The City of Chattanooga’s Department of Community Development has announced the retirement of Evelyn Snorton, a beloved community center manager whose 33 years of service have shaped generations of families across the city. Ms. Snorton will retire on December 31, concluding a career defined by compassion, leadership, and an unwavering dedication to the well-being of Chattanooga’s neighborhoods.
Originally from Ohio and raised in Clarksville, Tenn., Ms. Snorton moved to Chattanooga in June of 1990. Having previously taught school part-time, she accepted a position with the city’s community centers, and what began as a practical decision quickly transformed into a lifelong mission of service. Within her first days at the Carver Community Center, she discovered the joy and fulfillment that community work brought to her life.
For the past two decades, Ms. Snorton has been a cornerstone of the North Chattanooga Community Center. Through neighborhood changes, she has remained a steady presence. She notes that the community has always been supportive of her and the center’s mission, even as the area transformed. Her leadership helped maintain the center as a place of continuity, connection, and belonging for families old and new.
During her tenure, Ms. Snorton has contributed to countless initiatives, programs, and partnerships that helped expand youth engagement, support families, and strengthen community resources.
“The heart of my work has always been the people,” said Snorton. “The conversations in the hallway, the smiles from children learning something new, the families who found comfort, safety, and joy inside the walls of the center.”
The City of Chattanooga invites the public to celebrate Ms. Snorton’s remarkable career and retirement. City officials, community leaders, colleagues, and residents will be in attendance to honor Ms. Snorton’s extraordinary 33 years of service and the lasting impact she has made on the North Chattanooga community.
The retirement ceremony will take place on December 18, at 11 a.m. The ceremony will be followed by an open-hours reception from 1-5 p.m. Both events will be held at the North Chattanooga Community Center, 406 May Street.