Progress 2014
20 over 60
Leading the way in Franklin County
A special publication of the Franklin County Times
Progress 2014 Serving Others When it comes to community service, Franklin County doesn’t seem to have a shortage of those who are willing to volunteer their time and talents to make our county a better place to live, work and play. For this year’s annual Progress edition of the Franklin County Times, our staff wanted to dedicate this issue to a special cross-section of our community – those who are age 60 or older who are still actively contributing to this area through volunteer work, philanthropy, or their businesses. There were 20 individuals chosen – from Russellville to Red Bay, from Hodges to Vina, from Tharptown to Phil Campbell – that embody those characteristics. People like the ones featured in this issue are the backbone of our local society. They are the foundation that future generations have begun to build upon and will continue to build upon in the years to come. Without their shining example of selflessness, their commitment to excellence, and their dedication to their fellow man, the next generation would not have a beacon to guide them as they strive to one day fill the shoes of these important community leaders. We would like to congratulate those chosen to be featured in this year’s Progress edition and thank them for their many years of dedicated service to Franklin County and all its residents. And we would also like to thank the countless others who weren’t able to be featured, but who are a vital part of our community nonetheless. Franklin County has truly been blessed with exemplary citizens who call this their home. Kellie Singleton Managing Editor
P.O. Box 1088 14131 Hwy 43 Russellville, AL 35653 256-332-1881 fax: 256-332-1883 www.franklincountytimes.com PROGRESS 2013
Table of Contents 4 6 9 10 12 14 17 18 20 21 23 24 25 27 28 32 34 35 36 38
Cecil Batchelor Orland Britnell Rosalyn Fabianke Larry & Kathy Archer Billy Bolton Mae Frances Nelson Nelda Moss Rev. Charles A. Dale Chris Ozbirn Sammy Taylor Ed Crouch Milford Mousey Brown D.W. Franklin Betty Sibley Bobby Bolton Dr. Martha Morrow Bob Tiffin Susie Malone David Tiffin Glen Kiel
General Manager Nicole Pell Managing Editor Kellie Singleton Sales Peggy Hyde Circulation Alton Zills Contributing Bart Moss, Dennis Sherer, Will Stults, Brad Hornsby 3
Born and raised in Haleyville and schooled at Phillips High School in Bear Creek, Cecil Batchelor has been a member of the Russellville community for over five decades since attending Florence Teacher’s College (now the University of North Alabama). Entrepreneurial instincts seemed to be in Batchelor’s DNA. As early as the first grade he took some baby chickens that had been given to him and started a small egg farm. When he was in high school, he bought a truck and converted it into a school bus during the school year and leased it to the county. In the summer months, he would take the truck to Birmingham, load it up with goods, and travel back to Winston County to STORY BY sell his goods – a traveling grocery store. BART MOSS In Russellville, Batchelor was the owner of Dependable Hardware and Service Center and would PHOTO BY BART MOSS become one of the top Goodyear dealerships in the South. And he began to acquire real estate, which is something that still interests him today. He has served as the Chairman of the Board of Citizen’s Bank in Russellville for over fifty years. Under his leadership, Citizen’s Bank - now CB&S Bank - has grown from approximately $5 million in assets to over $1.4 billion in total assets and has expanded to 58 offices in three states and is now the fifth largest bank in Alabama.
Cecil Batchelor
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“I’ve been very fortunate,” Batchelor reflected. “The people of Russellville and Franklin County have been very good to me.” Batchelor believes his faith is critical to his view of service. “I believe giving back in proportion to what you have been given is a person’s Christian duty,” Batchelor stated emphatically. “Everything we have is given to us by the Good Lord. We should use what we have to the betterment of our community and helping lift up others.” Dennis Upchurch, the current President and CEO of CB&S Bank, has served with Cecil Batchelor for over twenty-five years. He spoke of Batchelor as an inspiration and great influence on his life. “Through observation, Cecil taught that you could be a really good, honest, God-fearing person and still be a great business success,” Upchurch explained. “His enthusiasm and good nature are infectious. He’s a great person to be around. He is an inspiration to me and countless others on a very personal level. He is a humble man and a gentleman who always has a smile on his face.” Batchelor also served as the chairman of the Russellville City School Board for over 20 years, helping the school become accredited and recognized as one of the state’s top school systems. Also, under his leadership, the board began to acquire property where the school is currently located. He has been president of the local chamber and civic clubs and has been selected a Business Person of the Year or Citizen of the Year numerous times. When he thought about service and what it meant to him, Batchelor, who served in the Navy in World War II, recounted the story of a former German prisoner of war he befriended during his service. The two became pen pals for several years before Batchelor broke off communication because his friend wanted to come to America. Batchelor was afraid if he brought his friend to America, he would not be treated well. Several years later, Batchelor tracked his friend down, re-established contact and arranged for his friend to come to America. The story, according to Batchelor, has been told several times but it’s worth repeating. His friend’s son enrolled in Russellville Schools and failed his first year because of the language barrier. Later, however, he went on to graduate as Valedictorian of his class at Russellville High School and his family has been a part of the community ever since. “That relationship taught me so much about helping people,” Batchelor said. “It taught me that if you can make a difference in one person’s life, it can have ripple effects for many others.” Batchelor told that story to Tharptown High School students at their Veterans Day program two years ago. He said that young people today need to hear stories about service and helping each other and helping their community. “I hope the generation coming up today remembers the sacrifices of so many,” Batchelor said. “I hope they understand the importance of community service.” He also had some very powerful words of advice to young people. “The one thing I always looked for in an employee in the banking business is unyielding honesty and character above reproach,” he said. “If you are going to be successful in this business, or any business, people need to trust you and believe in you. “Also, you need to know your business. In the banking business, we don’t just handle people’s money, we handle their futures – their retirement, their investments, their financial hopes. People have to trust that we know what we are doing and that we are above reproach.” He also said that young people have great opportunities today and they need to take advantage of it by focusing and setting goals. “If you want to be successful at something, you need to find out what it is you want to do and go after it with everything you’ve got,” he said. “Set goals and work like crazy to achieve them. You can’t wander around aimlessly and expect to be successful. That would be luck. The harder you work, the luckier you get.” Those words, if heeded by the county’s youth, could be the best service Cecil Batchelor has given to Franklin County yet.
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State Senator Roger Bedford Your Hard Working Senator
Keep Him Working for You!!
256-332-6966 • fax: 256-332-6967 • email: senbedford@aol.com PROGRESS 2014
Paid for by Roger Bedford, P.O. Box 370, Russellville, AL 35653
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Orland Britnell
Orland Britnell is old enough for a break from work, but he refuses to take life easy.
“You either rust out or wear out,” said Britnell, 78. “I plan on wearing out. I am going to stay active until I can’t do any more. I enjoy staying busy.” A retired banker, Britnell, of Waco, is busy most days from the time he wakes up until after many residents have gone to bed. “Sometimes there aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything that I need to get done,” he said. “But that’s the way I like it.” Britnell raises cattle on a farm his family has owned since 1940 and is active in the Alabama Cattleman’s Association. He is also active in church and community organizations. He is a past president of the Chamber of Commerce, Russellville Rotary Club and Russellville Athletic Boosters Club. He founded the Waco Water and Fire Protection Authority and served as its manger without pay for 25 years and as an unpaid member of its board of directors. In 2013, Britnell was honored for his work in the community when he received the Hall of Fame Award at the Franklin County Partnership Awards Banquet. “I was shocked when they called my name. I never expected to win the Hall of Fame award,” he said. STORY BY “There’s a lot of good people in Franklin County who DENNIS SHERER have done a lot for our communities and deserved to win.” PHOTO BY Britnell said winning awards is the furthest thing DENNIS SHERER from his mind as he goes about his many volunteer duties. “When I see something that needs to be done, I just do it,” he said. When Waco residents were plagued by water shortages in the early 1960s, Britnell began working to find a way to establish a community water system. He searched for government programs to help pay for the system and went door-to-door seeking customers and collecting deposits.
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Water began flowing through the system in 1966. “I worked to get the water authority established because we needed water. I needed water,” he said. “It was a big day for Waco when we could turn on a faucet at our homes and not have to worry about running out of water.” For many years, the water authority’s office was in Britnell’s home. And as manager of the system, Britnell was a Jack-of-all-trades. “We read the meters, did the cutoffs and turnons, fixed the leaks, we did it all. I did it because it was something that needed to be done.” Britnell is especially proud of his work for the Alabama Cattleman’s Association. In 2008, he became the organization’s first president from northwest Alabama. He had previously served as Franklin County president and as a regional vice president. Today, Britnell enjoys helping the cattlemen and other volunteers cook and sell ribeye steak sandwiches several times a year. Profits from the sandwich sales are used to provide college scholarships for Franklin County students. Since 2003, the Franklin County Cattlemen have awarded $109,500 in scholarships. “I enjoy working with the Cattlemen,” Britnell said. “It’s very rewarding when someone comes up to you and says one of our $500 scholarships is what made it possible for them to go to college.” Although he now spends his time running a farm and volunteering his time to numerous organizations, Britnell had a long career in banking, before retiring, two times. He began his career at First State Bank in Phil Campbell in the mid-1960s and then helped open its Russellville branch. In the mid-1990s, Citizens Bank purchased First State Bank. Britnell retired from Citizens Bank, but was only retired for about a year when Community Spirit Bank moved to Russellville and asked Britnell to help with business development. He worked there for five years before beginning his second retirement. Before becoming a banker, he managed a department store in Russellville and worked for an automaker in Michigan. “I’ve never minded hard work,” he said. “Hard work doesn’t hurt you. What hurts you is sitting around and doing nothing. I’m not planning on sitting down anytime soon.”
