Tallahassee Senior Services Honors Eight Exemplary Citizens

Tallahassee Senior Services Honors Eight Exemplary Citizens

May 08, 2026

Some of Tallahassee's most accomplished seniors were recently honored at the 24th annual Silver Stars Gala. Organized by the City of Tallahassee Senior Services, the eight servant leaders were singled out for their positive outlook, active lifestyle and dedication to others since the age of 60.

"The Tallahassee Senior Center's 2026 class of 'Silver Stars' is absolutely amazing, and we proudly salute each honoree for their efforts," Mayor John Dailey said. "Instead of slowing down, they're setting an example for younger generations by continuing to give back to the community."

This year's Silver Star awards recipients are:

Addie Carroll-Beal, 77, a Memphis, Tennessee native, finds joy by living her life with purpose, serving others and inspiring others to do the same. One of her proudest accomplishments after retirement was fulfilling a lifelong dream of completing her bachelor's degree in social work at Florida A&M University. As a "senior" student, she attended classes on campus - not at all phased by generational differences, embracing the time to add to her skills and mentor the next class of social workers. While a student at FAMU, she sharpened her focus on issues affecting the aging community, and she applies that knowledge to her volunteer work. Among her many volunteer endeavors, Carroll-Beal has maintained a long and meaningful connection with the Tallahassee Senior Center, where she now serves with the Senior Center Southside Outreach Program. She also contributed her time and talent to Visit Tallahassee's Bicentennial team in 2024, a major community milestone celebrating 200 years.

Neil Charness, Ph.D., 77, has spent a lifetime asking questions - and he's not finished yet. Dr. Charness has always been fascinated by how the mind works and why it continues to grow and adapt over time. A founding leader and Director of Florida State University's Institute for Successful Longevity (ISL), Dr. Charness focused his research on aging, cognition and how people learn and adapt across the lifespan. That impact is felt every day at the Tallahassee Senior Center. He now volunteers teaching adults age 50 and older, how to use their cell phones, tablets and laptops. Dr. Charness believes that confidence is key. People may come in feeling overwhelmed by the technology, but when they leave feeling capable, they are more likely to keep learning.

Jim Ely, 77, grew up in South Florida, working in his family's restaurant from the age of 9. After his father died suddenly when he was 13, Ely began helping his mother keep the business going. He credits that early experience with instilling responsibility and a clear sense that education would be the best path forward. Ely carried that determination into a long career with the Florida Department of Transportation, eventually serving as Executive Director of Florida's Turnpike. As vice-chairman of the advisory council at the Tallahassee Senior Center, his leadership is always centered on the future, asking what might be possible and offering ideas for creating opportunities for more community connection. For Ely, success is simple: to reach the end of life having truly seen people, invested in them and helped them find their place in the world.

Llona Geiger, 82, teaches six fitness classes a week for the Tallahassee Senior Center. Geiger was born near Stuttgart, Germany, during World War II, and she spent the first two years of her life in a bomb shelter. As a child, she enjoyed reading books on faraway places and dreamed of traveling the world. At age 59, Geiger climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and ran eight miles a day to train for it. She moved to Tallahassee after being appointed Executive Director of the United Faculty of Florida. After retirement, Geiger studied to become a group fitness instructor and a certified personal trainer. That led to her interest in focusing on instructing older adults with the intention of motivating them to move safely. Working with seniors inspired her to research longevity and the effects of endorphins on the body and brain.

Jim and Elaine McConnaughhay, 81, first met as fourth graders in Ocala, Fla. While Jim attended Florida State University, Elaine studied nursing at Vanderbilt University. They married shortly after graduation. Elaine worked as a nurse at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Jim was part of FSU's first law school class. After serving four years in the U.S. Air Force as a lawyer, they returned to Tallahassee, where he began practicing law. Jim is especially proud of his leadership with the Workers' Compensation Institute. He helped launch a charitable initiative benefiting Give Kids The World Village, which has mobilized hundreds of volunteers and raised more than $1.4 million to support children with critical illnesses. While raising their three children, Elaine devoted her time to service in many forms. Among them, she helped develop the Alzheimer's Project and served as its board chair. The McConnaughhays have been long-time supporters of the Tallahassee Senior Center. Elaine was part of the inaugural Tallahassee Active Lifelong Leaders (TALL) class and helped develop the Grandparents as Parents (GAP) program. For Jim and Elaine, the greatest joy comes from working alongside others who share a heart for service and seeing the meaningful impact their efforts have on the lives of others.

Eluster Richardson, 75, of Tallahassee, discovered he had artistic ability in third grade. The works of the award-winning artist are in public and private collections nationwide. Many depict his love for the people and landscapes of North Florida. Richardson, a U.S. Army veteran, was drafted during the Vietnam War but served in Korea at communications headquarters. Upon returning home, he began a career at the phone company as a network engineer. The job utilized his math skills, about which Richardson said, "In life and in art, a lot of problems can be solved with math." After retirement, Richardson became a full-time artist. In 1996, he created the first major exhibit for the City of Tallahassee's John G. Riley Center/Museum, where he serves as Artist-In-Residence. That partnership would launch his hobby to career status when one of the 35 paintings from the collection was chosen for an exhibition on midwifery at the Smithsonian. A former president of the Tallahassee Watercolor Society, Richardson has taught art at the Tallahassee Senior Center for many years, including watercolor and advanced oil painting classes.

Linda Roberts, 78, has been making a positive difference in the lives of local seniors as an active volunteer with the Tallahassee Senior Center for nearly two decades. Born and raised in Cairo, Ga., Roberts was the daughter of a farming family. Her parents taught her early the importance of serving the community. Roberts flourished in her 38-year career in insurance with Prudential and found great satisfaction in "helping people to make positive differences in their lives." Shortly after retiring, Roberts was driving past the Tallahassee Senior Center and decided "on a whim" to check it out. She was so impressed by the mission and programs that she was immediately hooked. The Senior Center has benefited from Roberts' optimistic outlook and tireless promotion of programs and activities ever since. She has held numerous volunteer positions, including chair of the annual "Deck the Halls" fundraiser and member of the Leon County Senior Outreach Advisory Council, as well as former president and current member of the Tallahassee Senior Foundation Board. Roberts has learned that "even the smallest gesture can make a big difference."

To read the complete stories of this year's extraordinary Silver Stars award recipients, visit TallahasseeSeniorFoundation.org. The Silver Stars Gala was held on Thursday, May 7, at Florida State University's Dunlap Champions Club and is presented by the Tallahassee Senior Center & Foundation, Capital Health Plan and other generous sponsors. More than 300 well-wishers attended the event.

Tallahassee Senior Services is part of the City of Tallahassee's Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs Department. For more information on its programs and events, please contact the Tallahassee Senior Center at 850-891-4000 or visit Talgov.com/Seniors. You can also keep up to date by liking the Tallahassee Senior Center on Facebook.