Profile 2008
UNSUNG HERO: Grace Walsh
Grace Walsh had a teaching career spanning more than 30 years, including a quarter century teaching art history at Jefferson State Community College.
After retirement, she spent the next five years volunteering at the Birmingham Museum of Art, where she was honored with the Volunteer of the Year award in 1998.
She moved to Cullman in 2000 and began volunteering at Northbrook Baptist Church in the Caring Center, which collects and donates food, clothing and household goods to people in need. When the Caring Center doesn’t have an item of clothing someone needs, she goes to a downtown store and buys it.
One example: A mother was scheduled for back surgery but couldn’t find a gown that fit her in the Caring Center. Walsh shopped for a gown and a pair of pajamas and mailed them to her. The mother called in tears thanking her for the generosity.
When a neighbor’s house burned, this Unsung Hero saw the teenage daughter waiting for the bus in the cold weather without a jacket. She drove the child downtown, and together they selected some warm school clothes.
For many years, she and her husband cultivated a large garden and shared the prize vegetables with their neighbors.
From all the purchases she makes for other people, one would think this Unsung Hero might be rather wealthy. Actually, her income is limited to Social Security and her teacher’s retirement pension. She simply has a big heart and likes nothing better than to share what she has with other people.
- Profile 2008
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UNSUNG HERO: James Bell
James Bell — better known as “Bubba” — is a custodian at Cullman Middle School. While his job at the school is important, it’s the way he interacts with the students and other staff members that makes him an Unsung Hero.
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UNSUNG HERO: James Bell
James Bell — better known as “Bubba” — is a custodian at Cullman Middle School. While his job at the school is important, it’s the way he interacts with the students and other staff members that makes him an Unsung Hero.
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UNSUNG HERO: Brenda Graham
The person who nominated her said, “I was always amazed at how she cared for all the children as if they were her own. She gave love and caring, and bought countless coats, shoes, toys and clothes out of her own money.”
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UNSUNG HERO: Martha Gutherie
Martha Gutherie retired from the Parkside Middle School lunch room two years ago. Since then, she has volunteered her time at the school to help children read. Teachers and students look forward to this Unsung Hero coming every Thursday to read with the kids.
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UNSUNG HERO: Marvin Key
Marvin Key began his career in education in 1952 at Meek School in Winston County. The next year he came to Cullman County to teach at Dowling Junior High. He retired in 1988 but continued to work until the beginning of this year at age 85.
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UNSUNG HERO: Dee Lawrence
Losing both her parents at such a young age gave her an extra ability to care for other people. She makes sure that anyone who crosses her path is taken care of.
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UNSUNG HERO: Billie Sue Persall
Love is best shown when someone gives of their time and energy. Anyone who helps others when they are sick, injured or moving into a new home is a special person.
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UNSUNG HERO: Cathy Pilgrim
The person who nominated Cathy Pilgrim as an Unsung Hero described her as “one of the most unselfish, caring and generous people I know.”
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UNSUNG HERO: Grace Walsh
Grace Walsh had a teaching career spanning more than 30 years, including a quarter century teaching art history at Jefferson State Community College.
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2008 DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN: Dr. Sylvia Morris
Holding two floppy-brim black hats, Dr. Sylvia Morris says proudly, “I made these hats for the community theater play, ‘Romeo & Juliet.’” Nearby her beloved cat, Jennifer, lies curled up in a soft chair, sunlight filtering through drawn curtains.
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MARIMAN POPE AND KRISTINA MATTOX: Taxidermist passing the torch
In the 45 years that Mariman Pope has been in the taxidermy trade, he’s created quite a reputation for both himself, and his business.
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