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Rosalyn Fabianke During her career as a physical education instructor and coach, Rosalyn Fabianke encouraged students to live healthy lifestyles, be physically fit and to just move. Now retired, Fabianke, 64, of Red Bay, rarely stops moving herself. She is active in numerous organizations and events in the Red Bay area. “I don’t feel like I am over 60,” she said. “What is 60 anyway, the new 40?” She was event coordinator for the Smithsonian Institution’s “The Way We Worked” exhibit that visited Red Bay in 2013. The exhibit included photographs, murals and audio recording of workers talking about various jobs. She and other volunteers devoted many hours to making the exhibition a huge success. The Red Bay stop attracted 6,692 people from 41 states and four foreign countries, a record for its stops in Alabama. “To see so many people come together to make the exhibit such an overwhelming success was an amazing experience,” Fabianke said. “We had an amazing team.” Fabianke said the strong sense of community in Red Bay and the willingness for residents to volunteer for any event that helps the community makes her proud to call the city home. “It’s quite an interesting place to live and to visit,” she said. While community pride is a motivating force in her willingness to volunteer for community and church activities, Fabianke said her desire to remain physically and mentally fit also provides inspiration. “It’s important to keep our bodies and our minds active,” she said. “I STORY BY have not slowed down and I have no DENNIS SHERER plans for slowing down.” She said an active lifestyle leads to PHOTO BY a healthier life. DENNIS SHERER Fabianke said anyone who thinks they are too old to exercise should attend a Senior Olympics event. “You see men and women in their 50s, 60s, 70s, even 80s and 90s swimming, running, playing tennis, basketball and other sports,” she said. “Many of them have had knee or hip replacements, but they do not let that stop them from being active.” The 2014 Alabama Senior Olympics are May 4 in Selma and Montgomery. Fabianke is a member of the Governor’s Commission on Physical Fitness and Sports, and she has been recognized as one of America’s top fitness leaders. When she is not touting physical fitness and healthy living, Fabianke busies herself with many activities in Red Bay to promote education and a vibrant community. “Although Red Bay is not my hometown – I grew up in New Albany, Miss. – I consider it my adopted hometown,” she said. “It’s a great place to live and to raise a family. My husband and I love living here.” Her husband is Red Bay physician Raynard Fabianke. Fabianke said volunteering is a great way for seniors to maintain a healthy lifestyle. “Age is only a number,” she said. “If you don’t think you are old, you don’t feel old. “There’s lots of volunteer jobs available for people who want to stay active after retirement. Along with staying active in the community, if you stay physically active and do things that keep your mind active, you just feel better,” she said.
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Many people in Red Bay refuse to grow old, she said. “When Raynard and I first moved here, we noticed there were people using walkers who were out in the yard raking leaves and staying active,” Fabianke said. “It was exciting to see so many people who did not let age get in their way of living.” Age is all about perspective, she said. “If we perceive ourselves as old, we act old and might sit in front of the TV all day, doing nothing. “But if we perceive ourselves as an active person who still has a lot to contribute to our community, that’s what we do,” she said. “We should all stay as active and continue to do as much for our community as we can for as long as possible. We will benefit from it and so will the community.”
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Larry & Kathy Archer Lots of folks help out around their hometown. We all feel the natural obligation to pay back where we came from, to pay it forward for the people and places we love. But it’s more rare, though, to find someone who wants to help out in other places, let alone two people doing so much no matter where life leads them. For Larry and Kathy Archer, “community” isn’t about where you came from, it’s about where you are, and wherever the Archers are, they jump in with all four feet. Larry and Kathy Archer’s influence can be seen and felt statewide – DeKalb County, Lee County, Blunt STORY BY WILL STULTS County, and, since 2006, Franklin County have all benefited from the tireless efforts of these two servicePHOTO BY minded individuals. WILL STULTS As a man involved in the banking business, Larry Archer, president of Bank Independent’s Russellville branch, knows firsthand the importance of business development for the community.
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“If you create jobs then you have more of a tax base for better roads, retail follows, restaurants follow, everything goes where the money is, where the people are, where the jobs are, and that is why it’s so important,” he said. “That’s why I’m interested in the economic development of the areas I’ve been in.” Larry’s primary community interest is his involvement with the Russellville Rotary Club, an organization with the motto “Service Above Self” where business leaders get together for humanitarian services, encourage high standards of ethics, and work to build goodwill and peace throughout the world. Kathy is a retired educator, but Larry likes to say she works harder now that she’s retired than she ever has. Although she spent a year as an assistant principal, she quickly returned to what she loved the most – the classroom. That alone would be enough to tell you she has a calling for caring for children, but when she begins to list the organizations that particular passion has led her to, it’s almost overwhelming that one person could do so much. “I am proactive,” Kathy said. “When I go to a new town, the first thing I do is go find the library. I go by the chamber of commerce. I find out what clubs are available, what types of things are available, and I don’t wait for them to come to me because if I do I’d probably still be sitting sometimes. I get out and hunt them up. I go to them.” That drive has led to her involvement with the Prison Ministry Angel Tree Program, which provides a means for imprisoned mothers to have the simple comfort of knowing their child will receive a gift at Christmas, even while they are unable to provide one. But that’s not all that keeps Kathy busy around Christmas. Operation Christmas Child gives more than nine million underprivileged children worldwide a shoebox gift to let them know someone somewhere cares for them. From 2000-2005, Archer served as the co-coordinator of the OCC project in Oneonta, and she picked up where she left off when they moved to Russellville in 2006, becoming the site coordinator for the Russellville relay location and continuing to serve in that position up until the present time. “My goal is to help children in Franklin County and all over the world,” Archer said. “Operation Christmas Child is a unique opportunity to do something as simple as packaging a shoe box that will have a lasting impact on a child a world away. “There are so many hurting children and many of them have never received a gift of any kind. I cannot help all of them, but I can help some.” Kathy is also involved with Reading is Fundamental, which gives each individual Head Start student three books a year and provides volunteers to read to them. Kathy said her love of books played a big role in her involvement in this organization as well as her involvement with libraries here in Franklin County and the Book Lover’s Study Club, which is an organization formed in 1920 that began as a social club but has transformed through the years into a philanthropy group raising funds for community interests such as SafePlace. This may seem like a lot for one person to take on, but Kathy’s reasoning is simple. “I love it because I’m helping people,” she said. The Archers have been together for 42 years and they’ve always been interested in being involved. Their first shared work was with the Jaycees and Jayceettes Children’s Christmas Party – a big shopping tour of local merchants giving to needy kids. They have also instilled their sense of community in their son, Tommy Archer, who has volunteered with the Healing Place, DHR, Meals on Wheels and more. “As people get involved in their communities all you see is a tremendous need,” Larry Archer said. “You become a lot more aware of those, so it gets to the point it’s tough say no. It’s easy to be overwhelmed trying to do too much uncompensated volunteer work when you have a full time job as well. But you say ‘This is a great organization over here. I didn’t know they did that. They need people.’ “A lot of the younger folks just don’t realize the needs that are out there but if people get accustomed to giving back, they get a lot of personal satisfaction from it. That’s your pay.
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Layla Grace Cleveland One of Franklin County’s newest additions. Born: April 19, 2013 Parents: Paul & Tanya Cleveland Grandparents: Kathy Cleveland & Terisa McCarley
SHELTER SHARE
Elect Veronica Copeland Stancil Franklin County Revenue Commissioner
part of Helping Hands
Drop off pet food and shelter supplies at any of our locations.
Member FDIC | (877) 865-5050 | www.bibank.com
Justus, John, Veronica & Jonah Stancil My name is Veronica Copeland Stancil, and I am running for the ofÀce of Revenue Commissioner. My roots run deep in Franklin County, and my sincere desire is to serve the people of this county in a fair and professional way. I have worked hard since I was 15 years old, working my way from a babysitter to my current job as a bookkeeper and magistrate in the Circuit Clerk’s ofÀce where I am tasked with managing millions of dollars. For the past 25 years I have worked in the Franklin County Courthouse, 7.5 of those years in the revenue commissioner’s ofÀce and I believe my experience and knowledge will be a great asset as revenue commissioner. If elected, I will exemplify the same hard work ethic that I have always had, and I will be a working revenue commissioner for the people of Franklin County. Thank you in advance for your support and your vote on June 3rd. Veronica Stancil Pd. Pol. Adv by Veronica Copeland Stancil, 2808 Hwy 79, Phil Campbell, AL 35581
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Billy Bolton
For Billy Bolton, service is a way of life. Service is something he believes makes the man, and he firmly believes we are put on
this Earth to serve. Billy Bolton has lived in Red Bay his entire life and his life’s work has been to make the city of Red Bay a great place to live. “I live in the best place in the world,” Bolton said. “I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. “With that said, I believe we are charged with leaving any place we live or work better than what we found it. That has been my STORY BY life’s work.” BART MOSS Throughout his life he has served Red Bay and Franklin County in numerous capacities: the Red Bay PHOTO BY Civitan Club, Red Bay Jaycees, Red Bay chairman of BART MOSS the American Heart Association, Red Bay Medical Clinic Board and Red Bay Industrial Board just to name a few. “I’ve always wanted to do what was in the best interest of this community,” Bolton said.
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“We should always be moving forward. If you are not, you are falling back.” Bolton is presently the director and chairman of Community Spirit Bank. He has been with the bank for 49 years, serving as president and CEO for 32 of those years. He has seen Community Spirit Bank go from $2.5 million in assets to $140 million in assets during that time. He has also seen the bank grow to over 40 employees. He can trace his entire career in banking back to a singular, random event that occurred in the Red Bay gymnasium when he was in high school many years ago. “I was sitting on the bleachers with some friends behind Mr. [L.N.] Flippo, who was president of the Bank of Red Bay at the time,” Bolton recalled. “He accidentally dropped some money under the bleachers when he got up to leave. I remember going under the bleachers to get the money with the intent of keeping it, but I couldn’t keep the money. Something made me give it back. So I did.” A few years later, Flippo called Bolton and asked him to come to work at the Bank of Red Bay as a teller. “I was floored,” Bolton said. “I was not very confident I could do the job. I talked to my wife [Judy] and decided to take a chance and accept his offer.” After working as a teller for over a year, Bolton was drafted into the Army and left the bank to go serve his country for 25 months. When he came back, his job was still waiting on him. Bolton later got promoted to the loan department. About a year before Mr. Flippo left the bank, he called Bolton to his office and asked him if he knew why he hired him at the bank. “I told Mr. Flippo that I didn’t know but always wondered,” Bolton said. “He said, ‘Billy, do you remember when I dropped that money under the bleachers in the gym and you gave it back to me? I offered you that job because I knew you were honest. You could have kept the money but you didn’t. You did the right thing.’ “I got this job and built this career because I did the right thing,” Bolton, clearly emotional, said. “It allowed me to provide a living for my family and keep my family at home here in Red Bay. I never forgot that, and I’ve tried to teach my children that – do the right thing.” Bolton carried that philosophy with him when he served on the Red Bay City Council and eventually served as mayor of Red Bay. “We had to make some difficult decisions,” Bolton said. “But I think Red Bay is better off today because of it.” As an active member and deacon of First Baptist Church in Red Bay, Bolton believes it is one’s Christian duty to serve. “Jesus was a servant here on Earth,” Bolton said. “I believe we have a Christian responsibility to serve one another in any way we can. I have failed the Lord many times but he always forgives.” Ronald Thorn, longtime friend of Bolton and State Farm insurance agent in Red Bay, said that Bolton has had a lasting impact on his life any many more in the community. “During my life there have been some men who inspired me because they served their community – not for financial gain, but to make a better life for the people around them,” Thorn said. “Billy Bolton has been one of those men who have stood tall to me. He sacrificed his talents and his time with his family to make Red Bay a better place for the people who live here, even when his vision and efforts were unpopular sometimes. Billy inspired the rest of us to want to do just a little bit more ourselves for our community. That is the sign of a great leader and man.” He also called on young people to take the lead. “We need our young people to get more involved in our communities,” Bolton said. “They need to take an interest in the community and leadership positions. Take responsibility. We are living through a great cultural change in this country, and it’s up to our young people to hold on to the values that made this country great and this community great. “You need to appreciate what you have because it could be gone in an instant.”
