The Polk County Commission took time out during a lengthy work session on Monday evening to honor a local resident who has been working with children and ministries for years in hopes of making a difference in the community.

Honors were bestowed upon Willie Mae Simpson on December 6 as she was named Polk County’s Citizen of the Year for 2021.

Simpson had a proclamation read in her honor during the work session and received a plaque and gift basket during the Commission’s ceremony on Monday evening. Commissioner Linda Liles presented the award.

She was honored for her long service to local youth in the community providing ministry, after school and summer programs, as well as other volunteer efforts she has been involved with in recent years.

The Citizen of the Year award was inaugurated in 2019 when Ashly Ray was honored, and was followed up in 2020 with an award being given over to Donnie Jarrell.

The County Commission’s personnel committee reviewed a number of nominees and decided upon Simpson during a November session after the nomination period closed at the end of October.

Any citizen can be nominated if they have shown and exceeded being a role model or has volunteered or demonstrated a selfless act for the county.