Judy Pounders was a people person who influenced countless students during her career as a Russellville City Schools teacher and guidance counselor.
Her impact on her students' lives was never more apparent than after her death, with tributes on her obituary memorial describing her as a Southern lady, my all-time favorite teacher, one of a kind and a special person.
Pounders, who died December 10, 2020, was posthumously honored with the 2021 Franklin County Hall of Fame Award at Thursday's Franklin County Partnership Awards Ceremony.
The award is presented annually to one Franklin County resident whose lifetime accomplishments are both outstanding and historically significant to Franklin County.
Her sons, Darren and Dusten, accepted the award on their mother's behalf.
Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cassie Medley described Pounders as a paradigm of the tradition embodied in Russellville City Schools.
“Many knew Mrs. Judy Pounders because she was a wonderful lady, teacher, guidance counselor, friend and role model,” Medley said. “She truly embodied the phrase 'Forever Golden' and was a pillar that upheld the Russellville City Schools' 'Tradition of Excellence.'
“What better memorial for her 48 years of service to Russellville City Schools than to be posthumously awarded the Hall of Fame Award,” she added.
Born in Ardmore, Pounders moved to Russellville where she lived the final 50 years of her life. She was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church and served on the Russellville City Board of Education after her retirement.
The annual Partnership Awards are hosted jointly by the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce and the Franklin County Development Authority.
Other recipients of this year's Partnership Awards included:
--Beautification Award: Oliver Place Apartments, Phil Campbell. Hotel Red Bay, Red Bay. Russellville Florist & Gifts, Russellville. Franklin County at large: Willow Oak Lodge.
--Business of the Year Award: Gault Signs.
--Franklin County's Best Kept Secret Award: King Drive-In.
--Distinguished Service Award: Jennifer Warhurst, Phil Campbell. Scotty Kennedy, Red Bay. Melanie Malone, Russellville.
--Volunteer of the Year Award: Milford Brown.
--Roger Bedford Unsung Hero Award: Jocelynn James.
--Excellence in Industrial Growth Award: The Girard Group.
--Industrial Support Award: Russellville Electric Board.
--Industry of the Year Award: Pilgrims.
--Educator of the Year Award: Angela Crittenden, Russellville City Schools. Jarrod Massey, Franklin County Schools.
--Robert I. Rogers Award: The Gist Family.
