News Sports Opinion Photos Social Classified Obits Contact
 
 
 
Hooks at WTLS on the "Wake-Up Call"

Hooks retiring as Senior Center director

By Michael Butler

"It's just time," Jahazel Hooks said of her decision to retire as director at the Tallassee Senior Center. "I believe everything has a season. And my season is complete, so I'm going to move on and do something else."

Hooks took over at the Senior Center four years ago and four years of being retired from Neptune Technology Group in Tallassee, where she worked for 36 years.

"It was peaceful," Hooks said of the respite between jobs. "I kept busy, so I never was idle. I did enjoy getting up in the mornings and going to the back porch and drinking coffee. I really haven't been able to do that with the job, but I really don't look at it as a job. I look at is as an assignment."

Hooks will officially retire from the center on Dec. 31 but plans to step up her work as a mediator.

"A lot of people don't know that I do mediations for the courts in Wetumpka under Judge (Patrick) Pinkston," she said. "I am ready to get back in involved in that. I truly enjoy it. That's calling me now."

There were a lot of tears shed by the seniors and associates when Hooks broke the news of her plans to step down.

"I told them it's not about me. It's about the program. And the members are the program."

The group consists of those age 60 and up and open to anyone who meets that sole requirement regardless of financial status.

"It is different everyday. I don't want these seniors to get stagnant doing the same thing over and over. It's not a rocking chair Senior Center. We dance and have a good time. There are several games that we play. A meal is served."

The City of Tallassee has advertised the opening which is expected to be filled in 2019.

"I consider it a service because that's all I am is a servant," Hooks noted of the position. "I try to make people happy. I can assure that I'm getting more out of what I do than what I'm putting in.

"It's very rewarding to see a smile on a senior's face. Somebody might come to the Senior Center that's not feeling well that day, but before they leave they have forgotten about that. You've got to like people in order to do a good job, and I love people.

Send Comments