Class Of 2024 Inducted Into Alabama Senior Citizens Hall Of Fame

Class Of 2024 Inducted Into Alabama Senior Citizens Hall Of Fame

An outstanding group of senior adults was honored Sunday afternoon with induction into the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Prattville. In addition to the 10 permanent inductees into the Hall of Fame, other seniors were recognized for contributions and service to their communities.

The 2024 Senior Citizens Hall of Fame inductees are: Rick Courson, Daphne; Dr. Verdell Lett Dawson, Selma; Ray Edwards, Valley; Michael C. Gillespie, Huntsville; Peggy Gomez, Mobile; Thera G. Herring, Prattville; Martha Poole Simmons, Montgomery; James Spann, Birmingham; Barbara Whitehead, Cullman; and Patricia K. Wise, Pinson. Martha John Allison, Montgomery, and Joan States-Davidson, Daphne were posthumously inducted.

Special awards were presented to 26 senior citizens for outstanding service in other categories, including Lifetime Achievement, Community Service, Education, Religion, Government, Medical, Performing Arts, and Volunteerism. Twenty-six couples who have been married 65 years or more, and 20 individuals who are 100 years old or older, were also recognized during the program.

"This is the one major event in Alabama each year where individuals are formally honored and recognized for their selfless advocacy and dedication to serving older adults in their community," said Jean Brown, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Senior Services. "We are proud to celebrate the achievements of the Alabamians selected for the Senior Citizens Hall of Fame awards."

Those honored in the Hall of Fame ceremony were nominated by members of their community and chosen by the Senior Citizens Hall of Fame Selection Committee. The Hall of Fame was created by the Alabama Legislature in 1983 to honor and recognize Alabamians aged 60 and older for their outstanding contributions to the lives of older Alabamians.

The 2023 Hall of Fame Program is available by clicking here Photos of the recipients are available at Flickr.com/photos/alabamaageline/albums.