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Franklin County
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Shannon Oliver, Sheriff I want to be your sheriff, not just the sheriff, of Franklin County. Franklin County is more than just a place. The heartbeat of Franklin County is our citizens and I’m working for each of you every day. My time is your time and that obligation is to every citizen. Pd. Pol. Adv. by Shannon Oliver, 1668 Hwy 49, Russellville, AL 35653
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“At the restaurant, I get a chance to pray for people and talk to people about Christ. I love to do that.” - Mae Frances Nelson
Mae Frances Nelson Some people spend their whole lives searching for a calling, bouncing from job to job, trying to find their place, only to never get there, but Mae Frances Nelson was blessed early in life and knew STORY BY what she wanted to do. WILL STULTS From the first pan of cornbread her mother, Florence, showed her how to make, she has loved PHOTO BY to cook. WILL STULTS First at home out of love for family and friends, then at just 16 in order to make a living, she has spent more than 50 years in kitchens. In the beginning those kitchens belonged to others – The Iron Gate, Kent’s Lunch, Bud Devaney’s Truck Stop on Spruce Pine Mountain, Twin
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Pines Country Club… there are so many she forgets at times, but now people across the country know that the place to go when they’re in Russellville, Alabama is her place, The Daily Bread Bar-B-Q downtown. The sign out front proudly states “Mae Frances Nelson – PROPRIETOR.” Open Monday through Friday, breakfast through lunch, The Daily Bread has become a local landmark. They offer all the breakfast classics, meat and three lunches, BLTs, burgers and more, but Mae Frances is no doubt most famous for her caramel cake. So famous, in fact, that the Alabama Department of Tourism selected it as one of their “100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die” list. Mae Frances doesn’t even mention receiving the honor when discussing her career. To hear her tell it, cooking has just been a means for her real passion, serving the Lord. “At the restaurant, I get a chance to pray for people and talk to people about Christ. I love to do that. “A lot of people are looking for that because people don’t do that – people don’t talk to you about God. People don’t talk to you about going to church or anything like that, and since I’ve been doing that, I have gained a lot of people’s friendship and trust because God is the reason. “If we don’t believe in God, we’ve got nothing else going for us. We can just forget it. “Just live all you want to live because God is the answer to all our prayers, all our work, all our children – everything in this world is all about God and if you ain’t got Him in your life, you’re losing out on a whole lot of blessings.” That sort of witnessing by a prominent business owner might seem out of place in our time of political correctness, but that doesn’t stop Mae Frances. If anything it only makes her bolder. “One day I was talking about the Lord down at the restaurant, not paying any attention, and this man got up and left and he said ‘You can’t find anything else to talk about?’ “Well when he said it, he walked out the door, and so John says to me ‘Momma, you might ought to stop talking Christian talk and stuff like that in the restaurant. You might offend somebody.’ “I said ‘Let me tell you one thing, baby, and you listen to me real good. I’m not ever going to stop talking about God. I ain’t going to stop talking about how he’s blessed me and you and all of my family. If nobody likes it and they walk out on account of how good God is, God’ll send 10 more in their place.’”
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Nelda Moss People are often influenced by the individuals they interact with in their lives. Parents raise their children to learn the difference between right and wrong. Friends can introduce each other to new outlooks and points of view. Teachers are one group of people who can shape our character greatly. They are there throughout our childhood and guide us toward the beginning of our adult lives. STORY BY Teachers are people who can BRAD HORNSBY help us see our potential and encourage us to achieve it. It PHOTO BY is no surprise that Nelda Moss BART MOSS chose to devote her life to being one of those people. Mrs. Moss (as she is called by generations of former students) grew up in the Union community located in Franklin County. Before the year she had reached fifth grade, her family moved to Chicago, but they later returned to Franklin County by her 10th grade year. Moss graduated from Phil Campbell High School in 1961 and then went on to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Florence State College in 1965. Moss started her career in the fall of 1965 as a physical education teacher at Phil Campbell High School. Moss taught at her alma mater for 39 years and coached the cheerleading squad for 44 years. “There were good days and some bad days, but the good days always outnumbered the bad,” Moss said. “I got to wake up every morning loving where I worked.” Moss still lives and works in the same small town where she grew up, and her career as a physical education teacher is still valuable to her, which is evident by the fact that she still works out three times a week. In addition to spending time with her six grandchildren, she substitute teaches at Phil Campbell High School. “I love Phil Campbell because it’s just home,” she said. “I grew up here, and I raised a family here.” Moss attends the First Baptist Church in Phil Campbell where she serves as the church treasurer. She also volunteers in the church nursery on Sundays. Moss said she also loves to volunteer for the Jesus Cares Program before the Christmas holiday. In this program children are asked what they would like to receive as a Christmas gift. Through the program, the presents that were picked by the children are purchased and then gift-wrapped for parents to give to their children on Christmas. Tables are also set up with smaller gifts that parents may choose for their children. “It is a great way for people to help others during that time of year,” Moss said. “Last year the program helped 30 families.” Even though she is retired, Moss said she still likes to donate her time helping others. “Helping isn’t something you ever get too old to do,” she said. Moss loves Phil Campbell’s small town atmosphere but would still like to see some change come in the future. “It would be nice if more businesses and industries came to our town,” she said. “I would also love to see a place or activity for the young people to spend time.”
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“Helping isn’t something you ever get too old to do.” - Nelda Moss 17
“Until the last nail is driven in my coffin, I’m going to be there standing up for the rights of humanity because that’s what God put us here for,” he said. To bolster his continued civil rights efforts, Dale currently serves on the MLK Committee for the Tri-County area. The organization works to provide scholarships for underprivileged students who possess the ability to prosper through education but lack the means and support necessary. Dale said the group has provided 18 scholarships to area students and are always working to do more. Dale is also an active part of the local chapter of The National Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Each
“I’ve always striven to do the best that I could at whatever I do and that has became a part of me.” - Reverend Charles A. Dale year on the third Monday in January, the legacy of Dr. King is remembered when individuals join together to take action towards resolving social problems and seeing out the vision of a “beloved community”. This year the event was held in Franklin County and Dale said he was pleased with how the event turned out. “On this day, we encourage people to do something that will benefit the welfare and betterment of humanity in Dr. King’s memory,” Dale said. “He was an inspiration, and his life has great historical significance and meaning. “I am proud that we had over 400 people to attend this important event to honor his memory and legacy. It was an honor for me to be part of it.” Dale’s volunteer work and community service and not completely geared toward civil rights, however. Recently, Dale was instrumental in making sure a piece of Franklin County history was properly preserved. Efforts to make Reedtown High School a recognized site with the Alabama Historical Commission had met little result until Dale became involved. Once the process got going, he got it done in just a few short months and made sure that a place that was so important in the lives of many people in this area was properly recognized. One might wonder how he is able to accomplish so much and continue to work hard for the things he believes in, but Dale said it’s all about having the right motivation. “I’ve always striven to do the best that I could at whatever I do and that has became a part of me,” Dale said. “Basically, whatever I set my mind to do, the Lord has blessed me in being able to do those things, but I put God first. It ain’t about me. It’s about God that’s in me and uses me. “My philosophy is wherever you lead me I will follow without question.”
Reverend Charles A. Dale The Reverend Charles A. Dale will proudly tell you that he was born, cornbread fed, and pinto bean raised in Russellville. As a Christian Methodist Episcopal Minister with 59 years of service, he has pastored all over the state of Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. As a human being, he has worked for the rights of all of us on a local, state, and national level. That work began during the Civil Rights Movement and continues to this day with national efforts towards immigration reform. STORY BY “I’m working to resolve the issue because we are all WILL STULTS God’s children,” Dale said. PHOTO BY “It doesn’t matter whether we’re black, white, red, WILL STULTS yellow, brown, or what your color is.” Dale became active in The Civil Rights movement during his time as a young man at Miles College, even working with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His passion for the rights of all colors has burned since then.
