The Valdosta Civic Roundtable recognized Jerome Tucker for his dedication to the community Thursday at the Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts.

Tucker joined the ranks of previous volunteers who were presented with the Louie Peeples White Award for Outstanding Community Service during the Roundtable’s annual banquet and award ceremony.

Jane Osborn, president of the Civic Roundtable, presented the award on behalf of the organization and said Tucker can always be found in the middle of many community projects.

“I’ve known Jerome for many years,” Osborn said. “He works so hard in our community. We would be here until tomorrow if I told you all the things he has done.”

A dedicated volunteer, Tucker was recognized for a range of contributions from regional services to the American Red Cross to involvement with local groups like Community Partners in Education (CPIE). He served as chair of the Lowndes County Tourism and Industrial authorities simultaneously with other positions. He was instrumental with coordinating economic-development activities for 18 counties of Region 11 in southeast Georgia while serving as chair of the Regional Advisory Council.

Tucker was also a founding partner of the Southeastern Agricultural Coalition promoting agri-business across South Georgia and North Florida. With him as campaign chair, the United Way of Greater Valdosta reached its first $1 million goal … the list goes on.

In accepting his award, Tucker humbly stood before his family members, supporters and friends and told the small gathering the two very important questions his father, Eddie, asks him daily.

“I am still blessed to have my dad with me,” Tucker began. “He always asks me, ‘Where have you been?’ and ‘Did you do any good?’ God has

given me talents and gifts, and I feel I need to utilize them the best way I can. It’s hard to receive an award for what I have done. … I consider it a blessing.”

The recipient doesn’t look for accolades but said he just does what has always been embedded in him from his parents and grandparents, on both sides of the family.

His daily work always begins with thanking God for another day. When asked if he thinks he spreads himself too thin, Tucker said it doesn’t take too much out of you if you do things for the right reasons.

Before taking his seat, the honoree briefly talked about the separation among small groups and the work that still needs to be done in the community.

“We do have one of the best communities,” Tucker said. “The toughest part of me standing before you is knowing how much better we could be if all the little groups would work together.”

Working together is just what the Tucker family does around the Christmas holiday. Jerome’s sister, Theresa Clark, mentioned her brother’s annual involvement in another service project.

“Every year, with the exception of last year, we have the Tucker family annual holiday feast at Jerome’s house,” Clark smiled. “All are invited, and it’s totally free. We serve approximately 400-500 people, sometimes more, from all over and have never run out of food. It’s just another way we like to serve and give back. Our family has truly been blessed. That’s something our parents always told us. What we give out is nothing compared to what comes back to us.”

The proud sister sat with the siblings’ 89-year-old father, Eddie, and cousin, Wilma Fuller.

The Civic Roundtable also used Thursday’s banquet to present the backpacks, suitcases, toys and stuffed animals collected for children in foster homes to Eltina Baker, a resource development case manager with the Lowndes County Division of Family and Children Services. Baker thanked all who contributed and said it really makes a difference especially during the Christmas holiday.

The Roundtable was established in 1946 to provide a forum through which civic projects may be organized and conducted; current civic matters discussed and resolutions regarding them adopted; and to promote cooperation and understanding among its member organizations to enhance the quality of life in the community through appropriate civic endeavors. Membership includes public or private non-profit clubs, organizations, associations, and agencies with objectives to provide for the health, safety, education, and welfare of the community while dedicated to humanitarian principles for the betterment of all, regardless of creed or race.

 The organization meets the first Thursday of every month. For more information, call (229) 247-2787.

The award is named for the late Louie Peeples White. Known to many as “Miss Louie,” White was the first recipient of the award named in her honor, for her dedicated involvement in the South Georgia community. As a Valdosta resident, she was involved in many projects and was well known in the community, not only for her civic duty but also for the beautiful hats that usually adorned her head.

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