By By Janet Little Cooper
Atmore resident, Charlotte Boyle was recognized at the 60th Annual Chamber of Commerce meeting by being named as the recipient of the 2006 Lifetime Achievement Award.
The award was first given in 1996 to J.B. Thomas. It is given to an individual who has made contributions to the community over a lifetime.
"The Citizen of the Year committee was seeing so many good candidates for the citizen honor and felt like their were others who deserved the recognition for things they had done in the past and over and extended period of time," Emilie Mims, Chamber of Commerce Director said.
Boyle was recognized for the many tireless hours of work she has done on behalf of Atmore and it's residents. Among her many accomplishments, Boyle was chosen to serve on the Escambia County 911 Board as Chairman, volunteered with Employees Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), local chairman of The American Red Cross and board member as well as a member of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Red Cross, Director of Atmore Area Christian Care Ministry, and V P of the Escambia County Retired Teacher's Association.
Boyle taught school in Atmore for 39 years. She worked at A.C. Moore, Rachel Patterson, and Escambia County Middle School, teaching the fourth and sixth grades.
She is also a member of First Baptist Church of Atmore where she teaches a senior adult Sunday school class and has served on numerous committees over the years. She enjoys spending time with the residents of the Atmore Nursing Home and The Meadows Assisted Living.
Mrs. Boyle was also given a community service award from the state of Alabama on two different occasions for the most hours put in with no compensation among retired teachers in Escambia County.
Thursday nights announcement made by Betty Raley, caught Boyle off guard.
"I was trying to figure out who she was talking about, just like everybody else," Boyle said. "But when she mentioned the ESGR, I knew it was me. Then I began to think – is this really me receiving such an honor? To be put in the same category with such prestigious people like Hooper Matthews who won last years award was such an honor.
To be recognized by a town that has done so much for me was very humbling. I thank God for giving me the energy to be able to do these things and I give God the credit for any of the accomplishments I've made."
Boyle also wanted to thank the chamber and the people who might have had a part in giving her this wonderful recognition.