The Lou Walker Senior Center celebrated its 20th anniversary Oct. 7 with a ribbon cutting for a renovated patio, multiple recognitions and announcements of district investments for programming and facility upgrades.

County and local leaders gathered at the Brookhaven event to honor former Commissioner Lou Walker, whose advocacy led to the center’s creation in 2005. CEO Lorraine Cochran Johnson read a proclamation commemorating the center and noted prior and planned investments. Commissioner Marita Davis Johnson said she had directed more than $700,000 from district funds in recent years for infrastructure and programming at the center, including chairs, a bus for member transportation, upgraded audiovisual systems and kitchen equipment to be delivered; she said some items are already in place and others will arrive soon.

Why it matters: The facility serves as a county‑operated hub for senior services and is used for exercise, classes, health screenings and social programs. The center achieved national accreditation from the National Institute of Senior Centers in 2021, a milestone speakers noted.

Event highlights

- Ribbon cutting: Commissioners and the CEO ceremonially cut the ribbon on a renovated courtyard and patio that received more than $200,000 in investments, which the commissioner said is part of a larger quarter‑million‑dollar project.

- Official recognitions: The state House adopted a resolution recognizing Sept. 13, 2025 as Lou Walker Senior Center Day; the governor issued a complimentary proclamation. County leaders presented a county proclamation and an award to the Walker family.

- Personal tributes and history: Former county leaders who helped move the project forward — including former CEOs and commissioners — spoke about the local activism and political coalition that funded and built the center, noting earlier challenges and the project’s role in expanding senior services countywide.

- Accreditation and programming: Members and volunteers described the center as a "third place" for seniors where fitness, social, educational and arts programming are available; staff said the site hosts evidence‑based classes that help members recover mobility and maintain health.

No formal board action was required for the celebration. Commissioners used the occasion to reiterate continued investments in senior services and to invite the community to upcoming center events.