To celebrate 50 years of service to the community, the public is invited to attend the Walters Senior Citizens Center Open House, 111 E. Colorado, on September 20, 2024 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Walters Senior Citizen project was established in 1969 using Federal Title III funds. The first senior citizens center was located in an old train depot owned by a local Catholic Church at Third and Ohio. The Center opened at that location in October of 1970.
The building filled the immediate needs of the senior citizen population but it lacked adequate heating and cooling, and the building wasn’t located in the downtown area. This motivated the group to look for another location.
Mrs. Dovie Southward, who served as the coordinator, and other interested people found the present location (111 E. Colorado) in 1973. The building was purchased in January of 1974 from Joe Loucks.
On March 4, 1974, a corporation was created and bylaws established. The corporation was governed by a five-member board of directors. The original board consisted of Jay Smith, Ben Roberson, Ben Shackelford, Bill Kerr, and K.E. Otis. Jay Smith was an insurance company owner, Ben Roberson was a retired farmer, Ben Shackelford was a bank president, William Kerr was a farmer, and K.E. Otis was a retired civil service employee.
Federal funding was discontinued in 1973 for the program, so the Walters City Council agreed to help defray costs by furnishing electricity for the center and provided $1,000 every three months to defray building expenses.
Remodeling of the building was accomplished by contributions from local residents, businesses, and organizations.
Prior center coordinators/directors include Don and Doyle Best, Jan and Scotty Simpson, Linda and Carl Neal, and LynneAdene Thompson.
In July of 2021, the Center underwent an organizational change. A board of directors consisting of local business people was elected. This board currently consists of Christian Thomas, Jamon Kelley, Judge Michael Flanagan, Sherri Flanagan, and Brantley Tillery. The registered agent for the Board is Donald Hill.
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