Bainbridge citizens gathered together at the fountain plaza behind City Hall on Tuesday night for the unveiling of a plaque renaming the plaza in honor of Luther H. Conyers.
Conyers, a longtime educator, has served on the Bainbridge City Council since January 1978, and recently made the decision to retire.
His retirement marks 37 years on the City Council, the longest serving councilman in the city’s history.
Following the unveiling of the plaque, a short council meeting was held in council chambers, marking Conyer’s last time behind the council dais.
Guests were then invited to a reception at First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Mayor Edward Reynolds opened the reception with thanks from the city, and was followed with a speech by Georgia Municipal Association Executive Director Lamar Norton.
Senator Dean Burke said a few words acknowledging Conyer’s contributions to the City of Bainbridge over the last 37 years, and then Conyers came up to share his memories.
He stated that he was born on a plantation to uneducated parents. As one of five sons, his parents expected him and his brothers to get an education, and that is just what they did, all earning college degrees!
Conyers thanked all of the people in attendance at the reception for touching his life in some way, and in an emotional statement said, “Bainbridge has been good to me!” The evening concluded with a song sung by Ms. Demeter Jo Williams, and a catered dinner.
Watch Luther Conyers’ emotional recounting of his journey from a plantation child to renowned educator and civic leader:
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