Tucker named Citizen of the Year
Russellville businessman Joe Tucker (center) was named the 2013 Franklin County Citizen of the Year at Monday’s night’s annual Farm-City Banquet. Tucker is pictured with members of his family (from L to R): daughter-in-law, Leah Tucker; son, Mark Tucker; granddaughter, Laney Tucker; wife, Shelia Tucker; daughter, Melissa Medlin; son-in-law, James Medlin; granddaughter, Heather Medlin; and grandson, Tucker Medlin.
Russellville businessman Joe M. Tucker smiled out at the crowd gathered at Monday night’s annual Farm-City Banquet.
In the midst of family, friends, colleagues and clients, Tucker accepted the 2013 Franklin County Citizen of the Year award and said he couldn’t have picked a more perfect setting to receive such an honor.
“I may be the one accepting this award, but this is an award that should be shared with so many people who work alongside me to support and better our community,” Tucker said.
“My fellow Russellville Civitan members who work so hard on things like Meals on Wheels, and my family who has always supported me – those are the people who should accept this award.
“This is such a great honor for me, and I am truly humbled and grateful to be selected for something like this, especially when there are so many outstanding people in our community.”
Tucker, a well-known Russellville accountant and civic worker, has owned and operated Joe M. Tucker, CPA, PC for 37 years – a business venture he said he took on in faith with a will to support his growing family.
Tucker has taken great pride in his business, but one thing that he valued more than the business itself was the desire to run the business with integrity, high morals, and a dedication to the people he considered to be more like friends than clients.
Through his business, Tucker has been able to help countless other businesses, non-profit organizations, churches and individuals through his knowledge and professional advice.
In addition to providing a quality business in the community for nearly four decades, Tucker has also been a strong presence in the civic community, mainly through his active service in the Russellville Civitan club, which was the organization that nominated him for the award.
“Being part of the Russellville Civitans has been a wonderful thing for me,” Tucker said.
“This group does so much for the community through their fundraisers, scholarships, the Meals on Wheels program and their participation in the annual Relay for Life.
“I have enjoyed being part of this group and having the opportunity to help others. It’s an honor.”
In October, Tucker was named Civitan of the Year for the third time since he has been a part of the organization. The nomination was due in large part to Tucker’s role as the chairmen of the Meals on Wheel program, and his active participation in club projects and events.
“Joe is a dedicated member of Russellville Civitan and we appreciate all he does for the club and for the community,” Russellville Civitan president William Stone said at the presentation in October.
“He is more than deserving of this award.”
In addition to the Citizen of the Year award, other awards were given out at the banquet, which has been held the week of Thanksgiving each year since 1955 as a way of keeping “farm” and “city” residents connected with one another and to stress the importance that agriculture plays in our daily lives.
Others receiving awards and recognition were:
• Cooperator of the Year – David Daily
• Educator of the Year – Neal Taylor
• Cattleman of the Year – Starland Newell
• Farmer of the Year – Jon Petree
• Farm Family of the Year – Fike Farms
• Alabama Cooperative Extension System Organization of the Year – Red Bay Garden Club
• Alabama Cooperative Extension System Agriculture Business/Industry of the Year – Tompkins Farmers Warehouse
• Alabama Cooperative Extension System Agricultural Lifetime Achievement Award – Luther Ray Thorn
• Alabama Cooperative Extension System Economic Development Award – Danny Gist
Winners of the school and community Farm City contests sponsored by Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, the Franklin County Farmers Federation and the Franklin County Cooperative Extension System were:
Poster contest – K-3rd grade: Richard Scott of Belgreen, first place; Mary Beth Fisher of Belgreen, second place; Macey Welborn of Phil Campbell, third place; Bryleigh Williams of Belgreen, third place; Abagail Mayhall of Red Bay, fourth place; Laci Reed of Phil Campbell, Aiden Byrd of Belgreen, and Lucas Chambliss of Belgreen, all received an honorable mention. Winning classroom teacher was Donna Murray of Belgreen.
Poster contest – 4th-6th grade: Savannah Taylor of Belgreen, first place; Patricia Jimenez of Tharptown, second place; Mollie Morgan of Tharptown, second place; Braden Williams of Belgreen, third place; Yohalani Mojica of Russellville, third place; Kimberly Vela of Tharptown, fourth place; and Camron Burks of Vina, fourth place. Winning classroom teacher was Kay Taylor of Belgreen.
Essay contest – 7th-9th grade: Christian Balbuena of Tharptown, first place; Breanna Thompson of Tharptown, second place; Jacob Lewis of Vina, third place. Winning classroom teacher was Derek Ergle of Tharptown.
Essay contest – 10th-12th grade: Hailey Valentine of Vina, first place; Meaghan Hardy of Phil Campbell, second place; Clay Hodge of Tharptown, third place. Winning classroom teacher was Jessica Hamilton of Vina.
Multimedia contest – 9th-12th grade: Carolyna White of Vina, first place; Mary Clingan of Vina, second place; Madison Davis of Vina, third place. Winning classroom teacher was Jessica Hamilton of Vina.
Photography contest: Trenia Oliver of Phil Campbell, first place in farmer category; Cindy Orrick of Russellville, second place in farmer category; Jessica Hamilton of Spruce Pine, third place in farmer category; Lynn Terrell of Russellville, first place in barns category; Jordan Russ of Florence, second place in barns category; Lynn Terrell of Russellville, first place in farm animals category; Trenia Oliver of Phil Campbell, second place in the farm animals category; Cindy Orrick of Russellville, third place in the farm animals category; and Jessica Hamilton of Spruce Pine, fourth place in the farm animals category.
