Mayor gives Lois A. Hunter the Key to the City

Farewell Retirement Celebration honors the last CEO and Executive Director's lasting contribution. Mayor Raleigh York, Jr. gives Lois A. Hunter the Key to the City.

February 1, 2024 - Lois A. Hunter's legacy of transformation will forever live on at the Thomasville Housing Authority.

Ms. Hunter is an icon in the community with 49 years of service to the Thomasville Housing Authority and its constituents. When she was hire by Thomasville Housing Authority, she was the first African American woman to ever serve as Executive Director. Throughout her more than four decades of service, she fought for the African American community and for Thomasville Housing Authority residents.

Ms. Hunter served as a member of several boards and associations, including NAACP, Habitat for Humanity, during a time of great change and transformation and countless others such as Delta Sigma Theta, National Women of Achievement. She also served as member of Thomasville Novant Health Board of Trustees. Her leadership contributed to the development of the Thomasville Housing Authority's first Family Self Sufficiency Program, the construction of the 1.6-million-dollar Life Skills Center name in the Lois A. Hunter Life Skills Center in her honor and the renovation of the Liberty Arms Laundry and Community Center for the Elderly.

The outgoing Executive Director was honored during a farewell retirement celebration Thursday February 1, 2024, at the Lois A. Hunter Life Skills Center located on the campus of the Thomasville Housing Authority, where more than 300 people gathered to pay tribute to Ms. Hunter's contributions throughout her decade-long tenure.

Mayor Raleigh York, Jr announced on behalf of the Thomasville City Council Board presented Ms. Hunter with a key to the City of Thomasville. The mayor cited Ms. Hunter's leadership and her decades-long work - 49 Years of Service.  Ms. Hunter is a remarkable woman who leaves a legacy of accomplishment that shaped the city that is Thomasville Housing Authority today.  Her retiring leaves a void in our civic life that cannot be easily filled, and on behalf of all city council board, employees, and the citizens of Thomasville, I extend to her congratulations on retirement and a job well done."

The room on Thursday swelled with commendations and melody, as colleagues and family reflected on Ms. Hunter's 49 years of service and transformation of the Thomasville Housing Authority.

"She was always aiming to put residents of Thomasville Housing Authority first," said Chairman Ron Richardson. "You have done so much more than change the face of Thomasville Housing Authority. You have changed the community perception of public housing authority in the City of Thomasville." Her work has left an indelible mark on our community." "In my opinion, Ms. Hunter is a great credit to the Great All-American City of Thomasville, her family, and the Thomasville Housing Authority," Vice Chairman Alton Jefferies said. "Throughout her tenure as Executive Director, Ms. Hunter has never wavered from her core values and her dedication and commitment to the Thomasville Housing Authority."

Lisa C. Williams, Keynote Speaker, a military veteran turned advocate, founded The Centre for H.O.P.E. LLC to champion mature women in business. She was full of enthusiasm as she spoke very highly of Ms. Hunter.  She stated there are just a few of many Black women in history whose names represent a legacy of unparalleled achievement - Lois A. Hunter is one of them. Ms. Hunter  serve as a trailblazers and among the first to accomplish monumental milestones, thus paving the way for future generations to come.  Over the years, I have been amazed at the number of organizations, the number of people that you have influenced, and the kind of work that you get done here in Thomasville Housing Authority," Lisa C Williams said. "The direct and indirect impact you have made at Thomasville Housing Authority and to the City of Thomasville community is just immeasurable. We are here today to recognize and honor her contributions as one of the most influential Black women in the history of Thomasville Housing Authority and the triumphs that got her here."

Mrs. Wendy Smith, THA Housing Specialist capped off her salute with a winsome rendition of "Just the Beginning" by Kurt Carr.

Officer Jeremy Rowe, City of Thomasville Police Department painted a touching picture of a mother figure and mentor while working as Neighborhood Team Police Officer for the Housing Authority inspiring him to want to make a difference, taught him the importance of high standards, driven led to pursuits of higher educational learning. Outside of the immediate family, Ms. Hunter had some of the most significant, positive impact on the course in his life and career. She was one of the best mentors -it was encouraging to know Ms. Hunter was always there and rooting for me and most importantly of all  she made me feel like we were a part of team - like a son" "Thank you Ms. Hunter" said Officer Jeremy Rowe.

"Ms. Hunter, the Executive Director of the Thomasville Housing Authority, has proved that humble beginnings - not just origins of privilege - are very fertile ground for leaders with vision and expectation," "Ms. Hunter's vision here at the Thomasville Housing Authority will truly shape its future."  Apostle D.L. Hunter of TLC Ministries Incorporated said. Her entire life exemplified her motto of "Rules and Regulations." Apostle Hunter said her success was due to hard work, loyalty, dedication, and commitment and not making promises she can't keep, and working hard to do what she says she'll do."

"I am moved beyond words," she said following the presentation from Mayor Raleigh York, Jr at the Lois A. Hunter Life Skills Center. It is such a wonderful honor for me to receive the key to the City of Thomasville, a city that I love" said Ms. Hunter.  

"I have been moved this entire day by the recognition I have been bestowed by the city, by the Chief Daren Carter, Thomasville Police Department, and the privilege from the great Thomasville Housing Authority Board of Commissioner to have my name on this beautiful building "Lois A. Hunter Life Skills Center". "I wish for my parents, son, finance' and siblings could see me now."

Ms. Hunter is widely revered for her humanitarian approach to public housing. Her compassion and inclusivity have enabled meaningful community engagement and the incorporation of diverse voices in public housing and policymaking. She has maintained a consistent dialogue with communities and activists, emphasizing collaboration and shared goals in public housing and policy formulation. 

Thomasville's Key to the City is an honor bestowed by the Mayor of Thomasville upon distinguished valued citizens of the community. It is the City of Thomasville's highest honor.