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PROGRESS 2014
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Chris Ozbirn
Every morning for the past 25 years, Chris Ozbirn has gotten up and voluntarily come to work for the city of Russellville or for
Franklin County. In all those years, she’s never received a paycheck for the services she has provided or the jobs she has performed, but Ozbirn said her payment comes in a much different form than most people are used to getting. Ozbirn said just knowing she has helped someone, knowing she has put a smile on someone else’s face, is all the payment she needs to keep her coming back each day and serving the citizens of this county. Currently, Ozbirn serves as the director of the Franklin County Archives, which is located at 300 Limestone St. NE in Russellville. Ozbirn has served in this capacity since she was appointed as the county’s chief archivist in December 2002, and she was there the day the Archives office officially opened on March 15, 2004. “Having an archives building in Franklin County STORY BY was something I was very passionate about and KELLIE SINGLETON something I believed was vitally important to this community,” Ozbirn said. PHOTO BY “I guess you could say it was a dream of mine, so KELLIE SINGLETON it was a very special day for me when the Franklin County Archives officially opened in 2004, and I have enjoyed every minute of my time here.” That dream to see the Franklin County Archives become a reality was something that actually started back in 1988 when Ozbirn was doing geneal-
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ogy research for her husband’s side of the family. “My husband was big into genealogy, and I became interested in it through all the research he was doing,” Ozbirn said. “I would constantly ask questions about the different relatives and who they were and where they came from, and one day he finally just asked me to help him with some research on his mom’s side of the family.” Ozbirn said her husband’s maternal family was from Franklin County, so she gathered up a few notes and headed for the Russellville Public Library. “At that time, someone who was doing genealogy research would go to the library because they had a genealogy room there with lots of information,” Ozbirn said. “I was coming two or three times a week to do my research, and after about six months, the librarian at the time asked me if I might be interested in taking over the genealogy room. “It wasn’t as organized as it could be, and I was constantly re-arranging things anyway, so I told her I would be glad to take it over.” That same year while she was in Washington, Ga., on a separate project, she ended up talking to the town’s librarian, who taught her how to set up a genealogy room in the proper way so visitors could find what they were looking for in an efficient manner. She brought that knowledge back with her, and that first year that Ozbirn volunteered for the city of Russellville, she logged in 508 volunteer hours. “I absolutely fell in love with it,” she said. “It was so exciting and fulfilling for me to help someone find what they were looking for – a relative, an old home place, family history. It was great to watch their faces just light up, and I knew I was making a difference.” After seeing how useful the genealogy room could be, Ozbirn said it sparked a desire in her to see the county have its own designated archives building. “There were many times when I was working at the library where people would come in and need or want things that we just didn’t have,” Ozbirn said. “I often went to the Lawrence County Archives building and looked things up there, and I just thought to myself, ‘Why can’t Franklin County have something like this?’” Ozbirn said from 1989 until 2002, she talked to every judge, commissioner and official she could find about the need for a central location to keep all the records, files, pictures, articles and memorabilia that made up the county’s history. “I talked to anybody who would listen to me,” Ozbirn said. “I’m sure I drove them all crazy, but this was too good of a thing to pass up.” Ozbirn said former probate judge Mike Green finally asked her to come speak at a Franklin County Commission meeting in 2002. “I am so thankful that Mike Green listened to me and that those commissioners saw the need for a place to preserve our local history,” Ozbirn said. The county commission formed an archives department under the county government umbrella and appointed Ozbirn as the director in December 2002. After searching for the right place to house the archives office, the county decided when the county health department moved into their new building in November 2003, the archives office could move in to the old building on Limestone Street. Ozbirn said she has had four other volunteers that have been with her since the day the Franklin County Archives opened – Fay Mansell, Buffy Ozbirn, Emogene Baker and Shirley Duncan – and three more – Harold Miller, Regina Madden and Sharon Mungo – who have also volunteered through the years. “These people have been here with me through thick and thin,” she said. “Several of them played a large role in helping me identify all 214 known or named cemeteries in Franklin County and having 89 of them placed on the Alabama Cemetery Registry, which is the most of any county in the state. “Their support and our support organization, Seekers of the Past, have been vital to the success of the archives.” Ozbirn is an active part of Seekers of the Past, which is a 200-member organization that fundraises and helps support the Franklin County Archives through donations and contributions. “This has been an absolutely fascinating and rewarding journey,” Ozbirn said. “I feel like we have been able to do a lot of good things for the county that we couldn’t have done otherwise. “I firmly believe that you’ve got to know where you came from to know where you are going, and you can find that at the Franklin County Archives. And that’s what keeps me coming back, each and every day. “God puts everyone on this earth for a purpose and I believe this is my purpose – to help other people.”
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Sammy Taylor Not only has service been central to pastor Sammy Taylor’s life, it is embedded in the slogan of the church he has pastored for over 35 years. Sammy Taylor was born in the tiny Franklin County community of Rockwood just south of Russellville. His father, Bill Taylor, was a pastor, school board member, and businessman. His mother, Algie Taylor, was a school teacher. Service was a way of life in the Taylor household and it still is. “My parents instilled in me a deep sense of community and service,” Taylor said. “They also taught me, from an early age, the importance of the church to a community.” Those lessons have stayed true through Sammy’s life. Taylor has served as the pastor at Mountain View Baptist Church in Phil Campbell for over 35 years, the longest serving pastor in the Franklin County Baptist Association. He has served as a member of the Franklin County Board of Education. He helped start a social work program in the Franklin County School System. He also serves on the Phil Campbell Water Board. “We have a duty to our communities,” Taylor said. “We have a duty to our fellow man. “Jesus said to love your neighbor as you would love yourself. But, who is our neighbor?” Taylor asked. He believes the answer to that question is found in Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan when a lawyer asks Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” In the parable, a Jewish man is leaving Jericho and going to Jerusalem. On the way he is attacked, beaten, robbed and left for dead on the side of a road. STORY BY A priest and a Levite pass him buy BART MOSS without offering to help or acknowledge the man. But a Samaritan, a PHOTO BY race the Jewish people hated, helped BART MOSS the man by treating him and taking him to safety. “A neighbor is not just someone who lives next door to you,” Taylor said. “A neighbor is anyone you come into contact with. “Our church has a slogan and mission that echoes that – ‘A Church Reaching Out To All People.’ Mountain View Baptist Church serves over 500 meals every Thanksgiving to people from Phil Campbell, Bear Creek, Haleyville and other surrounding communities. They serve cold water at community events in the summer. They have ministries that reach out to the community on an ongoing basis. Terry Welborn, who has served alongside Taylor at Mountain View as the music director for 26 years, said the church follows its pastor’s lead when it comes to service. “Brother Sammy is a great leader,” Welborn said. “Our church takes a proactive role in the community and I think that is a reflection of Sammy Taylor.” “He has been a great influence on my life and has taught me many things about service.” Welborn, Phil Campbell’s representative on the Franklin County Board of Education, said Taylor was one of the first people he consulted before he jumped into public service. “The first person I consulted outside of my family when I was trying to decide to run for school board was Sammy Taylor,” Welborn said. “I respect him that much. His input means a lot to me.” Taylor hopes young people will carry on the service mentality in the future but he does have concerns.
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“As a pastor I see it all too clearly,” Taylor said. “Our society seems to be growing more and more selfish rather than selfless. When I started as a pastor, one in four or five youths came from divorced homes. Now it seems it’s one in every two or more. “It’s an epidemic that is tearing our nation and our communities apart. The family is the backbone of our nation and the family is disappearing and being redefined in ways that are not intended. “We need young people to heed the call to serve whether it’s in our churches, schools, or communities,” Taylor said. “We need young people to step up and turn this thing around before it’s too late.” Taylor said the answer to any question you have about life can be found in one place – the Bible. “It’s all right there. All you have to do is pick it up, dust it off, and open it,” he said. “Seek and ye shall find.”
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HORSE TRAILS WALKING/HIKING TRAILS CAMPGROUNDS HORSE ARENAS 331 Trail Head Road • Hodges, AL
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PROGRESS 2014
Ed Crouch
The town of Hodges is often overlooked when it comes to what people might naturally think of as a thriving, pros-
perous community. But thanks to the vision of several people and the leadership of a dedicated and determined mayor, the town of Hodges is transforming into a hub for tourism and economic development in Franklin County. Several years ago, those who passed through Hodges might have missed it if they hadn’t been paying attention. The quiet, unassuming town was merely a pass-through for most people who were traveling from Vina to Hackleburg. But today, the town is much more than just a pass-through. It’s actually a destination spot for not only local people but for peoSTORY BY ple across the county who come to spend their time at KELLIE SINGLETON the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park (RBCEP), which is turning into one of the premier equestrian PHOTO BY parks in the region. KELLIE SINGLETON Officials broke ground for RBCEP in September 2012 and, a little more than a year later, officials held a ribbon cutting for the first two phases of construction, which included nearly 30 miles of trails, the day-use pavilion, all 34 pull-through campsites, including four hook-up campsites; 52 stalls; two bathhouses that contain toilets, sinks and showers for overnight campers; and the equestrian center, which houses the RBCEP office, check-in center and campsite store. On the day of that ribbon cutting ceremony, no one could have been more proud than Hodges’ mayor, Ed Crouch. Crouch, who was first elected as the mayor of Hodges in 1988, had goals and visions for the tiny town from the moment he stepped into office, and one of those goals was to see prosperity and growth come Hodges’ way. Crouch started from the bottom in 1988 and began to implement changes that got the town moving in the right direction. And even though he does not take any of the credit, he was instrumental in getting the town of Hodges to where it is today. When Crouch stepped into office, Hodges had no full-time employees, no police department, no place for the water department to store its supplies and equipment, and they only had one push mower to help maintain the city’s property. Revenue flowing into the tiny town was scarce, and Crouch knew he was going to have to get creative to get the town all the things it needed to begin functioning on a higher level. After helping to get all the finances in order, Crouch said one of the first things he did was hire current town clerk Frankie Petree as the first full-time employee for the city. He then went on to re-establish a Town Hall building before eventually securing funds for the construction of the current Town Hall, and the town’s police department was also re-established. Crouch also took on the responsibility of overseeing the town’s water system and went so far as to go to school to learn how to properly run a water system. After helping to implement these changes and after one of his goals of having a town park for children and families to spend time together was achieved, Crouch and other members of the town council turned their attentions toward economic development in 2006. “Hodges is a small town, and even though these things that we did for the town were important, we weren’t ever able to do anything major because of our lack of revenue,” Crouch said. “I knew we needed to do something about our economic development in Hodges, but finding the right thing to do was tricky. Many other towns had answered this question by constructing industrial parks and spec buildings because they had prime locations that could attract industry. But I knew that approach wouldn’t work for Hodges. “I knew the BCDA was giving out grants for economic development studies and to help towns come up with an economic development plan, so that’s what we decided to do.” After meeting with officials who surveyed the town, the land, the population, the demographics and the location, it was determined that Hodges’ best chance for viable economic development would be an equestrian trail. “Everything just kind of started from that point and went full-steam ahead,” Crouch said. “We came up with plans for the trail, where it would go, what all amenities we would have, and we just got the ball rolling.” Once it was apparent that the equestrian trail in Hodges was going to even-
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tually become a reality, Crouch knew he would need someone to oversee the day-to-day operations of the park, which is when he hired current Hodges Police Chief Mike Franklin to also be the park’s director. “We have a wonderful staff employed with Rock Bridge Canyon, and it wouldn’t be nearly as successful without their hard work and dedication,” he said. Crouch has other ways he serves the community and has been honored by several organizations for his service. In 2008, he won the Distinguished Service Award in recognition of outstanding performance in promoting the aim and objectives of the Alabama League of Municipalities; in 2012 he won the Distinguished Service Award at the Franklin County Partnership Banquet; and in 2006, he was honored for outstanding services for serving as the board of director chairman for the Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments. He has also served on the board of directors for the Bear Creek Development Authority for 26 years and has been the chairman of that board for the past nine years. But as much as he has been involved in for the better part of his adult life, Crouch said the Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park is still one of the things he is the most proud to have been a part of. “Now that the park is up and running, it is rewarding for me to see the people come in, from all over the country even, and see how much they enjoy it,” he said. “I’m proud because something like this increases the quality of life for our citizens and the citizens of this county as a whole. Companies make decisions about where they want to locate their company based on where they would want to live or where they would want their employees to live. “I feel like we are not only bringing in tourism dollars with this park, but we are also helping in the industrial recruiting process by improving the quality of life and making Franklin County an even more appealing place to live.”
