Past Chatham REA Presidents
*Sarah Miller 1971 - 1972 |
Janie Bowers 1989 - 1990 |
Virginia Edwards Maynor 2009 - 2010 |
*George McDonald 1972 - 1973 1977 - 1978 |
*Margaret Sadler 1990 - 1991 1991 - 1992 |
Jere Williams 2010 - 2011 |
*Madeline Hanna 1973 - 1974 |
Dr. Priscilla Thomas 1992 - 1993 |
Jo Robinson 2011 - 2012 |
*Eugenia Burroughs 1975 -1976 |
*Thomas Edwards 1993 - 1994 |
Harriett Roberts 2012 - 2013 |
*Preston East 1976 - 1977 |
*Alexander Luten 1994 - 1995 |
Betty Burnett 2013 - 2014 |
*Irma Fields 1978 - 1979 |
*Margaret A. Lewis 1995 - 1996 |
**Dr. Henrietta Gray 2014 - 2015 |
*Robert Best 1979 - 1980 |
*Betty Klein 1996 - 1997 |
*Ivy D. Richardson 2015 - 2016 |
*Doris Thomas 1980 - 1981 2004 - 2005 |
**Dorothy B. Wilson 1997 - 1998 |
Dr. Connie S. Cooper 2016 - 2017 |
*Elizabeth Deal 1981 - 1982 |
Janie B . Bruen 1999 - 2000 |
Arthur O. Howard 2017 - 2018 |
*Carol Coons 1982 - 1983 |
Glenn Lee 2001 - 2002 |
Rev. Chester Ellis 2018 - 2019 |
*Jessie Collier Deloach 1983 - 1984 |
Eileen Newman 2002 - 2003 |
Clara Williams 2019 - 2020 |
*Frank Wilson 1984 - 1985 |
Johnye W. Gillians 2003 - 2004 |
Omie B. Flournoy 2020 - 202 |
*Johnnie Owens 1985 - 1986 |
Patricia Mincey 2005 - 2006 |
Dr. Gordon N. Baker 2021-2022 |
*Carl B. Thompson 1986 - 1987 2000 - 2001 |
Carolus Daniel 2006 -2007 |
Annette S. Mitchell 2022 - 2023 |
*Anita Stripling 1987 - 1988 |
Shirley C. Spears 2007 - 2008 |
Carrie Ruffin Howard 2023 - 2024 |
*Dewey Lee 1988 - 1989 1998 - 1999 |
Hugh Golson 2008 - 2009 |
TBA |
* Deceased
**State GREA President
**State GREA President
Historical Sketch of CREA
Up until 1971, there was no organization that helped educational retirees keep in touch with their former colleagues nor to work collectively to help and inform them of their benefits. It was May 20, 1971 when a group of retired educators jointed together to organize the first CHATHAM RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION. This remained until 1998 at which time the Association decided to open membership to all retirees in the field of education, thus the present name, CHATHAM RETIRED EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION.
The Association has monthly luncheon meetings every second Monday from September through April, except the month of January. Fellowship takes top priority followed by legislature and disbursing of information pertinent to the members. Carl Thompson, Sr., one of the Association's long time Legislative chairpersons has kept the members up-to-date on pending Bills in reference to retirees. One of the highlights of the year, is when the legislators come to the luncheon as special guests to discuss with the members up-coming important bills pertaining to retirees. Because of the help given by the local legislators and members lobbying, many excellent legislation, such as health insurance; salary increases, especially for those who retired on low salaries have been voted into law.
Members remain in contact with the schools by volunteering and inviting superintendents, teachers and students to participate on the programs throughout the year. One superintendent who participated was "homegrown" Virginia Williams Edwards. Mrs. Edwards was born, reared and educated in Savannah.* The Association had much to be proud.
For more than 10 years, Martha McCullough has provided aesthetic environments that set the stage for pleasurable lunches. She arrives early and decorates the meeting room and tables with favors around the theme for the meeting.
Margaret Sadler, Dorothy Wilson, Dewey Lee and Mabel Punzel have served the Association in almost every capacity over the years. Their steadfastness has helped to keep the Association on solid ground.
Without the sincere commitment of members during these thirty-one years, the organization would have folded years ago. It has been fortunate in selecting strong stable leadership.
Open communication is encouraged between the Local and the State Association. The State President visits at least once every year. Members participate in the Regional and the State Meetings.
Hopefully, this local Association will grow and become an even greater benefit to the members, the school system and to the community.
Taken from, "Chatham Retired Educators Association Historical Sketch May 20, 1971 - March 11, 2002"
*Since this Historical Sketch was written, Savannah-Chatham Public School System has had a second "home-grown" superintendent. Dr. M. Ann Levett, became Superintendent on June 1, 2017. She continues her service as of the writing of this addition.
The Association has monthly luncheon meetings every second Monday from September through April, except the month of January. Fellowship takes top priority followed by legislature and disbursing of information pertinent to the members. Carl Thompson, Sr., one of the Association's long time Legislative chairpersons has kept the members up-to-date on pending Bills in reference to retirees. One of the highlights of the year, is when the legislators come to the luncheon as special guests to discuss with the members up-coming important bills pertaining to retirees. Because of the help given by the local legislators and members lobbying, many excellent legislation, such as health insurance; salary increases, especially for those who retired on low salaries have been voted into law.
Members remain in contact with the schools by volunteering and inviting superintendents, teachers and students to participate on the programs throughout the year. One superintendent who participated was "homegrown" Virginia Williams Edwards. Mrs. Edwards was born, reared and educated in Savannah.* The Association had much to be proud.
For more than 10 years, Martha McCullough has provided aesthetic environments that set the stage for pleasurable lunches. She arrives early and decorates the meeting room and tables with favors around the theme for the meeting.
Margaret Sadler, Dorothy Wilson, Dewey Lee and Mabel Punzel have served the Association in almost every capacity over the years. Their steadfastness has helped to keep the Association on solid ground.
Without the sincere commitment of members during these thirty-one years, the organization would have folded years ago. It has been fortunate in selecting strong stable leadership.
Open communication is encouraged between the Local and the State Association. The State President visits at least once every year. Members participate in the Regional and the State Meetings.
Hopefully, this local Association will grow and become an even greater benefit to the members, the school system and to the community.
Taken from, "Chatham Retired Educators Association Historical Sketch May 20, 1971 - March 11, 2002"
*Since this Historical Sketch was written, Savannah-Chatham Public School System has had a second "home-grown" superintendent. Dr. M. Ann Levett, became Superintendent on June 1, 2017. She continues her service as of the writing of this addition.
CREA Beyond Chatham County
*Area 6 - Directors: Dewey Lee, Dorothy Wilson, Dr. Henrietta Gray, Dr. Connie Cooper
*State Presidents: Dorothy Wilson, Dr. Henrietta Gray
*Hosting State GREA Convention: May 9-12, 2011, Hyatt Regency Savannah
*State Presidents: Dorothy Wilson, Dr. Henrietta Gray
*Hosting State GREA Convention: May 9-12, 2011, Hyatt Regency Savannah
Dewey Lee Scholarship
The Chatham REA awards two scholarships annually to students attending Georgia Southern University-Armstrong Campus and Savannah State University. Money is collected in various ways throughout the membership year. The scholarship is named for Mr. Dewey Lee who served as President of Chatham REA during 1988-1989 and 1998-1999. He also was the first Chatham REA member to serve as Area 6 Director.