Roddys earn Lifetime Achievement award; Jerry Lacy Citizen of Year
BY SUZANNE LOUDAMY Staff writer

Troup Police Chief Pat Hendrix congratulates Officer of the Year Lanny Becker. In the top photo, Mayor John Whitsell reads a proclamation for Lifetime Achievement honorees R.J. and Navoleine Roddy.

Well over 200 people gathered last week for the Troup Chamber of Commerce banquet. The crowd was treated to a dinner of BBQ brisket and sausage, baked potatoes, coleslaw, beans and cobbler. The dinner was prepared and served by the Troup Women's Civic Organization with the help of Troup athletes.

Door prizes were distributed and displays from area businesses, candidates and organizations were enjoyed by the record numbers in attendance.

Mayor John Whitsell served as master of ceremonies for the program.

Special guest speaker Sheriff J.B. Smith shared his PGrated jail-house humor with the audience.

"While watching an old John Wayne movie the other night I came to wonder," Smith said. "Why does a kamikaze pilot wear a helmet?"

Smith also had serious words for the group. He talked about how you can tell that Troup is the kind of town people want to live in. He praised the schools for their continued success, the city for their vision for the future and the citizens for their support of all that is good in and for Troup.

"This life we are living is all about what you think about," Smith said. "What you think about God, what you think about your family and what you think about your town."

Several awards were presented throughout the program.

Educators of the year were honored for their contributions to their campuses. JoAnn Herington from Troup Elementary, Jill Smith from the middle school and Pam Starkey from the high school all received awards for their excellence in the classroom. David Sutton was chosen as the first auxiliary employee of the year. The Rotary Club of Troup sweetened the deal with $500 for each of the teachers and campus administrators contributed to a special monetary award for Sutton.

A very special couple in education, R.J. and Navoleine Roddy were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the district. Along with their names being placed on a plaque that hangs in the Troup ISD office, Mayor Whitsell read a proclamation marking March 4 as R.J. and Navoleine Roddy Day in Troup. All of the faculty will wear specially made t-shirts on that date to observe the occasion.

Troup City Administrator Russ Obar presents the Business of the Year award to Brookshire Grocery Co. Accepting is store manager Aquilla Crater. Brookshire's was commended for its generosity to the community in many ways, including food donations to Troup Cares and allowing local groups to use the store grounds for fund-raising.

Also commended for their dedication to the community were firefighter of the year Chief Tim Mager, police officer of the year Lanny Becker and business of the year, Brookshire Grocery Co. Representing the Troup store was their manager Aquilla Crater.

Jerry Lacy was surprised as citizen of the year for the tireless help he lends to many areas of the community. Whether it's helping out Santa during the Christmas season or working with the ladies at Petals Flower shop. A note from those ladies was shared with the audience.

Mike Cline presents the Citizen of the Year award to Jerry Lacy. See more Troup chamber banquet photos, page 5B.

"You are such an important part of our shop's success. You always show up at our door with a smile on your face and kind word for everyone present," Michele and Jennifer said. "To us, and everyone who knows you, no one is more deserving of this award. You personify the kind-heartedness that gives small towns like Troup their charm."