Published: July 25, 2008 09:23 pm      

Senior Saints HOF inductees to be named

By TESA CULLI

tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Nominations for the 11th Annual Senior Saints Hall of Fame have been distributed to judges from outside the area, and those who will be honored this year are expected to be announced in two weeks, according the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Floyd Brookman.

“We received about 15 applications and they were handed over to the judges this week,” Brookman said. “We had some really good applications, and one in particular I believe everyone will be happy about.”

Although Brookman wouldn’t reveal any of those nominated, he said adding an extra week to the nomination period was beneficial.

“We had a surge of nominations received during the last three or four days,” Brookman said. “By adding the extra week, we got a few more applications. There’s now a good selection to choose from.”

The Senior Saints Hall of Fame was started 11 years ago to honor the work of seniors in the community who have exhibited community service, shown a love of country and community, who have exemplified the ability to embrace change and to persevere in the face of adversity. Those who are honored must have been 65 years of age or older on Jan. 1, been living on Jan. 1, and a resident of Jefferson County not holding a political office. The nominations and three letters of recommendation are sent outside the area for judging to determine those selected for the hall of fame.

Past members of the Senior Saints Hall of Fame who have been inducted include:

1998: Laura Cheatham, Gilbert Coleman, Despo Paviedes, A.P. Petties, Arthur Edminson, Irv Nathlich, Clyde Lee, Melvin W. Clinton, John H. Kent, Marie Fairchild, Ann Howard, John Lester and J.L. Buford;

1999: Betty Lipps, Bernice Breeze, Joe P. Boyle, Vernon French, Harold Damron, Bob Lipps, Ken Miller, Fleta Neal, Russell Pasley, Rozier L. Scrivner, Dan Sonsini and John Kendrick;

2000: Everett Atkinson, Bob Beck, Margaret Benton, Anne Garrison, Donald Hahn, Frank Hazlip, Joan Kent, Virginia Riley, Ellis Roane, Merle Tate, Christina Stables and Samuel Totten;

2001: Harley Woods, Bill Rockett, Everett LeMay, Oma Jones, William “Doc” and Dot Hayman, Hank Hannah, Lois Gardiner, Ezra Frralley, James “Doc” Ansley, Ted Buck, Marion “Pop” Farmer and Marge Farrar;

2002: Cyril Barton, Genevieve Laird Brinkman, Maxine Higgins, Lyle G. Endicott, Sylvia Lane, James Roderick, Royal Hugh Story, Calvin Williams, Estella Ross and Bertie Ham;

2003: Donald Baker, Dorothy Baker, Alfred Bean, Chester Connaway, John Nelson Cowen, the Rev. Leroy Dude, Clifford R. Fields, Nancy Germann, Jack M. Goldman, Ardell Kimmel, Wilma Kimmel and Clarea E. Sonsini;

2004: Gertie Bullock, John Downey, Norman Edson, Joan Goldman, Ken Highsmith, Ida Mae Jackson, Bill Ligon, Mack Piper, Sibyle Prosise, Nancy Schutte, Eloise Turrel and John Turrel;

2005: Dr. Rebecca Brewer, Marvene Edson, Don Fairchild, Kenneth Holland, Anita Hunt, Irma Jones, George Kuhn, Alice Lyle, Lucille Marshall, Frank Scherrer, Douglas Smothers and Christine Louise Tucker;

2006: Allene Frances Black Anderson, Walter Clausel, Donald Dement, Ann Endicott, Betty Glover, Gary Hodge, Don Mullinax, Don Peacock, Charles Sadler and Vera Thompson;

2007: Edward Percy Atkinson, Marcus Garvey Blakemore, Arline Howard, Betty McKenzie, Devea Mestel, Bruce Miles, Margaret Nathlich, Jack and Ann Overstreet, Joe Bob Pierce, Thomas Puckett, Earl Spohr and Mose Stokes Jr.

Those chosen for induction this year will be honored during the Senior Saints Banquet which will be held Sept. 26.