The “Great Brooksvillian of the Year” is an award program established by the City of Brooksville, Florida in 2002, whereby distinguished individuals are nominated by citizens to be recognized and honored for their significant contributions to the history, culture and/or economy of our community or have had connections and/or ties to our community.

This year, Lee Slayden Gordon, was chosen from many nominations and the voting process was completed by the Brooksville City Council on Monday, August 1, 2016. The “Great Brooksvillian of the Year” award ceremony and reception in the recipient’s honor is held each year. This year’s ceremony will be on Tuesday, November 22nd at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall, 201 Howell Avenue, Brooksville, Florida.

Here is a little information you may or may not have known about Lee Slayden Gordon….

Lee was born in Brooksville on August 17, 1946. She was a graduate of Hernando High School and returned there as the Choral Teacher after receiving her music degree from Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida. For over 30 years she served as the choir director at Evangelical Presbyterian Church. At various times, she directed the choirs at both First Presbyterian Church and Faith Evangelical Presbyterian Church and also taught private voice lessons.

During the late 1960s, Lee, along with her sister Reville Johnson, produced several musicals at the old Dixie Theater in downtown Brooksville. Perhaps her most notable accomplishment was the establishment of the New Nostalgics, a popular vocal group that performed dinner theater concerts around the county from the late 1970s through the 1990s.

Large musical productions were organized and directed by Lee. Productions such as “Annie”, “Fiddler on the Roof”, “Amahl and the Night Visitors”, and a favorite of many “Scrooge”. Lee, herself, also appeared in professional theater in Atlanta, Georgia.

Known throughout the community for her dramatic and musical talents, Lee was more importantly known for her love of God. Her life was a testament for all to see the Glory of God. Lee always wanted others to know what God had done for her and through her.

Lee was the proud mother of three children and raised them to follow her love of God. Lee passed away from Cancer in 2009, she was 62. There is no number to show how many lives she touched while she was here.

Lee Gordon had integrity, compassion, drive, vision, faith, hope, honesty and she never gave up on anyone. She was truly a “Great Brooksvillian”, deserving the honor of being bestowed the 2016 Great Brooksvillian award.