Tammy Powell, retired Pike County Extension coordinator, was inducted into the Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana Tuesday afternoon.

Powell was one of 19 inductees in the Class of 2013 and joined 132 others who have been so honored.

In making the presentation to Powell, James Langcuster, communications and marketing specialists, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, said Powell’s love of 4-H began as a 10-year-old Houston County 4-H’er.

“Tammy began her Extension career in Jackson County were she worked for seven years before transferring to Pike County,” Langcuster said. “She retired as county Extension coordinator with 34 years of experience.

“She has received many awards including Outstanding Business Woman of Pike County. She is active in community organizations including Pike County Cattlewomen, Pike County United Way and Brundidge United Methodist Church.”

When Powell started work in Pike County, there were 16 4-H clubs with 618 members. When she retired, there were more than 55 4-H clubs with more than 1,700 members.

“There is no way to tell the impact that Tammy has had on the lives of the young people of Pike County,” said Mary Adams, who was one of many who attended the presentation. “All of the parents knew that our children were safe and comfortable when they were with Tammy. She was an outstanding 4-H leader and is an outstanding role model for young people.”

Sammy Adams said that 4-H was a life-changing experience for him.

“I speak for many of us who were 4-H’ers under Mrs. Powell’s leadership,” he said. “The relationships that we had with her were the basis for our involvement in 4-H.”

Powell’s leadership extended far beyond 4-H and does to this day, said Nellie Sue Helms.

“Any time that Tammy is involved in a project or program, my son, Glen, gives value to it because he knows it’s worthwhile or Tammy would not be involved,” she said.

Jimmy Roling, local radio personality and owner of WTBF Radio, said Powell’s weekly 4-H report on The Morning Show introduced the Troy and Pike County communities to many of her 4-H club members from the different schools in the county.

“The leadership qualities instilled in these young people by Tammy and the 4-H program are present as community leaders today,” Roling said.

Debra Davis said Powell has influenced so many lives, not only in Pike County but the entire state.

“Both my children, Kellie Davis Henderson and Jim Davis, spent thousands of hours with her,” Powell said. “They are better people for having had her in their lives.

“Tammy is an ‘encourager.’ She is the epitome of the 4-H motto: To Make the Best Better. Also she is a great example of Christian faith and civic responsibility. She is dedicated to her family, church and community. Pike County truly is a better place because of Tammy Powell.”

Powell said that she was humbled and honored by the recognition.

“The years that I spent with the young people and the volunteers in Jackson and Pike counties enriched my life,” she said. “Any accomplishments that I made I shared with them. Being involved in 4-H is one of the greatest joys of my life. I am deeply honored to be a member of the Alabama 4-H Wall of Fame and was deeply moved by those who came to share this time with me. Being a member of the 4-H Wall of Fame is an honor that I share with my family and all of those who have been a part of my life for the past 34 years.”