A Volunteer in the Mold of AARP’s Founder

Macon resident Louis Frank Tompkins, 82, never turns down an opportunity to help out — a habit that has earned him the affectionate nickname “anytime Frank.”

Now he has a more official title for his years of service: winner of the 2024 Andrus Award for Community Service — AARP’s most prestigious state volunteer honor.

In his role with AARP, Tompkins works on a myriad of issues, from fraud prevention to caregiving to community livability.

“Frank is truly what I refer to as a servant leader,” says Myrtle Habersham, AARP Georgia’s state president who volunteers alongside Tompkins in their hometown of Macon. “He’s just doing it because he loves what he does.”

Tompkins first became involved with AARP more than a decade ago when he served on the Macon City Council. He played a key role in the effort to make Macon and Bibb counties — which were then separate government entities — among the country’s first communities to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. The network helps communities develop and follow a blueprint to improve quality of life for people of all ages.

When AARP presented Tompkins with the Andrus award in December, Lester Miller, mayor of Macon-Bibb County, was on hand with a proclamation declaring it “Louis Frank Tompkins Day.” The Andrus award is named for Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, AARP’s founder.

Tompkins retired from the public school system after 43 years where, like Andrus, he started out as a teacher and rose through the administrative ranks. He currently serves as principal of a small private school called M.A. Evans Academy.

A father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Tompkins says he has tried to live his life by Andrus’ belief that you haven’t lived unless you have served. And while he carries the title of lead volunteer for AARP in Macon-Bibb County, he deflects the credit to others.

“Everybody who I work with ... plays a vital role in advancing the mission of AARP,” he says. “To me, it’s inspiring for people to make a commitment, live up to that commitment and pass on their blessings.”

Mae Smith was one of Tompkins’ students when he taught junior high. “He was a cool dude,” says Smith, now 71. The two reconnected more than 40 years later when Tompkins joined Smith’s church, where he is now active in the senior ministry and a food bank that Smith runs. He regularly checks to see what items are needed — and then he shows up with them. During a cold snap last winter, he purchased a space heater for a 91-year-old, Smith says.

“He’s just a remarkable person ... [who doesn’t] want any recognition,” she says. “He just likes to do [things] for people.”

Tompkins says all of his efforts are to help people “live out the rest of their lives the way they want to, as long as they are able.”

AARP Georgia is now accepting nominations for this year’s Andrus Award for Community Service. Candidates must be at least 50 years old and involved in sharing their experience, talents and skills to enrich the lives of others; their volunteer work must also reflect AARP’s vision of enhancing people’s quality of life as they age.

Learn more at aarp.org/andrus.

Ann Hardie spent a decade covering aging issues for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She has written for the Bulletin for 15 years.

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