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“I feel an obligation as a survivor. I want to get out there and work so that one day there will be a cure for cancer. One day, there WILL be, a cure for cancer.” - Milford “Mousey” Brown
Milford “Mousey” Brown For some people, a cancer diagnosis is a long, painful means to end. For Milford “Mousey” Brown, it was the beginning of a war – one that has seen him be unsatisfied with battling just his cancer, but intent on doing all he can to help find a cure through the STORY BY American Cancer Society’s fight to treat, diagnose, WILL STULTS and prevent the enemy. Cancer must have heard the name “Mousey” and got the wrong idea. PHOTO BY He was given that nickname back in his school WILL STULTS days because of his squeaky boyhood voice. That voice has transformed to become the rich, joyful tone of a man who served overseas in Vietnam, set record production numbers while managing alloy plants, and since the age of 55 has
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battled not only his cancer but everyone else’s, too. Mousey lights up discussing his work with the American Cancer Society’s biggest event, the Relay For Life. Relay For Life is an overnight community fundraising walk. Teams of people gather to camp out around the track and take turns walking while there are games, activities, and of course food to be eaten in a family friendly environment for the entire community. It began in 1985 in Tacoma, Wash., when Dr. Gordy Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours raising almost $27,000. The following year 340 more people joined the event and a growing tradition that has since raised nearly $5 billion dollars was born. This will be the 10th year that Mousey has helmed a team for the Franklin County Relay For Life event, held each year on the first weekend in May. Last year his Southside Baptist Team raised $6,050, and his personal efforts and commitment to the integrity of the event garnered him the prestigious Jimmy Fleming Spirit of Relay Award and the award for Top Individual Fundraiser. Because, as many people know, the man is a walking, talking fundraiser. There are candy bars to sell, the car show the Cotton Flats Cruisers help organize, and cans to be picked up off the side of the road – and every last cent goes to the American Cancer Society through Franklin County’s Relay For Life. “As a cancer survivor, I see the need that’s there,” he said. “If somebody don’t get out and do it, then there’s not going to be anything done. The money that’s raised, a lot of it goes to cancer research. “There’s as much cancer now as there is the common cold. A lot of people don’t realize that, but all you have to do is go to the cancer centers. They’re full five days a week. It’s one of the number one killers. “I feel an obligation as a survivor. Now, everybody doesn’t feel that way, but I do. I want to get out there and work so that one day there will be a cure for cancer. One day, there WILL be, a cure for cancer.” Last year alone, Mousey walked more than 105 miles collecting the valuable aluminum cans others have tossed out their windows. People from all over the county bring cans to him to help in the fight but there are some who are still unaware. To the outsider, Mousey, with his salt and pepper beard, might appear down on his luck, but as a 15-year cancer survivor, Mousey Brown is right the opposite. “Last summer this guy pulls up in a big new red F-150 with his window rolled down and he says ‘You need any help?’ “I said ‘Yeah! Get out here and help me pick up these cans!’”
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On a cold day in February, motorists traveling down Alabama 19 through the town of Vina might have seen workers on the side of the road near the Town Hall repairing a six-inch water main that had burst. Ankle-deep in mud created by recent rain and the spurting water, the workers sloshed through the muck, digging a hole to get to the busted pipe and restore order once again. The men working on the side of the road may have looked like ordinary workers, people employed by the city to fix things like broken water mains. But what some people might not have STORY BY realized, especially those who weren’t KELLIE SINGLETON familiar with the town, is that one of those workers also happened to be the town’s PHOTO BY mayor. KELLIE SINGLETON D.W. Franklin may be the mayor of the town of Vina, but his position as the town’s top leader doesn’t stop him from pitching in and doing whatever job needs to be done in the town he calls home. But his “hands-on” approach isn’t something that Franklin considers to be out of the ordinary. To him, he’s just doing his job. “I didn’t run for mayor to be better than anyone else,” he said. “I ran for mayor because I wanted to give back and make a difference. Vina is a place with good kids, a good school, good people and a good sense of community. “I just wanted to be in a position where I could help make things happen for this town and help out where I could, so that’s what I’ve tried to do for the past 15 years – whatever was needed of me. “I try to make myself available. There isn’t a lot of revenue that flows into Vina, so anything I can do to help is fine with me.” Franklin, who is currently in his fourth term as Vina’s mayor, is actually from Marion County, but he went to and finished school at Vina High School where all of his children graduated from as well. Franklin and his wife, Kathy, moved to Vina in the ‘70s when their youngest daughter was just starting school. “My wife just loved this town,” Franklin said. “She had a house all picked out that she wanted us to live in, and that’s where we ended up moving to, and I’ve loved being here.” In his younger days, Franklin worked in Hamilton and drove a gas truck. He had several other jobs and was quite literally a jack-of-all-trades. Franklin has never been one for being idle, so when the time for retirement came, he knew spending time with family would be a priority, but he also wanted to serve as mayor and put some plans and ideas into action. And for the past 15 years, he has been doing just that. “When I first got elected, a lot of things got started that you just can’t finish in four years,” he said. “We had plans in the works for an industrial park because we’re in a pretty good location for many different kinds of industry to have a factory or plant.” Vina had soon developed 400 acres of land that became the Vina Industrial Park just off Alabama 19, and in October of 2010, local and state officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new speculative building that was finally completed in August 2012 and is now an active recruiting tool used by the Franklin County Economic Development Authority. “We have high hopes for our industrial park,” Franklin said. “It was a dream to see it actually come together and the spec building built, but it’s an even bigger dream to see it eventually full of working people who are able to make a living for their families right here at home. “Getting a good industry to locate here would also help the town grow.” Another milestone event that took place in Franklin’s tenure was the completion of the Vina Community Center that also houses the town’s senior center. “We are a small town, and that community center is like the hub for many things,” Franklin said. “It’s a great place for people to be able to gather for different occasions,
D.W. Franklin
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like family gatherings or the local Civitan meetings. There are also computers set up in the senior center that people in the community are able to use. “But the center is also very important to our senior adults. It gives us a place to go to fellowship with one another and just have a reason to get out and stay active. “I’m very proud of that community center and what it has meant for our small town.” And when Franklin isn’t working on projects directly related to the town, he said he enjoys spending time learning more about ways the town can progress and move forward in the future. “Some people may think the meetings are the worst part of being the mayor but I actually like going to the meetings,” Franklin said. “And not just the council meetings but other meetings, too.” Franklin is an active member of the state mayor’s association and said he tries to attend meetings and gatherings involving other municipalities because he believes there’s always something he can learn. “When you’re part of these kinds of groups, you meet a lot of different people, important people, that might can help you and your town down the road,” he said. “Anything I can do that might help the town or help our people is something I want to be involved in. I fully believe if you are going to do something, you might as well do it right and give it all you’ve got.”
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2006
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No one knows the emotional and physical toll of cancer until they have received the diagnosis and had to endure the endless, painful treatments. Betty Sibley knows. She is a cancer survivor. Sibley has been cancer-free for close to twenty years, and her experience is what motivates her to advocate for cancer research and what led to her involvement in the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for STORY BY Life. BART MOSS Sibley wants to help garner attention for the more obscure cancers we don’t PHOTO BY hear about as much. She suffered and BART MOSS survived throat cancer. “Cancers like lung cancer and breast cancer get a lot of attention, as they should,” Sibley said. “But we need to focus on research for other cancers as well. Throat cancer is my main focus because that is what I had.” Sibley said she contracted throat cancer through secondhand smoking. “I’ve worked in an office my whole life and most of the people who worked in those offices smoked,” Sibley explained. “I never did, but I still got the cancer.” Sibley is the former president of Sibley Oil, a thriving Franklin County business that has been a staple in the community for more than 90 years. She has since turned the presidency over to her son, Jim, and the company contributes to the economic climate of the county significantly, mainly through employing more than 100 people. Sibley still goes into work every day, and even though many people that work for the company smoke, they don’t do it around her. “I encourage anyone who smokes to quit,” Sibley said. “Not only does it affect you and your own health, it affects the lives and health of those you are around the most. “If they or one of their family members had to go through what I went through, they would not even consider touching a cigarette. “Everyone needs to know the consequences of smoking and contracting cancer and what it can do to your body.” Betty Sibley’s passion toward cancer research led to her involvement in Relay for Life, an annual event in Russellville that raises money for cancer research. “I didn’t know much about Relay for Life early on,” Sibley said. “As I got involved and saw how many people’s lives had been impacted by cancer, I wanted to make it a central part of my life.” Sibley, who serves on the Franklin County Relay for Life Committee, has seen the Relay for Life event grow from a small event into one of the most anticipated annual events in Franklin County. “It has really grown a lot,” Sibley said. “And it continues to grow each year. “We have had organizers from other communities come visit our event and try to model this one. We are blessed to have such hard workers in this community.” Sibley would like to see the younger generations get more involved with the event and other types of community service. “I know young people are busy with their lives,” she said. “They have children and other things they can do, but we need more involvement to keep this event growing and keep the research dollars flowing. There will not be enough money until we’ve got cancer figured out.” Sibley believes community service is about helping mankind. “Everybody can do something to help,” she said. “Just look around and find something to do and get to work.”
