06/22/2026
Spotlight Member of the week: Joann Smart
This week, we are proud to recognize Joann Smart as our Spotlight Member!
Joann has been attending the Opp Adult Activity Center since it first opened, making her the longest-tenured member currently attending the center. Through the years, she has built countless friendships and has become a beloved part of our Activity Center family.
Joann's favorite activity is the Exercise Class. In fact, she shared that her husband was the one who originally found the exercise program the class follows today. Staying active has remained an important part of her life, and she continues to enjoy exercising alongside her friends at the center.
Outside of the center, Joann used to love sewing. She learned to sew at just 10 years old and quickly became very skilled at it. She proudly recalls making many of her family's clothes and says she could make them look just as good as anything purchased in a store. Although she no longer sews, it remains one of her favorite memories and talents.
When asked what she loves most about the Activity Center, her answer was simple: friendship. The friendships she has made over the years are the reason she continues to come, and she treasures the time spent with fellow members.
Something many people may not know about Joann is that she and her husband, Cecil, shared a love for travel and were able to visit all 50 states together. Their adventures created a lifetime of memories and experiences.
Joann worked for Sears in Atlanta before moving to Opp. After relocating, she spent 11 years as a substitute teacher, impacting the lives of many local students.
Joann was married to her husband, Cecil Smart, for 58 years before his passing. Together they raised three children and helped raise a grandson. Today, she is blessed with grandchildren and great-grandchildren who continue to bring joy to her life.
Cecil worked as a cotton buyer for the cotton mills in Opp until his retirement. Their love story began long before then. Joann and Cecil first met in the 9th grade. At the time, her last name was Sweatt and his was Smart, so they were often seated beside one another in class because of their last names. As Joann fondly recalls, “We were always talking.”
One of the things people admire most about Joann is her positive outlook on life. Her motto is simple: "Life has been good." She always looks for the good around her and appreciates the blessings she has been given.
Joann's kindness, friendship, and positive spirit have touched countless lives throughout the years. We are grateful for her dedication to the Opp Adult Activity Center and for the example she sets for all of us.
Congratulations, Joann, on being our Spotlight Member!
