With over 150 citizens attending, the Brenham Community Festival held its eighth annual “Celebrate Our Seniors” program on August 13, 2011.  The ceremony was held at the American Legion Hall in Brenham, where five Brenham seniors were honored for their long-term service to the community.  The honorees included:

 

Leroy A. Jefferson – a graduate of Pickard High School who went on to serve in and retire from the U.S. Air Force after 21 years of service.  Jefferson received a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science degree from Southwest Texas State University, where he also worked for 20 years, before returning to Brenham.  In Brenham, he served for eight years on the Brenham Planning and Zoning Commission. Jefferson is an active member of Post Oak Missionary Baptist Church where he serves as a trustee, while also serving on the Building Committee.

 

Ida Mae Parker – a lifelong resident of Brenham and of Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church, Parker is very active in her church.  She has served as a teacher and superintendent of its Sunday School program, as well as being selected Woman of the Year for the regional association of churches in the Lincoln District Association.  Professionally, Parker worked in retail sales for 26 years for Weiner’s Department Store.  The retired Pickard High School graduate is a constant visitor to the elderly, the sick, and the shut-in at private homes and convalescent homes in the area.

 

Elmer D. Rogers – a Brenham resident and graduate of Pickard High School and Prairie View A&M University, Rogers taught school in the Brenham ISD for 28 years.  She is a member of Allwise Missionary Baptist Church, where she serves on its mission and programs committee, as well as a member of the choir.  Rogers has been actively involved for over 30 years with the Jericho Texas Jurisdiction of Matron of Betty Kinlaw Court Heroines, a religious organization.  She is also a lifetime member of the Texas Retired Teachers Association.

 

James D. Rothermel – a graduate of Brenham High School who went on to serve 30+ years in education in Brenham.  Rothermel attended Blinn College and South Texas Teachers College, receiving Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.  An avid world traveler, he served for 14 years on the Brenham City Council, with 8 years being Mayor Pro-Tem.  Rothermel was a key organizer and chairman of the Veterans Memorial Plaza in Firemen’s Park.  He is also past  president of the Louise Giddings Retired Teachers Association.

 

Weldon Williams, Jr – a currently serving Brenham City Council member and graduate of Pickard High School.  Williams received Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in physics from Prairie View A&M University and Howard University, respectively.  Before returning to Brenham, he worked for 34 years for Westinghouse at the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a nuclear analyst, nuclear designer, and an editor and writer of a naval nuclear design manual.  He also taught college physics at Prairie View A&M University.  In addition to his duties as a second term city council member, Williams works with Brenham schools as a substitute teacher and as a English as a Second Language teacher.