Andrus Winner Serenaded by Award-Winning Nephew

Source: AARP.org

During a luncheon honoring Lou Richardson Jones for winning AARP Tennessee's 2008 Andrus Award, she was serenaded by her nephew, award-winning Gospel singer/songwriter Gerald Crabb, who wrote a song titled "You're Quite a Lady" just for the occasion.

Jones has been credited as a driving force in convincing officials to locate a regional veterans’ home in Knoxville, and the Oak Ridge resident continues to assist veterans in need throughout East Tennessee.  She also prepares and delivers meals to senior shut-ins and has attracted a record number of members to her AARP chapter.
 
"You leave a trail of kindness everywhere you go. You’re a strong one in the family that you love so. You make the road a little easier for everyone you know. You’re quite a lady, Mrs. Jones," sang Crabb, a four-time Dove Award winner who wrote the song with his wife Debi.
 
AARP Tennessee State Director Rebecca Kelly, AARP Tennessee President Margot Seay and Executive Council member Fred Fields joined Knoxville Regional Impact Team Leader Sam Lyles, Associate Leader Bill Schall and more than 50 family members and friends at the award presentation for the Oak Ridge resident.
 
"She has shown that one person can make a difference, that we all have the power to make life better in the world around us," Seay said during the award presentation.
 
Proclamations declaring November 18 "Lou Jones Day" were presented by Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan and a representative of Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale.  Anderson County officials said they plan to honor Jones for her long record of community service at their next commission meeting. WBIR-TV in Knoxville ran a story about Jones on the evening broadcasts and local newspapers planned feature stories about her.  Jones, who was overwhelmed by the attention, said that when she sees a need she simply tries to help out and organize others to do the same.

Jones is one of 53 Andrus Award recipients from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, who were chosen for their ability to enhance the lives of AARP members and prospective members, improve the community for which the work was performed, and inspire others to volunteer.