magic of Aging

September 2007

by R. H. Carter

Special Thanks to the Senior Citizens Center Board of Directors

{sidebar id=1}The services provided by the Wakulla County Senior Citizens have experienced a noticeable increase in recent years as our senior population has increased. Our community often makes comments to me about how they appreciate what we do. I frequently say that our Board of Directors makes it possible for us to provide these services. The Board of Directors is a group of volunteers that serve the senior citizens in Wakulla County far beyond what our community can see. None of our activities or services can occur without the support of our board.

The agenda for the August 21st board meeting lists regular items such as minutes and financial statements. It also includes such items as additional kitchen equipment, Western Day on August 24th, Friday night senior dance on August 30th and closing on tax credit funding for the apartments. The Board is actively involved in the operation of our senior center. I normally do not write enough about the greatness of our board since there are so many senior activities to discuss. This month I am sharing some information about each board member because they are so important to our operation. They are listed in the same order as they appear on our letterhead.

Peggy Mackin, Chair: Peggy is retired from the financial service industry. She and Jerry volunteer their time serving several service organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. Peggy has served on our board over 20 years and has served as chair for most of that time. She is an active member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Medart. She continues to be a very successful fundraiser.

Anita Townsend, Vice Chair: Anita has become a legend in Wakulla County serving the healthcare need of our County during the last half century. She continues to serve our county as a senior citizens board member, board member emeritus for the Chamber of Commerce and several healthcare boards. Her late husband, C.L. Townsend was employed in our school system and served as Superintendent of Schools in the 1960's and 1970's.

Sherida Crum, Secretary/Treasurer: Sherida was secretary to the Superintendent of Schools for many years. Later she became a legal secretary until she became the Supervisor of Elections. She has served our county in that capacity for many years. Her late husband, George E. Crum, owned and operated a structural steel business and was a generous contributor to our senior programs. Sherida has served on the senior board since long before they employed me.

Ruby Allen: Ruby has served on the senior board many years. She is retired from our school system’s preschool program. She has volunteered on several committees in our school system and community. She and her late husband, Reverend Isaac Allen were actively involved in helping our school system achieve desegregation peacefully in the 1960's and obtained federal funding to help our schools and county accomplish the worthwhile goal.

Linda Boles: Linda is very involved in several non-profit organizations that serve our county. The senior board and the business woman’s professional organization have greatly benefited from her support. She and her husband Ray Boles have been very generous financial supporters of the senior citizens. Ray served on the senior board several years before she became a member.

Beulah King: Beulah has been employed in the restaurant business most of her career. She continues to be energetic in all that she does. Her career has allowed her to serve our community in many ways. She also manages her rental property and other real estate. She is well known throughout Wakulla County and brings a very broad perspective to the senior board.

Larry Massa: Larry is a major with the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Department. I became familiar with Larry when he served as resource officer in Wakulla High School. He is still active in fund raising activities for several youth groups, and is active with the annual youth fishing tournament sponsored by the Coastal Optimist Club. He often helps with cookouts at the senior center and works hard to raise senior funding.

Cheryll Olah: Cheryll serves as the Tax Collector for Wakulla. She replaced Ronnie Kilgore on the senior board. Cheryll began working in county government as secretary to the county attorney while she was in high school. Later she became secretary to the late Judge A.L. Porter. She has given so much to our county working with service organizations such as the senior citizens and Habitat for Humanity. She inherited her generosity from her Aunt Ruby. Cheryll is our newest board member and loves to come in to visit with the seniors.

James Taylor: James is a former member of the Wakulla County School Board and the Wakulla County Commission. He has been the anchor of the VFW program for many years. He has worked closely with our seafood industry. He has served several years on the senior board. He spends most of his time as caregiver to his wife with health issues. However he still finds time to serve the senior citizens of our county.

Susan Payne-Turner: Susan is employed by Wakulla Bank. She works with so many service organizations in Wakulla County that I could not begin to list. If I had to make a list, I would put senior citizens at the top. Susan has made serving seniors a top priority in her life. Her commitment to her church and our community has brought her to the senior citizens to serve both through personal service and financial support. Her husband, Chuck Turner is in the printing business and also serves to help seniors.

Queen Webster: Queen is retired from teaching in the Wakulla Schools. She was honored as “Teacher of the Year” and shares that level of commitment in all the service organizations that she serves. I remember that she worked very hard as a member of the Wakulla High Blue Ribbon Committee that planned the high school addition that was larger than the then existing school. She is very active with relay-for-life and regularly is helping other people with health problems.

Ruth Williams: Ruth is retired from teaching in the Wakulla County School System. She has committed her entire life to serving others. Her children recognize this and have followed her lifestyle. She works diligently serving her church and community. This commitment to serve makes her a great ambassador for our seniors. Her late husband, Rufus Williams, was principal of the former Shadeville High School. He will always be remembered for his contributions to our community and schools.

As you can see, we have a great Board of Directors. They make our system work. They do establish direction, adopt policies and support the employees as they work daily to achieve established goals within the framework of our Board Policies.

This article originally published on August 28, 2007.

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