Award winners named at banquet
2012 Volunteer of the Year Mark Wilson congratulates 89 year-old Grady Fuller for his Hall of Fame Award at Thursday’s Partnership Banquet.
As Grady Fuller clutched the large Hall of Fame trophy that he had just been presented at the Franklin County Partnership Awards Banquet Thursday night honoring him for his work spent as a missionary in foreign lands, Fuller’s thoughts had already turned to the next trip he will take.
“I will be going to Brazil in June and then to India after that,” said Fuller, who will turn 90 years old in October.
A retired history professor from Northwest Junior College, Fuller heard the calling to serve as a missionary at the ripe age of 73. Since that time he has traveled across the world hand delivering Bibles and sharing the gospel message.
After making four trips to India, the village of Anakapalle named its orphanage after him.
During Thursday night’s annual Partnership Awards Banquet hosted by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and the Franklin County Development Authority, Fuller was given the Hall of Fame award.
“This is very nice to be honored like this,” Fuller said, but quickly added that recognition for his work was not why he did it.
“I feel like the Lord called me to do it and as long as he wants me to go, I will go.”
The Partnership Awards are a collaborative effort between the two organizations to recognize county businesses and individuals who work to make Franklin County a better place to live, worship and work.
The following is a list of Thursday’s winners:
• Distinguished Service, Russellville – Dr. Wade Wallace, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church
• Distinguished Service, Phil Campbell – Mayor Jerry Mays
• Distinguished Service, Red Bay – Mayor Bobby Forsythe
• Distinguished Service, at large – Hodges Mayor Ed Crouch
• Beautification Award, Russellville – Wendy’s
• Beautification Award, Phil Campbell – Phil Campbell Drugs
• Beautification Award, Red Bay – Big Star
• Business of the Year – Ambulance Billing Service
• Unsung Hero Award – Barry Pounders, Phil Campbell
• Volunteer of the Year – Russellville volunteer firefighter Mark Wilson
• Hall of Fame Award – Grady Fuller
• Franklin County’s Best Kept Secret Award – the cabins operated by the Bear Creek Development Authority
• Excellence in Industrial Growth Award – OPC by Franklin Pharmacy
• Industrial Support Award – Franklin Electric Cooperative
• Industry of the Year – Mills Shaving and Mulch, Inc.
• Educator of the Year, Russellville city schools – Rocky Stone
• Educator of the Year, Franklin County schools – Janet Kennedy, of Red Bay
• Robert I. Rogers Award – Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow.
