By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support local journalism.
Service to seniors
Director honored for efforts at center
2 Margie Weaver pic1
Director Margie Weaver, standing, talks to Kay Summerville Monday morning at the Dawson County Senior Center. Weaver was recently named the 2011 Senior Director of the Year for the 13-county region by Legacy Link. - photo by Michele Hester Dawson Community News

Margie Weaver was sewing Boy Scout uniforms at a local manufacturing plant when first approached about heading up the Dawson County Senior Center.

Nearly three decades later, Weaver can't imagine doing anything else.

"I feel like my job's not done yet. I still think there's other things we need to do," said Weaver, who has no plans for retirement anytime soon.

That attitude recently won Weaver the honor of 2011 Senior Director of the Year from Legacy Link, the area's Department of Natural Resource's agency on aging.

Weaver learned about the award, which is for the 13-county region, last week when she saw her photo on the front of the Legacy Link newsletter.

"It's unusual for them to choose one of their own that works in an agency they supervise," she said. "It's just a great honor."

Seniors who visit the center on a regular basis were not surprised Weaver received the recognition.

"I think she does a great job, really and truly," Helen Anderson said. "I've never heard nobody say ne'er about Margie. I just love her to death."

Louise Smith agreed.

"I think everybody does [love Weaver]," she said.

Then sole Dawson County Commissioner Joe Lane Cox knew Weaver and "how people took to her" when he asked her about taking over as the center's director in 1984.

"At that time, we were having trouble getting people to stay on at the center," Cox said. "I told the director then if they'd let me get somebody, I think I'd be able to get somebody that would stay.

"Margie did and she worked out fine. She's an extraordinary lady."

With Weaver at the helm, the senior center has reached feats she only dreamed of back when it operated from the basement of a now abandoned doctor's office.

"Through a community block grant we were able to build this wonderful building," she said. "And we're able to offer so many programs with help from the county commissioners, who have so much support for our seniors."

County Manager Kevin Tanner said the programs at the center are due to the time, energy and love Weaver puts in.

"As a result of Margie's hard work, our community has seen tremendous improvements in the services we provide our seniors," Tanner said. "It has truly been a pleasure to work beside her."

For Weaver, it's all in a day's work.

"It's a very rewarding day-to-day job," she said. "Very, very few can say that about their job."