1995
"There's no question that she' s made a difference in ll nbitat for Humanity in all the capacities she's served in," said Martha Lloyd. a Habitat volunteer and for'mer presi– dent. "It's obvious she enjoys her work and she volunteers becaQ.se ofher enthusiasm and belief in the cause of this group."
and bar n - desig nt~ cl wit.h Beth's wishes in mind - to bring joy to otht'J l'hilclren . "We hope to u '' 1 his ho\IIHl some way to share whut Wt:\-:e been blessed with hnvi ll !;l. Wo want it to b<• 11 pllii'O fiu ' luds to come and play nnll Ill' Ill the CO\IIli·I'Y, 1111cf no( hav<> to nbo u t a 11
just loved it. "My family alway!) W(!lll camping every summer fot vacation," she r ecalls . "We'd camp in Mexico, and I was the only one who knew any Span– ish. It got us around and that's what interested me. " ... That's what I try to tell my students at ECCC," she said. "You never know what door it can open." Surles grew up i~
profit organization established to provide for the needs of chil– dren and young people in the area. The Humanitarian Award is presented annually to a person, organization or business that goes above and beyond its normal responsibili– ties to help today'slouth. "The Junior uxiliary's basic focus is to help children," said Susan Speed, Junior Aux– iliary Humani tarian award committee chairman, who pre– sented Surles the award earli– er this week. She said Surles' dedicated involvement the lives of youth everywhere gained her the recognition , particularly her wo rk with Habitat for Humanity. "We feel like with a strong home s ituation. a child has a much better chance of prosper– ing in life. If they are reared in a complex or renial situation. the r e's a chance they might encounter some bud influences thr.~ would keep thut from ever becomin.g reality. Murion' H work through llnhitnt for Humanity has helped provide many, many children homeH and chances thnt they might never have had otherwise." Some of the ways Surles accomplishes volunteer work while juggling a family and a part-time job includes her church. She founded the Christian Life Club, a Bible club for chil– dren at Central United Methodist Church, where she also serves on the administra– tive board. She is also active in Cowboys for Christ, an inter– national organization that pro– motes the well-being, minds and bodies of little cowboys and cowgirls. Since she was a child, Surles has been called on to translate Spanish - one of the great loves of her life. "It start– ed in elementary school, and I
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Columbus and graduat– ed from Mississippi State University with a master's degree in Spanish. She married Ross Surl es who \Vas coaching in the sc oo w ere s te was teaching Span– ish. The couple moved to Mrridi– Dehlta 1 at hthe s ut 1
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taught nl Mt•rHI inn I I igh School, and las t fall slw accepted 11 Lt'tH·hi ng pos ition nl l•~uHt Centta l ( 'olll • munity College. The couple hat> two ch llclnm, Fran 7, and Callie Jo, 3. Thllit oldest daughter, Beth, cliPd in an automobile accident in IH!l:l at the age of 9. The crash uiHo claimed the life of Mr. Surlt•t' mother. Following the acciaen t . tho Surleses waited a year to bu ild the home oragi nally des•grH'd to give Beth her d ream of being around horses. "Moving out here 1wns lwr dream," Surles said after only a few months m her new west Lauderdale County home ".it's kind of bitter sweet." But the swee t sidP of the story is that Surles md her family plan to use t e home
lowing in Mac l.illl'lll~s· foot– st~ ps," said Surles, who is
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"1\lttt' i.tut ,il:l it. P'~."AIItt ;w ho duos uot tiiJnd ~pvt••t; td h(:e ti lil t) lo ol.h e t'8; ns s ht ! hu s JIIIIW:cl by I ho t'lltllli lr~ss hutti'S uhe l111s givt:n to II a bit ut. fol' Hulllllltit y," S pt.:ed suid . "Ilrr wo •·k has hldptid provid e a dreum co nH~ true for many," slw added. "She doesn't gel caught up in her own life and own prob– lems so much that she can 't look beyond that and help other peopl e," said Katy Watkins, a Habitat volunteer, who is also a longtime friend of Surles. "I think that she feels a r eal concern for all children and all families."
lltt~ second recipient of the JA nwanl. Burnt;s, head football coach at Meridian H~gh School, was named last year. "I just think the world of htm. He gives his whole life to helping children, really his whole family does. And he gets to know his players. He even gets involved with their home life. I mean he doesn't just coach football." As did Barnes, Sur'les received a plaque. The Auxil– iary will also donate $500 to a charity in her honor.
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