Betty Sibley
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“Everybody can do something to help. Just look around and find something to do and get to work.” - Betty Sibley 27
Bobby Bolton
You’d have to try pretty hard to not like Bobby Bolton. Annette Presley has been an employee at his furniture store for sixteen years and swears they haven’t had a cross word once. He’s built his business as he’s built his life – around service. STORY BY Bolton Furniture opened in 1976. WILL STULTS The first year was spent one block north of their PHOTO BY current location at 118 Montgomery Street. Bolton WILL STULTS started out in the old Todd Building between Wilson Upholstery and Wages Appliances, and a good friend at the time gave him some solid advice concerning
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his business that has stuck with him throughout the years. “He came up, looked around, and said, ‘Bobby, you grab hold of one end of everything that goes out the door. You give the customer good service and you’ll have a good business,’ and that’s what I try to do.” Try is quite the understatement considering he’s only missed a week of work one time in 39 years. And at 71 years old, it might surprise some people that Bolton still does the deliveries for his business, too. “I try to tell myself ‘How old would you be if you didn’t know what day you were born,’ and I never feel 71,” he said. But Bolton Furniture is far from the only thing in Franklin County with Bobby Bolton’s mark on it. The annual Franklin County Watermelon Festival, the most anticipated and popular event that occurs in the county each year, was Bolton’s idea over 33 years ago. The Watermelon Festival came from humble beginnings. Bolton had the idea that there should be some way for farmers to be able to gather together and sell their harvest of watermelons each August. But what began as a way for farmers to sell their crops has now become a place for vendors from near and far to sell their goods, for local clubs and organizations to set up fundraisers, for patrons to enjoy two days of entertainment and home-grown watermelon, and for community members to come together as one united group to celebrate the county they live in and to display that county pride to the thousands of outside visitors who frequent the festival each year. It also led to the prestigious distinction the county received in May of 2013 when Franklin County was named the Watermelon Capital of Alabama – something made possible through a resolution sponsored by Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow and Sen. Roger Bedford that was also read by U.S. Congressman Robert Aderholt into the national congressional record on May 10, 2013. “It may have been my idea, but I couldn’t have done this without the support of the community,” Bolton said. “There are people who have invested a lot of time and effort into this festival and I am just glad that everyone has worked together to make it a success.” And in addition to investing in the business community and the community as a whole – as a father, Bolton understands the importance of educating the county’s children and investing in their future as well. That understanding led him to run for and twice win a place with the Franklin County School Board where he served for 12 years. He now recalls those as some of his most rewarding years of service to his community. While Bolton has been active throughout the county and enjoys looking back and reminiscing, it’s tough to get him to take credit for things he has started and been a part of. “I think that no one person can build a great community,” he said. “It takes the combined effort of good ideas and working together as a team. Then you have unity with people that want to see a county progress – unity amongst citizens and believers – so when it happens, no one person can say ‘I did it myself.’ “It takes combined effort, and when you do that, that’s when you will see a community grow and prosper. “Now, if one person decides to do something and they influence 10 people, then those 10 people influence 10 more, all of a sudden you have 100 people working to better the community. “That’s all it takes – one person wanting to make a difference creates unified effort.”
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! ! e m i T r e n n i D
Sonic Drive-In of Russellville 15376 Hwy 43 N Russellville 256-331-3422
3rd Anniversary March 2014 Thanks for making another year Great!
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Cowboy Church of Franklin County 25100 Hwy 24 W • Russellville, AL Pastor: Brian Welch
Services Sunday - 9:30 Bible Study 10:30 Worship Service
“A place to grow in Christ”
Monday - 7:00 Worship Service Wednesday - 7:00 Prayer Meeting 7:00 Youth
Franklin County Churches BAPTIST Atwood Baptist Church, Vina, AL Belgreen Baptist Church Between Hwy.24 & Co.Rd. 524 Bethsaida Missionary Baptist Church Hwy. 48, 10 miles E. Russellville, AL Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church 305 Bethlehem Rd., Russellville, AL Burnout Missionary Baptist Church 7 miles East of Red Bay on Hwy. 24 Calvary Baptist Church Lagrange Road, Russellville, AL
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College Ave. First Baptist Church 521 College Ave., Russellville, AL
First Baptist Church Phil Campbell 3350 Broad St., PC
Cowboy Church of Franklin County 25100 Hwy. 24 West, Russellville, AL 35653
First Baptist Church Russellville 213 North Jackson Ave., Russellville
Crestview Baptist Church Hwy. 24 W, 2 miles from 24/43
First Freewill Baptist Church Hwy. 43, Russellville, AL
Crooked Oak Missionary Baptist Church Russellville, AL
First Baptist Church Vina, AL
Divine Baptist Church 15099 Hwy. 243, Russellville, AL
Freedom Community Church 996 Villagewood Dr. - Russellville, AL
Duncan Creek Baptist Church 985 Duncan Creek Rd., Russellville, AL
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Hwy. 48, Russellville, AL 35653
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Frankfort Missionary Baptist Church Frankfort Rd., Russellville, AL
Tharptown Baptist Church County Road 48, Russellville, AL
Kimbrough’s Chapel Church County Road 38
Grace Baptist Church 601 Lawrence St., Russellville, AL
West Highland Baptist Church West Limestone St., Russellville, AL
House of Victory 714 Sockwell Ave., Russellville, AL
Hodges Convention Baptist Church Hwy. 172, Hodges
Cedar Creek Baptist Church Turn off of Hwy. 247 onto County Road 90
Praise Tabernacle Hwy. 43, 1 mile south of Hwy. 24 intersection
James Chapel Missionary Baptist Church Old Hwy. 24 W
CATHOLIC
God Cares for You Worship Center 207 Marion St. SW Russellville, AL
Jonesboro Baptist Church Waterloo Rd., Russellville, AL Liberty Baptist Church 261 North East County Rd. 53 Phil Campbell, AL Macedonia Baptist Church 724 Newburg, AL The Mission 1437 Hwy. 43, Russellville, AL Mt. Hebron Baptist Church Co. Road 26 Mr. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church Hwy. 48, Leighton Hwy.
Good Shepherd Catholic Church 1700 North Jackson Ave. Russellville, AL CHURCH OF CHRIST Centerview Church of Christ 158 Cherokee Loop, Russellville, AL Eastside Church of Christ Hwy. 24 East, Red Bay Gravel Hill Church of Christ 1201 Nix Road, Phil Campbell, AL North Highlands Church of Christ Corner of Jackson Ave. /Hemlock St. Russellville, AL Polk St. Church of Christ Polk St. W. of Washington Ave., Russellville, AL
Mountain View Baptist Church 2110 Hwy. 81, Phil Campbell
Spruce Pine Church of Christ 88 Slchernagel Rd., Spruce Pine
Mars Hill Community Church Hwy. 5 South, Phil Campbell, AL My Father’s House Ministries 104 E. Lawrence St., Russellville, AL Cornerstone Fellowship Church 1 Block, Church Rd. Hwy, 243, Phil Campbell, AL New Beginning Worship Center 127 N. Jackson Ave., Russellville Witness Outreach Ministries 2600 George Wallace Hwy, Littleville METHODIST Belgreen United Methodist Church Hwy. 24 and 187 Intersection, Belgreen First United Methodist Church 311 N. Jackson, Russellville, AL
Mt. Zion Baptist Church Old Belgreen Hwy.
CHURCH OF GOD
Gray Rock First Congregational Methodist Hwy 40, Phil Campbell, AL
New Jerusalem Baptist Church Hwy. 24 W, Russellville, AL
Church of God of Prophecy, Hwy. 24 West, Russellville, AL
Isbell United Methodist Church Hwy. 43 Bypass South, Russellville, AL
New Friendship Baptist Church Hwy. 187, South of Belgreen
Church of God, Seventh Day Highway 5, Phil Campbell, AL
Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church Hwy. 24 East near Newburg
New Bethlehem Missionary Baptist
Hope Central 4327 Broad St., Phil Campbell
Spruce Pine United Methodist Church Old Highway 43, south of Russellville
New Life Tabernacle Pentecostal Church of God 714 Sockwell Ave., Russellville, AL
MORMON
New Pleasant Baptist Church County Road 52, Spruce Pine, AL North Russellville Baptist Church 1401 Waterloo Ave., Russellville, AL Oakwood Baptist Church Spruce Pine AL
Phil Campbell Church of God of Prophecy Highway 5, Phil Campbell, AL Russellville Church of God Highway 43, Russellville, AL
One Accord Baptist Church 5550 Hwy 524 W. Russellville
CME CHURCHES
Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Co. Rd. 22
Antioch CME Church Tharptown, AL
Missionary Baptist Church 2 miles East on County Road 48
St. Paul CME Church 406 Hamilton St., Russellville, AL
Pilot Hill Missionary Baptist Church 5 Hwy. 19, Vina, AL
INDEPENDENT CHURCHES
Red Bay Freewill Baptist Church Hwy 24 East, Red Bay, AL Rockwood Baptist Church CR 36, Russellville, AL 35653 Siloam Baptist Church Highway 60, Russellville, AL South Side Baptist Church Hwy. 43 S, Russellville, AL Spruce Pine Baptist Church Spruce Pine, AL
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Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 901 S. Jackson, Russellville Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 901 S. Jackson Ave., Russellville NAZARENE
Crossroads Fellowship Church and School Old Highway 24 & 43 Intersection Heritage Fellowship Church Hwy. 43 S., Russellville, AL Full Christ Fellowship Church 521 St. Claire St., Russellville, AL Grace Covenant Church Corner of Hwy. 24 W and Lawrence St. Harvest Fellowship 607 10th Ave., N., Red Bay, AL
First Church of the Nazarene Shook/Fletcher Rd, Co. Rd 46, Russellville, AL PENTECOSTAL Solid Rock Pentecostal Cleveland & Green Streets Greater Life Pentecostal Church Hwy. 43 N. Russellville, AL PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian PCA 201 North Green, Russellville, AL Mountain Home Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) 100 Mt. Home Church Road, Belgreen SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST Seventh Day Adventist Hwy. 81, 7 miles north of Phil Campbell in Trapptown
