MONTGOMERY — An outstanding group of senior adults was honored Sunday, August 21, 2022, with induction into the Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Montgomery. In addition to the 10 permanent inductees into the Hall of Fame, other seniors were recognized for contributions and service to their communities.
The 2022 Senior Citizens Hall of Fame inductees are: Johnny Crear, Selma; Ann P. Gordon, Atmore; James Harris, Wedowee; Gwendolyn Howard, Gordon; Albert Kirkland, Dothan; Mal Dewayne McGhee, Atmore; Andrew Michael Onderdonk, Chatom; Colonel Shirley Rogers, Tuskegee; Dr. David Thrasher, Montgomery; and George Anthony Yarbrough, Prattville.
Special awards were presented to 19 senior citizens for outstanding service in other categories, including Lifetime Achievement, Community Service, Military, Religion, Government, and Volunteerism. Twenty-two couples who have been married 65 years or more, and 22 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 Americans.
Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame 2022
Permanent Membership
Class of 2022
Johnny Crear
Selma
Ann P. Gordon
Atmore
James Harris
Wedowee
Gwendolyn Howard
Gordon
Albert Kirkland
Dothan
Mal Dewayne McGhee
Atmore
Andrew Michael Onderdonk
Chatom
Colonel Shirley Rogers
Tuskegee
Dr. David Thrasher
Montgomery
George Anthony Yarbrough
Prattville
Lifetime Achievement
Dr. Tom and Jeanie Glynn
Huntsville
Judy P. Lockhart
Auburn
Edward Nettles
Montgomery
Harold White
Tuskegee Institute
Community Service Award
Gloria Crosby
Georgiana
Shirley Eiland
Selma
Barbara Gibson Johnson
Mobile
Tommie L. Swanson O’Neal
Union Springs
Valerie Price Reubin
Minter
Jimmie L. Rogers
Tuskegee
Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Award
Jeanette Alexander
Tuskegee Institute
Martha Smith
Moundville
Marjorie Spence
Moundville
Government Award
Dr. Willie Kirk, Jr.
Tuskegee
Journalism Award
Noah Hopkins
Tuskegee
Military Award
John E. Newton
Dothan
Religion Award
Mary Turner
Warrior
RSVP Award
Mary L. Harris
Tuskegee
Media Release/Alabama Department of Senior Services
