TIFTON — The First Annual Spirit of Greatness Awards Gala has been added to the City of Tifton Martin Luther King Jr. holiday celebrations to identify and honor leaders and shapers in the field of human relations and interaction. It will recognize individuals who have contributed to the advancement of a more ethical society that seeks community in all that one does.

“I read somewhere that ‘Freedom and dignity are not privileges; they are the birthright of every person. Unfortunately, those rights are not given to us freely. Unfortunately, they must be won by men and women of courage. Every day, all over the world, thousands of individuals — some of them famous, many more anonymous — exhibit extraordinary courage in the pursuit of our common birthright’” says Ambrose B. King Jr., King holiday coordinator of events.

The Awards Gala will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Leroy Rogers Senior Center. This is a public event. There will be live music provided by a local jazz band. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by families of honorees or by calling 326-4396. Will-Call tickets are also available.

The 2013 awardees are: Tifton Mayor Jamie Cater; former City Councilman Roosevelt Russell; eighth grade teacher and local associate minister Isaac Ross; the public relations and marketing director for Moultrie Technical College, Jana Wiggins; and former Meals on Wheels Director Marion Culpepper Whiddon. Luz Marti was a part of this list; however, she had a family emergency that caused her to be out of the country during this weekend.

Cater will receive the Man of the Year Award. He is recognized because he is committed to making Tifton a place responsible for co-creating a “beloved community” — one seeks a unified government that promotes, exemplify and encourage individuals and organizations to commit and dedicate themselves to protecting and promoting the rights of others.

“He is what the world famous nonviolent leader, Mohandas K. Gandhi, said ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world,’” says King. He added that Cater told voters in his run for mayor that he would be the mayor of all of Tifton and not just in certain parts. He kept his promise, King stated.

“Unfortunately, he is the first Mayor of Tifton that has ever participated in the Martin L. King Jr. holiday parade/march,” he said. “However, his demonstration of humanity and sincere passion for positive and healthy ecumenical, social relationships is unmatched.”

The Luminary Awards go to Ross and Wiggins for their behind the scene support and work to ensure the King holiday events, planned by King, is presentable and funded.



“These individuals, since the first planning in 2006, have gave of their time, talents, skills and resources to ensure that each program is well presented. The choirs and musicians for the annual King Concert that have come from out of town to sing and play, the beautiful programs, flyers, etc. have been because of these individuals. I am forever grateful for the selfless efforts of these to bring to fruition the King holiday in Tifton,” King stated.

The Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Russell who has been among the firsts in Tifton — one of the first black sheriff deputies in Tifton, the first black to host a gospel radio show and the first black city councilman.

King said Russell is, as current, the longest serving member of the Board of Deacons of Mount Zion Baptist Church of Tifton. He was also one of the deacons to greet the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Sr. when King came to Mount Zion Baptist Church in 1978 to funeralize his church member, the late Mrs. Grace Savage Faulkner, who had moved to Atlanta from Tifton and joined Ebenezer Baptist Church where she sang soprano in the senior choir alongside the late Coretta Scott King.

“Deacon Russell, as he is called in our community, is one of our community’s jewel,” said King.

The Hazel Humber Bailey Award will be awarded to Marion Culpepper Whiddon. This award was chosen by the G.O. Bailey family. Whiddon’s commitment to her community is impeccable. Her award is special because her life is a testament to following that of Hazel Bailey, who saw her career and seized the opportunity of it to defend and uphold the rights of those individuals who did not look like her, live where she lived, attend the same church as she did or could eat at the same restaurants as she did. During the early days of Tifton’s integration, Whiddon chose to teach at Wilson High School instead of going to Tift County High School.

Like Bailey, Whiddon sought to change the attitude of her students who had been scared and disencouraged by segregation, King stated.

He added, “She sought to change the attitude of her community and social circles in order to uplift a changing society for the better.”