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Dr. Martha Morrow Longtime Franklin County optometrist Martha Morrow has always had a heart for service in her community – something she said she learned from her parents, Marion and the late Dr. Frederic Rosemore. Following her father’s example, Morrow became an optometrist and went on to open EyeCare Professionals, P.C., in Russellville nearly 40 years ago. Morrow said she had watched her father for many years and the way he handled his patients. She observed his views on community service and giving back, and she said she always hoped to live up to his good example. “There is not a single day that goes by that I don’t feel like I’m helping people at my job,” Morrow said. “Being able to help people is what ultimately led me into this career to begin with, and that is still the driving force for me today. I feel like I am making a difference in the lives of others, and knowing that makes everything worthwhile.” Over a year ago, Morrow turned over ownership STORY BY of EyeCare Professionals to her partner, Dr. Wayne KELLIE SINGLETON Stevens. Morrow said she made the decision not because she PHOTO BY wanted out of the optometry business but because she KELLIE SINGLETON wanted to free up some of the business responsibilities and have more time to spend on other endeavors. “I still enjoy practicing and seeing patients each week,” she said. “I enjoy the professionalism of it and I enjoy seeing how the technology is always evolving and helping us to even better take care of our patients. “Dr. Stevens and Dr. Britton do a wonderful job and share the vision I’ve always had for this practice, and that is to provide the highest level of care for our patients. “Every single one of our patients matter to us, and we want to help each one of them any way we can.” In recent years, Morrow was honored in several different capacities for her
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commitment to patient care and the field of optometry. Morrow served as the first female chairperson of any optometry school board, currently is in her second term serving on the Alabama Board of Optometry, has served as president and is currently a member of the American Optometric Association Foundation, and was honored by the Southern College of Optometry, her alma mater, in 2006 with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2008, Morrow was named the Optometrist of the Year by the Alabama Optometric Association. She was later named the Optometrist of the South, which encompasses 12 states. “These were indescribable honors,” Morrow said. “I was so humbled and genuinely grateful to receive such prestigious awards from my colleagues in this profession.” Morrow earning the honor of Optometrist of the South was a life-changing experience for her, but something even more life-changing came from that award as well – her meeting and marrying her husband, state Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow. “I, of course, knew Johnny Mack before I had received this award, but I had spent time with him after he presented a resolution to the Alabama Legislature honoring me for my recent success,” she said. “It was after I spent some time with him that I began to realize just how much we have in common. Johnny Mack has a genuine compassion for people and a heart for serving others. It’s what he’s dedicated his life to. That selfless nature and that compassion for others is what really drew me to him.” After dating for some time, the Morrows were married on Feb. 4, 2011, and soon became an unstoppable pair when it came to community service and helping others. “People have started to realize that Johnny Mack and I are a package deal – when he gets involved in a project, so do I. When I’m passionate about something, so is he. We work together and try to do the most we can for our community and for the surrounding area.” One of the bigger projects the Morrows have recently collaborated on is Camp Courage, which was a three-day camp held this past October for visually and/or hearing impaired children at Ivy Green, the birthplace of Helen Keller, in Tuscumbia. The camp, which was an idea Johnny Mack Morrow conceived after visiting Ivy Green and seeing disabled children be inspired by Helen Keller’s story, was sponsored by the Helen Keller Birthplace Foundation and the American Optometric Association Foundation, in conjunction with the University of North Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Ten children from North Alabama, including three children from Franklin County, participated in the inaugural session of Camp Courage, and Morrow said it was an inspiring event. “When the children came to our home at Cypress Cove Farm, it was amazing at how they seemed to be the ones who were teaching us, instead of the other way around,” she said. “They are an inspiration, and being part of this event was a privilege.” The Morrows also use Cypress Cove Farm in other ways to give back to the community through events with the county schools’ Envirothon meets, school field trips, and through their recent placement on the Alabama Bird Trail as site #53. “Johnny Mack always had a vision of this place being somewhere that people in the community could come together and learn more about nature and the area’s natural history,” she said. “We are glad that we are able to offer this to our community because we believe the bird trail as well as the outdoor school room are assets and things that local people should have access to.” Morrow has also worked alongside her husband on the traveling Smithsonian exhibit, ‘They Way We Worked”; on the Veteran’s Day program that was hosted at Cypress Cove Farm this past year; on the rebuilding efforts in Phil Campbell and East Franklin following the April 27, 2011 tornado; on supporting the Franklin County Extension Program; and, most recently, they are working to save Overton Farm, a historical and educational site listed on the National Historic Registry and located near the town of Hodges which was recently closed to the public. Morrow also serves as the vice-president of the Legislative Spouses’ Club and has helped to organize the Alabama Rural Caucus, which is the only bipartisan caucus in the Alabama Legislature. “It may seem like we do a lot, but we both believe that we are at our best when we are serving other people,” Morrow said. “It is just something I and my husband both feel strongly about. “Franklin County has been my home for 40 years, and I want to do everything I can to help the people of this area prosper.”
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Serving Franklin County
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Assistant District Attorney Jeff Barksdale & District Attorney Joey Rushing
District Attorney’s Office
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• Collects worthless checks and service fees. • Prosecutes parents who fail to pay child support. • Handles all felony offenses committed in Franklin County. • Represents crime victims and collects restitution for victims of criminal activity. • Restitution Recovery Unit collects court ordered money owed to victims.
We’re here for you!
Pd. Pol. Adv. by Johnny Mack Morrow Campaign • 1895 Hwy 28 • Red Bay, Alabama 35582
Sibley Oil Company
Serving Franklin County Since 1919 95 Years of Business in Russellville
Thank you to our employees for your hardwork, dedication and years of service. Thank you to our loyal customers for your business! RL Newell, 19 yrs., George Hargett, 34 yrs., Betty Sibley, 38 yrs. and Charles Montgomery, 50 yrs.
6 Stores to serve you in Franklin County Legacy • Cedar Creek • 24 West • 43 North • Downtown Russellville • Phil Campbell
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Bob Tiffin
Bob Tiffin recalls a time as a young man growing up in Franklin County where most people who wanted a good job had to travel north to the
Chicago area. But as president and CEO of Tiffin Motor Homes, he has been able to keep local people at home with good jobs. Tiffin Motor Homes, located in Red Bay, was incorporated in 1972. Today they employ over 1300 workers, STORY BY most of which come from Franklin and Marion counBART MOSS ties in Alabama. Tiffin said his Red Bay roots and his sense of loyalty PHOTO BY have been a motivating force in keeping the plant BART MOSS operating in good times and bad.
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“I remember, after high school, most of my classmates having to go north to find a good job,” Tiffin said. “When we built the plant here, three blocks from where I grew up, our goal was to keep people home and provide good jobs. I feel like we’ve accomplished that goal.” There have been numerous challenges, though. The motor home industry has been very susceptible to domestic and international crisis. Oil embargos, Iranian hostage crisis, double-digit inflation and interest rates, Middle Eastern wars, terrorist attacks, and spikes in gas prices all have played a factor in the sale of motor homes and impacted jobs. “We are just like any other business that produces high-end products,” Tiffin said. “Events thousands of miles away can affect us right here at home. But we have been able to overcome these obstacles and keep the plant operating effectively.” That success is the product of two simple philosophies: 1) Only build what you sell and 2) make customer service your number one priority. “We never tried to get too big,” Tiffin said. “We’ve been able to stay in business through the bad times because we didn’t overbuild and get stuck with a lot of excess inventory. “When it comes to customer service, we let the customer set our goals and expectations. We take our customers very seriously. The first meeting I have early in the morning is with our quality control manager and plant manager and we address customer issues.” Tiffin Motor Homes has built and sold over 65,000 motor homes since 1972 and Tiffin said each one is special because it is going to one of their customers. Brad Bolton, president and CEO of Community Spirit Bank and member of the Red Bay City Council, said Tiffin’s impact on Red Bay and the surrounding area has been immense. “The city of Red Bay has been so blessed by the entrepreneurial spirit of many individuals over the years willing to risk their own capital, time and talents for the betterment of their lives and those around them,” Bolton said. “Bob Tiffin is certainly a fine example in that regard. Mr. Tiffin’s vision to be the best has led to many opportunities in Red Bay, northwest Alabama and northeast Mississippi.” Not only has Tiffin been able to make Tiffin Motor Homes a family business with his sons, Tim, Van and Lex, but his plant has employed multiple generations of families locally. “We have had three generations of families work with us,” Tiffin said. “That is special. It means a lot to us to be able to keep people at home and families together. Tiffin wants to see that legacy continue and had some powerful words of advice to young people who will soon enter the workforce. “High school students need to decide early on if they want to go to work or go to college,” he said. “College is great, but if it’s not for you, then go to work. You will be better off in the long-run. Develop a skill and become the best at it. But you have to make up your mind.” Tiffin also said future employees must develop good work habits. “If you are going to be a success at any job, you need to show up and be on the job every day,” he said. “And, do your job. Always be there. Be accountable.” After 40 years, Bob Tiffin still arrives to work between 4:30 - 5 a.m. every morning to begin his workday. He learned his work ethic from his father who started a hardware and building supply store in Red Bay in 1940. He says parents have responsibility to teach their children a proper work ethic. “Our best employees always had responsibilities at home,” he said. “If a parent gives their child responsibilities at home they will be responsible at work. Responsibility is one of the best gifts you can give a child.” As Bob Tiffin reflected on the success of his company he credited his employees. “We have great workers at our plants,” he said. “We have been very blessed to have quality employees.” And Red Bay and Franklin County have been blessed to have a hard working, loyal business leader like Bob Tiffin.
