Jean Fee Rhoton, Blackwater, was
named the recipient of the Mae French Outstanding Older Worker Award
for 2007 during the Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc. Annual
Older Worker Recognition Luncheon held September 25th at
the Heritage Church of God in Big Stone Gap. Each year the MEOC
Title V Community Service Employment Program sponsors this special
event to honor MEOC older workers. MEOC believes strongly in the
talent, skill and creativity that older workers bring to the
workforce and is committed to hiring older workers whenever
possible. Currently, workers age 55 or older comprise 65% of the
MEOC workforce of 180 full-time and part-time employees.
Each year, the most eagerly anticipated part of the Older
Worker Luncheon program is the announcement of the annual winner of
the prestigious Mae French Outstanding Older Worker Award. This
award was established in Mrs. French’s honor in 1994 and is
presented annually to one MEOC older worker who best demonstrates
those qualities of service, loyalty, commitment and kindness that
were exemplified in the workplace and the community by Mrs. Mae
French. Mrs. French became an employee of MEOC in 1976 at the age of
81 and continued with MEOC in her position with the Norton Nutrition
Site until an illness in 1993 at age 98 made her unable to continue
her employment. MEOC’s Director of Nutrition and Older Worker
Services Nancy Smith, in describing Mrs. French to those gathered,
said, “ Well respected and well loved, Mrs. French inspired each of
us to reach deep within ourselves to find and act on our best selves
in a spirit of kindness and generosity of service to others”.
At
the recent Older Worker Luncheon, Jean Fee Rhoton from
Blackwater was named the 2007 winner of the Mae French
Outstanding Older Worker Award.
Jean
began her employment with MEOC in 1980 working in the
Homemaker Program. Jean was quickly promoted to
Homemaker Program Supervisor. She then began doing
outreach work in all of Lee County. Jean also worked as
a Care Coordinator in Lee County and then as the
Coordinator for MEOC’s Life Line Program which covers
all of far southwest Virginia.
Jean was and still remains very dedicated to helping
the people of Lee County.
“Jean put in a lot more hours than she was ever paid for
since every senior in Lee County learned her home phone
number,” one nomination read.
Of
the comments made in recognition of Jean, some stated
“Jean was always loved and respected by her peers as
well as the thousands of older people she helped,” “Jean
has the biggest heart,” “Jean was truly dedicated to
helping anyone with a need,” and “She was very crafty
and resourceful in obtaining whatever it took to keep a
client safely at home where they wanted to be.”
Several individuals made mention that Jean spent
countless hours working to better the lives of others.
“Quitting time for Jean was never an hour on the clock.
It was when the work was done,” one nomination read.
“Someone in desperate need of service would never have
had to wait on Jean until another day because of
quitting time.”
Jean’s commitment to service also carried over into her
community. She has served on several boards including
the Lee County Family Life Center and Appalachia Service
Project. Additionally, Jean has a strong relationship
with her church, Flag Pond Church of Blackwater.
“Jean has been a pillar in her church for many years and
has worked tirelessly to improve her community,” another
nomination read.
“It
is with such great pleasure and pride that I present
this award to Jean on behalf of the Board of Directors
and Advisory Council of Mountain Empire Older Citizens,”
said MEOC Executive Director Marilyn Pace Maxwell during
the awards ceremony. “Jean truly is an embodiment of
those traits demonstrated in the workplace and community
by Mrs. French. Our association with Jean makes us all
better. Jean believes strongly in church, community,
family and work and has served as a mentor and role
model to people of all ages. As her co-worker Judy
Miller said of her, “Jean truly has a servant’s heart”.
|
Previous winners of the Mae French Outstanding
Older Worker Award are always invited to be part
of the festivities of each annual Older Worker
Recognition Luncheon. Pictured are previous
award winners who were able to attend the 2007
event: (L to R) Hazel Ramey, 2000; Jean Rhoton,
2007; Caroline Quinley, 2002; Margaret McAfee,
2004 and Dine Mullins, 2006. |
