I cannot let the retirement of Ofeira Gazzaway pass without publicly acknowledging the part she played in the promotion of Tyler County for nearly 40 years. Her career was spent as the overseer of a significant tourist attraction – Heritage Village and the Pickett House. In this role, she regularly volunteered on various committees, including, but not limited to Tyler County Chamber of Commerce, Tyler County Dogwood Festival, Leadership Southeast Texas (LSET), and Team Cities (Entergy’s community grant program).
No matter what was happening to promote Tyler County, she was there making sure Heritage Village and the Pickett House were included in every conversation. In turn, she also spent countless days traveling the region and neighboring states at trade shows and events, distributing materials to promote everything Tyler County has to offer. She truly believes that we all rise when we support each other.
If you are reading this and you were there to experience her career, what wonderful memories we share of Ofeira’s involvement. She encouraged us all to participate in monthly meetings and Chamber banquets at the Woodville Inn and then later, in the current chamber office, having board meetings and Entergy Team Cities planning sessions. Many hours were spent networking at membership luncheons at restaurants all around the county, and many took turns serving with LSET regionally. Don’t forget the years spent promoting the Big Thicket trails all around the region, complete with brochures and beautiful photographs of our local trails, hanging along the walls of the chamber office. These were her extra duties, not counting the Festival of the Arts, the Harvest Festival, the Mexican Dinner/Auction, the Heritage Society, and many other events held on the property, not to mention dealing with the business of Heritage Village. She did it all.
The Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas has always been a partner with the Village and the dancers frequently perform. But do you all remember the year we first saw Oferia’s Polynesian dancers performing on a float at the Dogwood Festival? How about the big red crawfish on the Woodville fire truck during the parade and a crawfish boil on the square on queen’s weekend to benefit the Chamber? Trips to Louisiana, Conroe, Houston, and Austin, just to name a few, are full of memories shared with Oferia, promoting Tyler County and the Village.
We are in a new and exciting season in Tyler County with more professionals willing to take the torch and promote all we have to offer. Each generation breathes new life into the business of helping a community grow and thrive.
Ofeira, thank you, for being such a good role model as a businesswoman, dedicated and trustworthy employee, community supporter, and promoter of all things Tyler County. For years, you were our biggest cheerleader and brought many of us alongside you, reminding us always to promote what we have. Much love to you. Enjoy your retirement. Your community appreciates everything you have done for Heritage Village and Tyler County.
