The Council on Aging believes that aging should be celebrated and embraced, and that older adults have a lifetime of wisdom and experience to offer communities. The Sage Awards is one way that we are changing the conversation about aging well and enhancing community. The Sage Awards, presented each year since 1991, are given to mature adults who have made outstanding contributions to Middle Tennessee through a lifelong commitment of working to improve the quality of life in their communities.
In addition, we recognize organizations that have made a significant and positive impact on the lives of older adults in Middle Tennessee.
2021 Sage Honorees
Ernie Bacon
Dr. James and Phyllis Hildreth
John Hood
Father Charles Strobel
Timothy Takacs
Matthew Walker Comprehensive Health Center
The West End Home Foundation
Sage Sponsorship Information
2021 Sage Sponsorship information is available for download. If you would like to be a sponsor you can complete an online form by clicking on the appropriate green button below.
A new website will launch with additional Sage information

Event Details
October 18, 2021*
Marriott Cool Springs
700 Cool Springs Blvd.
Franklin, TN 37067
*In the event the COA Board of Directors deem it not advisable to gather due to public health concerns, we reserve the right to shift to a virtual event.
Past Honorees
2018 |
Carrie Hudson, Mary Mills, Dorothy & Joe Scarlett, Pramod & Geeta Wasudev & Alive Hospice
|
2017 |
Nancy Conway, Em Ghianni*, Susan Huggins, Gwendolyn Vincent & FiftyForward
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2016 | Berdelle Campbell, Brenda Gilmore, Cleatrice McTorry, James Vandiver |
2015 |
Sophia L. K. Beamon, Toni W. Heller, Ida K. Martin, Emmie Jackson McDonald*
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2014 | May Dean Eberling*, Sharon W. Hurt, Jim & Hilda McGregor |
2013 |
George H. Cate, Jr., Senator Douglas Henry*, Larry Keeton, Lois Orr Winston
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2012 | Marcy* & Seawell Brandau, Sandra D. H. Hunt, Evelyn R. Richmond |
2011 | Jimmie White Hill, William Puryear, Richard E. Ragsdale |
2010 | Don Beisswenger, Dr. Susie McClure, Lottie Strupp |
2009 |
Geraldine H. Butts, Wm. E. (Willie) McDonald, Dr. Anderson & Mrs. Susan Spickard
|
2008 | Richard H. Fulton*, C. Renee Jenkins, Irma B. Kaplan |
2007 | Louise B. Katzman*, Phil Ponder, Gwendolyn J. Sharp |
2006 | H.P. “Hop” Hopkins*, Ola G. Hudson, Grace Cavert Stumb* |
2005 | Calvin L.* & Evelyn E* Calhoun, Harriet Foley*, Elise Steiner* |
2004 | Dr. Evelyn P. Fancher, Martin Kresge*, Nancy Ransom*, Sally Wolfe |
2003 | Jean* & Allen* Eskind, Edwina L. Hefner, Marjorie R. Koehler |
2002 | Bob Eisenstein*, Hazel Pointer Fields, Penny & Gene* TeSelle |
2001 | Thelma L. Baxter*, Charlie Cardwell*, Lois K.* & Gilbert* Fox |
2000 | Bill Barnes*, Eleanor “Chippey” Grier*, Clare* & Samuel* Loventhal |
1999 | Charlie* & Gracie Allen, Clara C. Elam, Bernard Werthan, Jr.* |
1998 | Nathaniel Crippens*, Adele Mills Schweid*, Bill Sherman |
1997 | Robert Everett, Jr.*, Daniel Patrick McGeachy III*, Anne Friedrich Roos |
1996 | F. Tremaine Billings, Jr.*, Mansfield Douglas III*, Leah Rose Werthan* |
1995 | Grace Gardner*, Barbara Mann*, Lester Robb* |
1994 | Mary Bradley*, Ernest Freudenthal*, Jamye Williams |
1993 | Randall Falk*, Lettie Galloway*, Jean Stumpf* |
1992 | Nancy Howell*, Laura McCray*, Bill Moynihan* |
*deceased
Please watch the videos below to learn more about our 2018 honorees: Carrie Hudson, Mary Mills, Dorothy & Joe Scarlett, Drs. Pramod & Geeta Wasdev, and Alive Hospice.