Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Council member Eddie L. Tullis will be representing the government category for this year’s class of inductees into the Atmore Area Hall of Fame.

Tullis, son of Florence and Volt Tullis, was raised in the Nokomis community and, after completing grammar school at Nokomis Grammar School, attended Ernest Ward High School where he was a four-year member of the football team.

Tullis worked for Chemstrand/Monsanto for 34 years, during which time he also did construction and farm work.

Tullis first became involved in tribal politics in 1964 at the urging of former Poarch Band of Creek Indians Chief Calvin McGhee, who asked him to volunteer some time to assist an elderly council member. Tullis also worked closely with the council as a whole, assisting them with different issues as needed.

Tullis was appointed to the Tribal Council for the first time in 1964 and has served the members of the Poarch tribe since, including four years as Tribal Treasurer under McGhee.

In 1978, Tullis was selected as a tribal chairman, a position he served in until 2000.

Tullis is now a full-time Tribal Council member and presently serves on the Land and Natural Resources Legislative Committee; Government Affairs and Rules Legislative Committee; Budget and Finance Legislative Committee.

Tullis said his greatest achievements in life have been his family, his wife Mary Jane McGhee Tullis and his involvement in the “efforts of Calvin McGhee, Buford Rolin, Houston McGhee and others to organize and lead the Poarch community from its meager existence to its rightful place to impact the quality of life for the people of the community.”

Tullis will be inducted into the hall of fame in May, alongside class members: Thomas Jernigan – business; Steve Jefferson – coaching; Charles Madison – athletics; Ron Middleton – athletics; George Turberville – military.