Thursday, May 16, 2024
Although he would never admit it himself, Rebel Brown has been a vital part of the everyday life at the Gatesville Senior Center as well as the entire Gatesville community.
Brown was recently honored with a reception for his years of service at the senior center.
“I knew they were planning something, but I was surprised by this,” he said.
Brown began volunteering at the senior center in June of 2018, but when the Pandemic hit, life at the senior center stopped. That’s when he began volunteering at the Coryell Museum. Eventually, the senior center re-opened, and he was back to his first love, although he continued to volunteer at the museum as well.
Following his retirement, he has devoted a great deal of his time and energy to giving back to the Gatesville community. Gatesville Senior Center Manager, Pamela Rudolph, said “Over the years, Rebel has served his country, his community, and Coryell County very well. I’m just very flattered that I was able to meet Rebel and get to know him. He’s taught me a lot. He’s just an all-around great guy.”
Senior Center Food Service Manager, Camilla Edge said “When I first started working here, within the second week I knew I couldn’t live without that bossy man. He’s just awesome.”
“It’s been said that Rebel is the heart of the senior center and that’s very much the truth,” Rudolph said.
Brown was presented with a signed certificate of service appreciation which stated, “These words on a piece of paper can never say enough to tell you how much we appreciate all the things you do for us. Whether it’s in the kitchen in your little white cap, then serving our meals; going out to buy BINGO prizes, then calling BINGO games; or changing the battery in a clock so we will know the correct time or any other chore that needs to be done, it’s always ‘ask Rebel, he’ll take care of it’ and he always does.”
The Gatesville Senior Center declared that July 20, 2023, will be known as Rebel Brown Day.
Rebel Folder
Photo captions by photo number
Photo 1: Ronald Lock, pictured right, presents Rebel Brown with a handmade token of appreciation.
Photo 2: Camilla Edge, Food Service Manager at the center, presented Brown with a certificate of service appreciation.
Photo 3: Dorothy Pruett read Brown a letter of appreciation that she wrote about him and then presented him with a card.
Photo 4: Eilleen and Ed Stacy, pictured right, presented Brown with a proclamation naming July 20 as “Rebel Brown Day” at the Gatesville Senior Center.
Photo 5: A gift box topped with helium balloons was presented to Brown which, when opened, raised a string of cash that congregate members had gathered for him.
Photo 6: A cake was made especially for Brown which was decorated with BINGO letters and numbers since he has been in charge of calling for BINGO for several years.
Photo 7: Rev. Lee O. Ford prayed over Brown and thanked God for Brown’s service to the senior center and the Gatesville community.
