The tapestry of Brooksville’s history has been woven with threads as varied as the individuals who live here. Some have provided stability; others, the dark tones of controversy. Still others, the Great Brooksvillians, have impacted the community with their contributions. Their threads are like gold strands, highlighting the best of the City of Brooksville.
The 15th Annual “Great Brooksvillian” Award Ceremony took place on 11/22/16 at City Hall. It was standing room only, and spilled into the hallway. There were mixed emotions on faces: joy that Lee Slayden Gordon was being honored, sadness that she was no longer with those she impacted.
Smiling, Mayor Natalie Kahler stated that presentation of the award was one of the most rewarding and least controversial things the City Council did all year. Council members took turns reading reasons why Mrs. Gordon was selected, describing a woman with a passion for music and excellence, who loved God above all else.
Born in Brooksville on August 17, 1946, Mrs. Gordon lived in the city most of her life. After graduating from Hernando High School, she attended Florida Southern College in Lakeland, earning a degree in music. Her musical career included teaching at Hernando High School and Hernando Christian Academy, directing choirs for more than 30 years at First and Faith Presbyterian Churches, and producing musicals.
In her letter nominating Mrs. Gordon, Julia Jinkins wrote, “Lee Gordon has left the love of music for generations to come. What better gift could there ever be given to an entire community?”
Mrs. Gordon’s sister, Reville Johnson, wrote, “Planting seeds in her students has produced a harvest wherever they have gone.”
Thomas Bronson wrote of Mrs. Gordon, “Lee never built a building, a highway, or a school – rather, Lee Slayden Gordon built lives, she built friendships, and she enabled its citizens…to live better lives, richer lives.”
Family members and friends were given an opportunity to speak of how knowing Lee Gordon impacted their lives. Statements about Mrs. Gordon included:
She never gave up on anyone.
Just by coming into contact with her, their lives were better.
She authentically loved others without reserve.
Everything she did, she did with abandon.
She encouraged everyone to be their best, and they accomplished more than they believed they were capable of.
Mrs. Gordon’s nephew, William Johnson, III quoted motivational speaker Josh Shipp, “Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story.” Johnson added, “For me, that one was Lee Gordon.”
And that was the message of the award ceremony. “We were all a small part of her life,” said nephew Mark MacGregor, “but she was such a huge part of ours.”