Senate Resolution 194
By: Senators Jones of the 10th, Mallow of the 2nd, Goodman of the 8th, Merritt of the 9th,
Esteves of the 35th and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and commending Carleen Cumberbatch, the 2025 Distinguished Older
Georgian; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, Carleen Cumberbatch has been honored as this year's Distinguished Older
Georgian for her more than 30 years of advocacy and volunteer service to the senior citizens
of DeKalb County and beyond; and
WHEREAS, the Distinguished Older Georgian Award was established in 2003 by the
Georgia Council on Aging to recognize individuals over the age of 70 who have served as
positive role models and made significant contributions to society through their occupational
or volunteer efforts; and
WHEREAS, since discovering that DeKalb County offered no services to seniors unless they
were homebound or indigent, she has worked to address these gaps through volunteerism,
community organizing, and program development; and
WHEREAS, she is the founder of the South DeKalb Senior Line Dancers, which she
originally formed to encourage women to exercise together once a week by line dancing as
well as to advocate for DeKalb County seniors; and
WHEREAS, as an AARP volunteer in the 1990s, she conducted workshops and seminars on
Medicare, lectured nursing classes at Georgia Perimeter College, and organized and
implemented senior group ministries; and
WHEREAS, she has further served AARP as an entitlement speaker; community
coordinator; district coordinator for DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Rockdale counties; women's
specialist for Georgia; and coordinator for Seniors and Law Enforcement Together (SALT)
for multiple counties and municipalities; and
WHEREAS, Carleen Cumberbatch was appointed to the Housing Authority of DeKalb
County Board of Commissioners in 2003, where she now serves as board chair; and
WHEREAS, she has additionally served as a member of the Atlanta Regional Commission
Advisory Committee on Aging since 2001, commissioner for the NAHRO Board from 2010
to 2021, representative for DeKalb County's District 31 in the Georgia Silver Hair
Legislature, and more; and
WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that this outstanding individual be
appropriately honored during this special time.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body
recognize and commend Carleen Cumberbatch, the 2025 Distinguished Older Georgian, and
extend best wishes for future health and happiness.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Carleen
Cumberbatch.