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LaFayette celebrated two longtime residents during Monday night’s city council meeting. Emma Lena Tucker Robinson and Mary Frances Wilkerson Sim’s family members were presented with a proclamation celebrating both of the recently passed women.

Robinson passed at the age of 111.  She grew up and studied in Chambers County and graduated from Alabama State University and Alabama A&M University.

“Robinson was an active participant in the civil rights movement in Tuskegee and Montgomery, where she met her husband, Minister Steven Robinson, before embarking on a career in education that lasted for over 35 years,” said LaFayette Mayor Kenneth Vines, reading from the proclamation.

The statement expressed grief for the passing of the educator, saying Robinson had, “witnessed during her lifetime, 20 United States Presidents, two world wars and the turn of a millennium.

They then honored Sims with a similar proclamation.

Sims also grew up in Chambers County, graduating from LaFayette High School in 1938. She and her husband, Robert, started a dairy farm in the area.

“As a dedicated member of Rock Spring Baptist Church…Sims was extremely active in her community. [She] drove the senior center bus for several years, sat with those in the community who needed care and took food to those that could not get out themselves,” Vines read.

Both women’s families were present and thanked the council for the recognition.

“I appreciate what y’all did. I think it’s very rewarding to recognize her life, not only her life, but the life of [Robinson],” said Ken Sims, Mary’s son. “That’s quite remarkable. So I think it’s very fitting that y’all did that for both families here.”