News

Drew and Genida Johnson
walking the Tiger Court

FOUNDATION HONORS DREW JOHNSON

The Demopolis City Schools Foundation lost one of its staunchest benefactors and supporters when Drew T. Johnson, Jr., 86, died August 16 at his home.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Genida; three children, Drew Johnson (Lynn Spight) of Nashville, Tenn.; Nancy Ellen Tucker (Neil) of Yuma, Ariz.; Sandra Walton (Randal) of Lynchburg, Va.; four grandchildren, two great-grandsons, and sister Bette Merritt of Hot Springs, Ark.

Johnson served on the Foundation Board of Directors since 2003 and provided expert advice on the organization's investments.

Born in Dallas, Tex. on April 20, 1923, Johnson was reared in Hot Springs Ark. After graduating from high school, he volunteered for the U.S. Army and served as an infantry officer in Japan and the Philippines during World War II.

He and Genida married in 1944. After the war they moved to Fayetteville, Ark., where he attended and graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1950 with a degree in Chemical Engineering. Seven years later the family moved to Demopolis. He was a member of the Gulf States Paper start-up team and remained with the company until his retirement in 1985.

Johnson always claimed his aim in life was to serve God through serving others. To that end he served as a deacon and a Sunday School teacher for 51 years at the First Baptist Church and as the Training Union Director, Sunday School Superintendant and on multiple pulpit committees over the course of his service.

In addition to the Foundation, Johnson served the community on the board of the Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital, the Alabama State Credit Union, State Hospital, Department of Pensions and Security and many other city boards and committees. A life-long Republican, Drew was actively involved in the political and civic life of his community, state, and country.

Drew's many honors and recognitions include being named Citizen of the Year by the Demopolis Chamber of Commerce and the Demopolis Rotary Club's Paul Harris Fellowship Award in 2004. In 2006, Drew was honored by the State of Alabama for his community service to others.

FOUNDATION HONORS DONORS

DCSF Recognizes
Patron Donors

Westside principal Connie Brown and teacher Tony Pittman shared the second annual Hugh A. Lloyd Excellence in Education Award announced at the annual Appreciation Celebration of the Demopolis City Schools Foundation..

The luncheon, held at the Demopolis Civic Center Thursday (July 23), honored members of the Foundation. The 14th annual event recognized major donors, those who invested $500 or more to the Foundation during the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

The Lloyd Award, named for the late co-founder and president of the Foundation, is given to teachers who have demonstrated their commitment to the Foundation’s mission. The recipients will share a $1,000 award to be used however they choose to enhance classroom education.

Kim Townsend, vice president and chairman of the Resource Development and Membership committees, reviewed the year and gave a preview of Foundation plans for the current year.

Recognized for contributions of $5,000 or more during the year were Georgia-Pacific and Rock-Tenn. Terry Hadaway and Carl Wright accepted engraved lamps for their respective companies.

Plaques featuring art by U.S. Jones Elementary School student Kaylor Baird were presented to Patrons, those who invested $1,000 to $4,999. Kaylor also received a plaque with her art and a $25 check.

Patrons recognized were Robertson banking Company, Rotary Club of Demopolis, Claud and Cindy neilson, Drew and Genida Johnson, Foster Farms, Betty McCormick, Dan and Vickie Wilson, Wallace Wood Products, Louise Webb Reynolds and Regions Bank. Unable to attend were Woody and Joy Collins and the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation.

Partners, those who contributed $500 to $999, who received certificates included the Jackson/Newell Foundation, Marengo Insurance Agency, Billy and Betsy Coplin, Richard Manley, Higley and Paula Parr, Frank and Lucette Osborne and Travis and Linda Burnham.

Partners not in attendance were Fred and Mary Rutledge, M.S. and Lynn Brasfield, Joel and Jayne Colgrave, Prystup Packaging, Amelia Traeger, John Cox Webb, IV, Isaac and Liz Espy and the late Patty Horton.

Introduced at the luncheon was the Foundation’s biennial theme through 2011, “Bring the Focus Home, Home to the Community, Home to Children, Home to the Heart.”

FOUNDATION BENEFITS FROM SAYERS' ESTATE

Former Demopolis High School teacher and local philanthropist Sam Mike Sayers bequeathed $94,425.61 to the Demopolis City Schools Foundation from the estate he shared with his late wife, Elizabeth.

The check was presented to Foundation vice president Kim Townsend by Barry Bedsole, executive director of the Alabama Baptist Foundation, executor of the Sayers' estate.

Sayers' sister, Margaret Carter of Demopolis, and his great-grand-niece, josie Elizabeth McAlpine, were on hand for the presentation.

In March of 1996, Sayers became the first person to take out a named endowment for the Foundation. The gift to the Foundation from his estate, however, was unrestricted. The money was placed in a certificate of deposit until the budget and finance committee determines how best to use it.

Students enjoying one
of the many schoolfest activities!

Sayers came to Demopolis in 1930 and served as a U.S. Postal Service employee for 35 years, interrupted by service in World War II. He returned to college to earn a teacher's degree and, in addition to his stint at DHS, he also taught at Livingston University, now the University of West Alabama, and Linden High School.

As a member of the Demopolis First Baptist Church, he served as deacon and Sunday school teacher.

In 1983 he was named Demopolis' Man of the Year. Sayers died September 27, 2008, at the age of 93.

TURKEY, PANCAKES AND MORE

Whether it's succulent smoked turkey, tempting pancakes and sausage or just a good time, the Demopolis City Schools Foundation provided something for everyone in fund-raisers.

The Foundation kicked off its year with the annual Thanksgiving turkey breast sale in November. Prepared by Tommy Criswell, the 310 turkey breasts were ready for pickup Saturday, November 22, 2008.

This was the second year the Foundation sold turkeys. Before then Boston butts were provided, but increased food costs and lengthy preparation time spurred the change.

Turkey breasts again will be sold this year, with pickup on November 14, 2009.

Then in April the Foundation brought back the popular Pancake and Sausage Dinner. The helpful and pleasant staff at Jack's Restaurant prepared and served the pre-sold plates. So successful was the event that another is planned for the spring of 2010.

Schoolfest again was the biggest single fund-raiser of the year for the Foundation. The four Demopolis City School campuses vied with each other for bragging rights as the school that raised the most money.

Campuses held field day events, contests, competitions, Powder Puff Football, dinners and more, with Schoolfest culminating on Saturday, May 1, 2009.

May thanks go to the chairmen at each school: Michele Tangle, Westside Elementary; Amy Bozeman, U.S. Jones Elementary; Derrick Hester and Lauren Blakeney, Demopolis Middle, and Annie Robertson, Demopolis High.

Unfortunately the current economic climate bit into the revenue this year, and Schoolfest totals were $16,594, down some $6,000 from the previous year. However, U.S. Jones won the rotating Schoolfest trophy over all other comers by raising $5,890.