FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Governor Bill Lee joins inaugural Tennessee State Conference on Aging as Mt. Juliet resident Gloria Wilson is recognized for resilience, purpose and living life fully
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – September 10, 2026 – At 94 years old, Gloria Wilson is still setting goals, creating and selling her artwork, working puzzles, learning technology, advocating for others and finding reasons to celebrate life. On Thursday, September 10, her remarkable outlook and determination were recognized statewide when she received the Courage in Aging Award from the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging (DDA).
DDA Commissioner Brad Turner presented Wilson with the award during the Awards Luncheon at the inaugural Tennessee State Conference on Aging, held September 9–10 at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville SE Murfreesboro.
The historic conference brought together professionals, advocates, providers and community leaders from across Tennessee who work every day to improve the lives of older adults. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee was in attendance on Thursday to help kick off the award ceremony and show his support for the conference and those doing this important work across the state.
The conference itself represents another milestone in Tennessee’s growing focus on aging and disability services. In April 2024, Governor Lee signed the Tennessee Disability and Aging Act, bringing together the former Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability and Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities to create the new cabinet-level Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging. The department officially launched July 1, 2024, with a focus on better coordination, stronger advocacy, independence and quality of life for older Tennesseans and people with disabilities.
Two years later, at the department’s inaugural State Conference on Aging, Gloria Wilson’s life offered a very personal example of what it means to continue living with dignity and purpose.
The Courage in Aging Award honors an individual living with a chronic health issue who demonstrates remarkable courage and determination to maintain independence and purpose in daily life. It recognizes resilience, strength and an inspiring example of continuing to live meaningfully in the face of adversity.
Those words could not describe Gloria Wilson better.
Over her 94 years, Wilson has survived cancer, recovered from multiple broken bones, outlived all seven of her siblings and her husband, and continued rebuilding her life after each setback. In October 2024, she survived two serious aspiration events that nearly took her life. Yet illness, loss and age have never stopped her from finding something to look forward to. Wilson has never been content to simply watch life happen, she has always chosen to be part of it.
At age 85, she completed her first 5K. During the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, she created an online Good Morning Coffee Club to help herself and others stay connected. She remains active on social media, where she promotes local businesses, shares community happenings, supports her daughter’s nonprofit organization, Wilson Rides, and serves as an online Chamber ambassador for the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce.
She is an artist and a puzzle extraordinaire. Her artwork is currently sold at The Basement Marketplace, and she continues finding ways to use her creativity and personality to connect with others.
Now living in an assisted living community, Wilson remains involved in the lives of those around her. She advocates for fellow residents, encourages others to participate and is well known for enthusiastically dressing for holidays and special occasions, often bringing as much joy to the people around her as the celebration itself.
Two phrases often heard from Wilson perhaps explain her outlook on life better than anything else:
“That’s a good thing.”
And when circumstances aren’t exactly what she would choose:
“Make do with what you have.”
Her faith remains an important part of her life, and she particularly enjoys reading the Psalms. Like anyone, Wilson has good days and difficult days, but she continues to look for something positive, something meaningful and, perhaps most importantly, something still ahead.
Gloria Wilson continues to set goals.
One was recently accomplished when she lived to see the opening of the new Mt. Juliet 55+ Activity Center. She still hopes to see her church expand, write a book about her life and experiences, and celebrate her 100th birthday with the added goal of someday seeing her face on a Smucker’s® jar.
The Courage in Aging Award recognizes not simply what Gloria Wilson has survived, but how she has chosen to live.
At 94, she continues to create. She continues to learn. She continues to advocate. She continues to encourage others. She continues to make plans for tomorrow.
And on September 10, surrounded by people from across Tennessee whose work is dedicated to helping older adults live with greater independence, dignity and purpose, Gloria Wilson was recognized for doing exactly that.
For Gloria, there will undoubtedly be another goal tomorrow, another puzzle to put together, another painting to create, another social media post to share and another reason to look around and say:
“That’s a good thing.”
###
About the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging
The Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging was created following passage of the Tennessee Disability and Aging Act in 2024, bringing together the former Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability. The cabinet-level department works to strengthen coordination, advocacy, programs and services supporting older Tennesseans and people with disabilities.
About Wilson Rides
Wilson Rides Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established in 2020. Wilson Rides aims to enhance the quality of life and foster a connected community for adults 55+ in Wilson County, TN by providing safe, affordable transportation to local destinations through a network of trained volunteer drivers. Wilson Rides was named the 2022 Nonprofit of Excellence by the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce. Executive Director Gaye Lynn Wilson was named the 2022 Wilsonian of the Year by the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce and Wilson County’s Adult Volunteer of the Year through the Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards program in 2025. The organization also received the Community Enhancement Award in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, in both January and April 2025. Follow Wilson Rides on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn @wilsonridesinc, listen to the StoryTime with Wilson Rides podcast, and learn more at www.wilsonridesinc.org.
