Jefferson County Retired Educators Association

09/22/2026

Jefferson County REA Represents at the GREA Areas 11 & 12 Meeting in Johnson County!!!

New GREA President Dr. Sallie Mills “sounded the trumpet” in Wrightsville on August 13th to kick off the 2026-2027 year for Areas 11 & 12. New JCREA President Marilyn Davis, along with nine (9) other members of our local unit, were present and welcomed by Johnson County REA President, Dr. Margaret Hightower.

GREA Officers & other affiliate organizations present to give pertinent updates to the AREA 11 & 12 members included the following: from GREA —> Johnny Smith (executive director), Dr. Sallie Mills (president), Liz Bouis (president-elect), Dr. Bill Sloan (legislative liaison), and from affiliates —> Mike Zarem (TRS) and Lisa McKenzie (AMBA).

GREA President Dr. Sallie Mills outlined goals for this year which included increasing membership, becoming more “active” in our organization and our communities, and contributing to this year’s humanitarian project, the American Diabetes Association. GREA/JCREA members, let’s 🎺SOUND THE TRUMPET🎺 for “Fellowship, Service, and Support!”

Following the presentations, everyone enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared by members if Johnson County REA (GREA Area 11).
***See pics below.

09/09/2026

Jefferson County REA’s ***End-of-Year Celebration*** saluted phenomenal students and newly retired educators, as well as hardworking local unit members on May 26, 2026. Following greetings from Jefferson County District 2 County Commissioner, Rodney McKennie, Dr. Michael Lewis, JCREA president, recognized and/or made presentations to the following: retiring educator, Dana Williams; STAR students, Brooklyn Fields & Isaiah Scott (along with their STAR teachers); JCHS Valedictorian & Salutatorian, Madison Crapson & Tessa Hayes; and JCREA Scholarship recipient & Pacesetter award winners, Kenadie Jones & Lauren Lowery. See attached lists for other honorees and photographs.

05/20/2026

Jefferson County REA and partners are 🎉celebrating🎉 our 2026 scholarship recipients, Kennadie Jones and Caitlyn Battie, along with Middle School Pacesetter Award Winner, Lauren Lowery. (See pics below.)
Honor graduate Kennadie Jones was named the unit’s $2000 scholarship winner at Jefferson County High School’s Senior Honors Day held on May 8th. A big “THANK YOU” to Dr. Dennis Thompson whose foundation contributed $1000 of the $2000 scholarship. His foundation was established in memory of his wife and a retired educator, Dr. Mary Thompson, and Jefferson County’s Carver Elementary School former principal, Dr. Shawn Johnson. Kennadie was a previous winner of the JCREA Middle School Pacesetter Award in 2022.
Partnering with the Jefferson County Retired Educators Association in supporting our youth in their educational endeavors was the Jefferson County Civic Unification Association (JCCUA). JCREA past-President and JCCUA member Carolyn Huntley presented an additional $1000 scholarship from our JCREA partner to honor graduate Caitlyn Battie.
Lauren Lowery, this year’s “JCREA Pacesetter” winner, was presented a plaque at Honors Day at Jefferson County Middle School held on May 15th. The celebration will continue as these youth receive their monetary awards at the JCREA End-of-Year Celebration which will be held at the Jefferson County Leisure Center in Louisville on May 28th.

05/06/2026

JCREA members had a blast and collected several awards at the 66th Annual Convention of the Georgia Retired Educators Association held in Augusta on May 5-7, 2026. For the 11th year in a row, the Jefferson County unit has attained the coveted Unit of Distinction and Unit of Excellence Awards. JCREA was also named a 1st place winner for attaining its membership goal again this year (many thanks to Marilyn Davis, current membership chairperson and 2026-27 president-elect for her tireless efforts that resulted in our success in meeting this goal). We also tip our hats to outgoing JCREA president, Dr. Michael Lewis, for his strong leadership at the helm of our local organization for the past two years!
(See pics below.)

04/07/2026

❤️LOVE💕 is in the air as the Jefferson County REA hears from AMBA Representative Lisa McKenzie at its February 2026 meeting. Following the very informative presentation on the various helpful products and services offered by AMBA, the members enjoyed the organization’s “3rd 💖Valentine’s Social💝” held at the Jefferson County Leisure Center in Louisville.
A variety of fun games led by JCREA members Glenda Freeman, Sandra Benjamin, and Barbara Jordan brought lots of laughter and great prizes. The social concluded with a veritable feast of savory, delicious foods to tempt the palate.

04/07/2026

Community Food Bank donations totaled 300 lbs in December with contributions of 112 lbs to Louisville and 188 lbs to Wrens. Thank you, JCREA members, for seeing and responding to the needs in our community!

12/10/2025

12/10/2025

🎉JCREA Retired Educators Day & Veterans Day Celebration on November 12th… additional photos!!! 🎉

12/10/2025

Jefferson County REA held its Veterans Day and Retired Educators Day Celebration on November 12th at the Herman Baker Municipal Complex in Wadley, Georgia. The program began with greetings from Wadley Mayor Harold Moore and culminated with an interesting presentation by the speaker for the occasion, Master Sergeant Clint Smith. Master Sergeant Smith is a retired warrant officer who is currently serving as a naval science instructor at Jefferson County High School. JCREA was also pleased to welcome several members of the Jefferson County Vets in Action group as guests for the celebration; in honor of all veterans, JCREA member Ellen Farmer-Brown delivered a moving tribute.

10/31/2025

A big “THANK YOU” to Chairman Mitchell McGraw and the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners who signed a resolution proclaiming November 2nd as “Retired Educators Day” in Jefferson County! In addition, JCREA will hold its official celebration of Retired Educators & Veterans Days on November 12th (see attached flyer). All retired educators and veterans are invited to come out and celebrate with us!

As educators and veterans, these days provide a special time for us to reflect on the God-given opportunities we have had to serve our children, our communities, our nation, and our world. The words of the old hymn are particularly meaningful during this time of celebration and reflection … “If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my living shall not be in vain.”