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Russellville resident and native Susie Malone has been the picture of service and volunteerism for most of her adult life. She has been involved in numerous civic and social clubs throughout the years and said the time she has spent giving back to her community through these organizations has been both rewarding and fulfilling. For more than 30 years, Malone has been actively involved with the Alabama Federation of Women’s Clubs, which is a collection of local-level organizations that are dedicated STORY BY to promoting education; preserving natural KELLIE SINGLETON resources; stressing good citizenship, moral and spiritual values and good health; conPHOTO BY tributing to world peace and international KELLIE SINGLETON understanding; and supporting participation in the arts. Through AFWC, Malone has served on the state board of directors, as a district director, the Alabama Club Woman magazine editor, the state junior treasurer, public affairs chairman, state legislative affairs chairman, state Juniorette director, and was a member of the international affairs, education and conservation departments. The Russellville Book Lover’s Club is an active part of AFWC, and Malone has completed much of her AFWC community service through this organization where she served as president for several years. “Book Lovers is an organization that is concerned with the wellbeing of our community and with trying to make our community a better place,” she said. The club supports many areas locally, such as the Russellville Public Library, the Roxy Theatre, and other aspects of the arts and education. Book Lovers also raises money throughout the year to provide the graduating senior from Russellville High School with the third highest GPA a cash scholarship. “Knowing that we are able to give back to our local students through this scholarship to help further their education is very rewarding,” Malone said. “It makes you feel like all the hard work is worth it when you can see how you’ve made a difference in a person’s life.” Malone has also served the Russellville community through her role as president of the Cultura Garden Club, which sponsors the “Every Light a Prayer for Peace” service each December; president of Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Upsilon chapter; secretary of the Russellville Educators Association; and was president of the Novella Junior Women’s Club. It was through Novella that Malone actually became involved in one of the organizations she is most active in today – the Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council. “When I was president of Novella, someone spoke to our club about the Roxy Theatre and its need to be preserved and renovated,” Malone said. “We took the Roxy on as a club project for a while and that eventually led to me becoming part of the Arts Council.” The Franklin County Arts and Humanities Council’s biggest project is the continued renovations to the historic Roxy Theatre, which is located in downtown Russellville. As president of the FCAHC, Malone was the coordinator of the restoration efforts and was instrumental in helping the FCAHC acquire the theater. “I am very passionate about the Roxy and working to make sure it is preserved for future generations,” Malone said. “Besides it being a piece of our county’s history, it is a place that is very important and special to me personally. “I grew up in this theater and spent most every Saturday here. My aunt, who had MS, sold tickets at the Roxy for many years because it was one of the only jobs she could have. It became a special place to me and to my family, and it’s just a passion of mine to make sure that this theater is preserved and maintained.” Benefit concerts are held monthly at the Roxy featuring the popular KGB, and it is also used for special events and concerts throughout the year such as dance recitals, activities for the annual Franklin County Watermelon
Susie Malone
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Festival, and concerts by big name artists like Ronnie McDowell. “The restoration of the Roxy has not only been beneficial to the city by making the downtown area more attractive and appealing, but it has been beneficial economically because of the number of people who are brought into the city to come to these different events,” she said. “People who come in town for concerts are likely to be eating in town, shopping and buying gas in town, and even staying overnight at the city’s hotels. “We want to eventually make it a multi-use facility where we can hold concerts as well as plays, movies, and other functions.” And if being involved in many facets of the community isn’t enough, Malone is still actively involved with her job as an educator at Russellville High School where she has taught for 32 years and currently teaches business technology applications, career preparedness, and publications. And in true “Susie” fashion, she has gone above and beyond her teaching duties and serves as the co-sponsor of Future Business Leaders of America and has been the faculty advisor for the high school annual staff and the high school newspaper for 31 years. But probably her most recognized position with the high school is her role as the director/coordinator of the Miss RHS pageant for the past 31 years. “I have absolutely loved being involved with the Miss RHS pageant, mainly because I believe in the pageant and the things it teaches these young girls,” Malone said. “The Miss RHS pageant is so much more than just a beauty pageant. There is a strong emphasis on the interview and talent portions, which hone interview and communication skills, and these are skills that will be very beneficial to these girls later in life.” Malone said retirement from her teaching career could be on the horizon in the future, but that doesn’t mean she’ll be sitting idle. “I have always been involved and that’s something I probably won’t ever scale back on too much,” she said. “I think it’s good to be involved, to serve your community, and to give back, and I’m sure that’s what I’ll continue to do for as many years as I can.”
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After a long career, David Tiffin was looking forward to taking life more slowly when he retired in January 2013. His time to relax was short lived. Only seven months after retiring, he was appointed Red Bay Mayor when Bobby Forsythe resigned, citing health reasons. Instead of the slow-paced life he had dreamed about, Tiffin now maintains a busy pace as he goes about the duties of mayor while remaining active in the community. “You either stay active, or you go down,” said Tiffin, 69. “The last thing you want to do is to sit down and do nothing.” Being mayor allows Tiffin little time for doing “nothing.” “The mayorship is a demanding type of situation,” Tiffin said. “There’s always some issues in the town that need to be taken care of,” he said. “Sometimes the issues are not pleasant, but as mayor you have to deal with them. It’s part of your job.” Tiffin was a city councilman before becoming mayor. Being mayor or a councilman is easier in Red Bay than in many cities, because of the pride residents and city employees take in their town. “Whenever we need volunteers to help with something, we always have plenty,” he said. “We have excellent employees and department heads. Fine people live in Red Bay. We have a great little town.” Tiffin was especially proud of Red Bay area residents who volunteered to help with “The Way We Worked,” the traveling Smithsonian Exhibit that spent six weeks at the STORY BY Weatherford Center this past fall. DENNIS SHERER “The people with the Alabama Council on PHOTO BY Humanities, who brought the exhibit to us, were KELLIE SINGLETON blown away by the number of volunteers we had and pride everyone took in it being here,” Tiffin said. “We worked hard helping make the exhibit a huge
David Tiffin
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success, but we were proud to do our part for the exhibit and for our town.” When he does have time to relax, Tiffin enjoys golf, gardening and fishing. He is also active in his church and helps out with many community programs. One of his favorite jobs as a volunteer is visiting schools, kindergartens and daycares and reading to the children. “I try to always make good use of my time,” he said. “It was nice during the short time that I was retired not having to wake up at a certain time and to be able to visit my family and friends almost every day. I also had lots of time to spend working in the garden. “I don’t have as much time for that any more, but I really enjoy what I do.” During the spring and summer months, Tiffin can often be found tending his vegetable garden after he gets home from work. “We close at 4:00 here at city hall. That gives you about four hours of daylight to work yourself out in the garden after you get home. I really enjoy gardening.” Tiffin takes it in stride when someone says they are surprised that a man his age has so much stamina. “When we are younger, we look at someone my age and think, wow, that guy is old. But when you get to be my age, you think someone over 60 is not old,” Tiffin said. “We are only as old as we think we are.” Tiffin said working hard all of his life and running a small business were good experience for becoming mayor in his late 60s. Tiffin said his philosophy while running Tiffin Supply was to treat all customers with respect. He uses the same philosophy as mayor. “We work really hard to treat everyone in town with respect,” he said. “Everybody in town is important to Red Bay.” After appointing Tiffin as mayor, council members cited his years of experience operating a business as a factor in their decision. Tiffin takes pride in his hometown. “I was born here and raised here,” he said. “I’ve always wanted to help Red Bay grow and prosper.” Looking around town and seeing how Red Bay is thriving makes Tiffin proud to be mayor.
PROGRESS 2014
Elect
ALL NEW DIGITAL COMING THIS SPRING!! Hwy 43 • Russellville
332-3619
Proud to document the Progress of Franklin County since 1879
Jody Letson House of Representatives District 7
(Franklin • Lawrence • Morgan • Winston)
Proud to have Franklin, Lawrence, Morgan and Winston Counties in my District. Looking forward to serving the people in Franklin County. Pd. Pol. Adv. Jody Letson 8805 County Road 150, Courtland, AL 35618
PROGRESS 2014
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Sometimes community service is something so basic, but so vitally important, that many people take it for granted and don’t even look at it as community service. Many of the communities in Franklin County are rural. As such, the people who live in those communities are vulnerable to emergency situations. Many communities rely on volunteer fire departments for their fire protections and other emergency responses. The people who operate these volunteer fire departments are unsung heroes to people in dire need. Glen Kiel is a founding member and current director of the Tharptown Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department was founded in 1982 and Kiel has seen the direct benefits of having trained STORY BY volunteers in the community. BART MOSS “The primary benefit everyone sees is the reduction of their home insurance rates,” Kiel said. PHOTO BY “We’ve seen our communities insurance rates go BART MOSS from a Class 10 to a Class 5. That’s a 50 percent reduction in people’s insurance bill.” Rural communities are a long way away from city fire departments and hospitals. Every minute without a response to a fire or health emergency is valuable and precious time.
Glen Kiel
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“We had a situation recently where a member of the community was having a heart attack,” Kiel explained. “It was too far out for the ambulance to get here in time. Our department was able to transport the individual to meet the ambulance.” For volunteer fire departments to operate effectively they are in constant need of funds and volunteers. “We are always in need of younger people in the community to step up and replace the older generation,” Kiel said. “We will always have the need.” Kiel grew up in the Tharptown community. He attended Tharptown Junior High School. When he finished at Tharptown, he attended and graduated from Russellville High School in 1965. He also attended Northwest Alabama Junior College in Phil Campbell before graduating from Auburn University in 1969 with a degree in agricultural education. Kiel also holds a master’s degree and an education specialist degree. The Tharptown community has been dear to Kiel’s heart. He is a longtime member of Tharptown Baptist Church where he currently serves as a deacon. The church plays a major role in the Tharptown community serving the school and those in need. “We are heavily involved in helping the community,” Kiel said. “We work closely with our school helping wherever we can. There are so many needs in our community and we do the best we can to meet the needs we can. “The school always needs volunteer help. We try to step in where we can and serve those we can serve. There are so many children in our schools and we try to help as needed.” Kiel knows the needs of children because he was an educator himself. He has worked as an agricultural education teacher at Clements High School and Colbert County High School. He also served as the vocational director for the Colbert County School System until he retired. As a former vocational teacher and director, Kiel knows the importance of a vocational education. He also believes schools and school systems aren’t stressing the importance of a vocational education enough. “We can do so much more,” Kiel said. “All students need to learn a trade or a skill. “Some will go to college but many will not. They need a good, marketable skill to make a living for themselves and their family. “We also need to stress the importance of building a solid work ethic in our young people.” Kiel, once the owner of a John Deere and Kubota tractor dealership in the Tharptown community, still finds time every day to stop by his son’s businesses to see how they are doing and he goes to a local gym to work out and stay in shape. “I enjoy visiting with my son’s and seeing them succeed,” Kiel said. “I like to stay active and involved. I will do so as long as I can.”
“We also need to stress the importance of building a solid work ethic in our young people.” - Glen Kiel PROGRESS 2014
PROGRESS 2014
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200 S. Jackson Ave. Russellville 256.332.1710
14015 Hwy 43 Russellville 256.332.5110
15290 Hwy 43 N Russellville 256.332.5600
407 4th St. SW Red Bay 256.356.9547
1481 Hwy 172 Hodges 205.935.3101
3571 Broad St. Phil Campbell 205.993.5315
PROGRESS 2013