Ray Shares His Story for Older Americans Month

Area Agency on Aging • May 12, 2021

I belong to a Model A Club group nationwide of senior guys like myself, and we try to help each other and message each other about our Model A through a Vintage Ford Forum.

As a soon-to-be 76-year-old senior, I enjoy visiting with my granddaughters and following their sports activities and great accomplishments in school. I keep up with my granddaughters through their chosen careers and goals of which they have done well. To know that they are young Christian ladies gives me great joy. It is a joy visiting with my Mother-in-Law (MOM), who is almost 90-years-old and has taught me many life experiences and Christian values throughout the years. I enjoy connecting with my neighbors, sitting on the front porch in the porch swing with a cool beverage, and visiting daily life experiences. I recently introduced myself to a new senior neighborhood that just purchased the house next door. We visited across our common fence and spoke about our yard projects.

As to building new skills, I am still working as a Real Estate Broker and always learning by taking continuing education courses online in my field. I am a history buff and own a 1931 Model A, which is my hobby. I belong to a Model A Club group nationwide of senior guys like myself, and we try to help each other and message each other about our Model A through a Vintage Ford Forum. I learn something new from my club members every time I connect with them.

Being the oldest sibling of 10 children, I stay in touch with all my brothers and sisters. I keep up with their family, and for years, we had a family reunion that we honored our mother on her birthday. That was an experience that I looked forward to every year.

I find ways to share, connect, and engage through my church and enjoy being a member of our Chamber of Commerce. I recently sold a vacant building downtown which was owned by one church and purchased by another church. Bother churches got blessed as well as the seniors in the community. The purchaser renovated it and turned it into a coffee shop that supports coffee bean farmers in Honduras. I got blessed and got to meet up with some of the local seniors. I also celebrate by participating in different Chamber events throughout the year and meet other seniors in the community.

Ray Sullivent
Christian, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather

Working with our local seniors, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) will celebrate Older Americans Month by encouraging East Texas seniors to share their experiences. Together, we can find strength—and create a stronger future.

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Older Americans Month Celebrated Across East Texas

By Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • June 3, 2026

Each May, the Administration for Community Living leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month, and this year’s theme was “Champion Your Health.” In recognition of the month, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas hosted three community events in Jacksonville, Marshall, and Athens, bringing together older adults, caregivers, staff, volunteers, and community partners to celebrate healthy aging and support older adults’ independence. More than 420 people attended the three events, where they received information and heard from experts on senior services, exercise programs, fraud and scams, and ways to take an active role in managing their health. Activities included on-site health screenings, evidence-based activity demonstrations, a Dementia Live demonstration, and the TxDOT Car Fit Program for Seniors. At some events, local officials also read proclamations recognizing May as Older Americans Month, including Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis, who presented the proclamation in Jacksonville. “We encourage older East Texans and their caregivers to connect with our agency to learn more about the resources and services available to help them live independently and remain active in their communities,” said Adrian Cornejo, ETCOG’s Director of the Area Agency on Aging. Special thanks to all event partners, sponsors, volunteers, AAA staff, and participants who helped make these Older Americans Month events a success!

Champion Your Health poster with older adult holding a child on a purple background

Area Agency on Aging to Host Three Community Events Celebrating Older Americans Month

By Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • April 30, 2026

Throughout May, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) will join organizations across the nation in celebrating Older Americans Month (OAM), led by the Administration for Community Living, honoring the important contributions of older adults in our communities. This year’s theme, “Champion Your Health,” encourages older adults to focus on the steps they can take to support their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, while highlighting the resources and community connections that help people age well. In recognition of Older Americans Month, AAA will host three special events at community locations across East Texas to celebrate older adults and share information about programs and services available to seniors and caregivers. Throughout the month of May, the Area Agency on Aging will also participate in additional events that promote the mental and physical health of our communities and recognize the many contributions older Americans have made, and continue to make, across the country. As the United States marks its 250th anniversary this year, Older Americans Month also offers an opportunity to reflect on the generations of older adults whose service, leadership, and life experiences have helped shape our nation, our state, and our local communities. “Older Americans Month is an important time to recognize the lasting contributions of older adults and the many ways they strengthen our communities,” said Adrian Cornejo, ETCOG’s Director of the Area Agency on Aging. “This year’s theme, Champion Your Health, reminds us of the importance of supporting healthy aging by connecting older East Texans with resources, services, and opportunities that help them live well and remain engaged.” The following OAM celebration events are free and open to the public and will feature information on services and supports available to East Texas seniors: Friday, May 15 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM First Christian Church 1920 Beaumont St. Jacksonville, Texas 75766 Wednesday, May 20 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Marshall Convention Center 2501 E. End Blvd S. Marshall, Texas 75672 Thursday, May 21 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM First Methodist Church of Athens 225 Lovers Lane Athens, Texas 75751 The AAA is the region’s leader in advocacy and services for older adults, providing support such as information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education classes, senior nutrition, and the Ombudsman program for people living in nursing and assisted living facilities. These services help older individuals live independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their homes and communities for as long as possible. For questions about the events, contact the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas at (903) 218-6500.