Nominations sought for Athens Citizen of the Year

(Post sponsored by Tinsley Title, Holt Wrecker, R&R lawn specialists, Gibson Pharmacy)

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 Citizen of the Year Award, which will be presented at the Athens Chamber or Commerce's Annual Gala on Jan. 25, 2025, at the Athens Country Club.

The deadline for submitting a nomination is Dec. 13.

This award recognizes an Athens-area resident who has demonstrated remarkable dedication to enhancing the quality of life in the community, often through volunteer efforts and contributions beyond their regular work. Nominees should embody a generous community spirit, strong leadership, civic pride, vision, and a deep commitment to Athens.

The winner is selected by a committee composed of recent Citizens of the Year honorees.

“Each year, we look forward to seeing the nominations for this award,” said Kristin Willingham, executive director of the Athens Chamber of Commerce. “We are privileged to have so many remarkable people in our community who tirelessly give their time and talents to make Athens a better place.”

Submit nominations by hand-delivering or mailing a letter of recommendation in a sealed envelope marked “Citizen of the Year” to the Athens Chamber of Commerce at 201 West Corsicana Street, Suite 1, Athens, TX 75751.

Alternatively, nominations can be submitted online here.

For questions, please contact the Chamber at athenstxchamber@outlook.com.

Past Citizens of the Year

• 1966 - Orval Pirtle

• 1971 - R.E. (Dick) Dwelle

• 1972 - John Hackley

• 1973 - Peggy Gould and Nell Velvin

• 1974 - Woodrow Walker

• 1975 - Vivian Tumlinson

• 1976 - Tommy Smith and Susan Bush

• 1977 - Bill Nieman and Jan Thomas

• 1978 - Shirley Ward

• 1979 - Joy Angel and Jimmie Del Moore

• 1980 - Charles Lee

• 1981 - Harold Arnold and Willis Moore

• 1982 - John Stewart Jr.

• 1983 - Mary Lou Williams

• 1984 - Robert A. Gould

• 1985 - Helen Wilbanks

• 1986 - W.R. (Bill) Caldwell and Ginger Morton

• 1987 - Hugh Armstrong

• 1988 - Margaret Myers

• 1989 - Larry Babb

• 1990 - Jay Benson

• 1991 - Jay DeShong

• 1992 - Lavelle Layfield

• 1993 - Pam Burton and J. Lynn Allen

• 1994 - Mary Lynn Smith

• 1995 - Ginger Murchison

• 1996 - James B. Cain

• 1997 - Jerry King

• 1998 - Joe Ed Smith

• 1999 - Mary Ann Perryman and Bob McDonald

• 2000 - Bobbie Hawkins and Ron Baugh

• 2001 - Steve Grant

• 2002 - Darwin Winfield

• 2003 - Ken Braswell and Carol Barton

• 2004 - Tere Lawyer

• 2005 - Rusty Workman

• 2006 - Richard Sanders

• 2007 - Jess Laird

• 2008 - Gary Chasey

• 2009 - Mary Waddell

• 2010 - Gary Williamson

• 2011 - Judith McGilvray

• 2012 - Arch (Bill) Hunt

• 2013 - David Holdredge

• 2014 - Peggy Rhodes

• 2015 - Drew Douglas

• 2016 - Willy Robson

• 2017 - Milburn Chaney

• 2018 - Steve Barksdale

• 2019 - Freddie Paul

• 2020 - The Medical Community

• 2021 - Eldress Mary Henderson

• 2022 - Tilo Galvan and Sheri Robson

• 2023 - Kim Hodges