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Vanessa McKinney speaks to the crowd during her retirement reception at Senior Connection on Sept. 22. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

Clanton Mayor Jeff Mims, left, presents Vanessa McKinney with a plaque from the City of Clanton to commemorate her work for the city’s older generations. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

Senior Connection was filled with program members, friends, family and local dignitaries to celebrate Vanessa McKinney’s retirement. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

Chilton County Sheriff John Shearon presents Vanessa McKinney with a plaque. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

The Perfect Peaches line dance team performed for the reception’s entertainment. (CAREY REEDER | ADVERTISER)

By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

There is no one more synonymous with Senior Connection in Chilton County than Vanessa McKinney. McKinney has been involved with the program for over 30 years and began working with it as far back as when it was held at the old Clanton hospital.

On Sept. 22, her time as director at Senior Connection came to end with a retirement ceremony that filled the building with family, friends, Senior Connection members and local dignitaries.

McKinney, a 2023 Alabama Senior Citizens Hall of Fame inductee, was honored by many local leaders for her service to the over 600 members of Senior Connection throughout Chilton County.

“While today is a great day, it is also a sad day,” Chilton County Sheriff John Shearon said at the reception. “We will miss Vanessa and everything she has done for this community.”

Shearon gave McKinney a plaque that thanked her for her service, and Clanton Mayor Jeff Mims also presented her with one from the City of Clanton to commemorate her over 30 years of service.

“Her heart was it from day one, and we hate to see her go,” Mims said. “She will be sorely missed, but we are proud of her and her family and glad she is getting to do what she wanted to do. I know she loved doing (Senior Connection).”

Senior Connection members presented McKinney with a well-earned lifetime membership to the program, and the Perfect Peaches line dance team brought the entertainment for the reception.

McKinney thanked everyone in attendance and gave an emotional speech about her time serving Chilton County’s older generations for numerous decades.

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