The Shoals Men's Garden Club Award Recipients

1997 PLANTSMAN AWARD HONOREES

The first class of Plantsman Award Honorees caught us up on some of the outstanding members who served the gardening community in the most exceptional manner. There were a total of five honorees presented at the 1997 Christmas Banquet.

Dr. Lewis Earl Fraser was born in Metcalf, Kentucky, a graduate of Berea College, Berea, Kentucky and the University of Tennessee School of Medicine. He came to the Shoals area during WWII as a physician with TVA. Later he was pediatrician at the Florence Clinic from 1947 - 1982. He married the former Alice Jean Keith in 1939. He was the father of Dr. Keith Fraser.(more)

Dr. Whitey Hall was a native of New Orleans, La. where his early childhood was filled with outdoor experiences dealing with snakes, alligators, shrimping and other "creepy-crawleys" of the coastal area. His early interest in natural history carried over into his collegiate pursuits at Tulane University and later Cornell University where he earned a PhD in Botany. He married Louise Taber Hall, more

Carl Mullins just turned 86 and has been an avid gardener for most of his life. After graduating from ltawamba County Agricultural High School (Mississippi) he entered Binningham Southern where he chose chemistry as a profession. After graduation he was employed by the Tennessee Valley Authority as a research chemist for 29 more

Pete McNees was born December 1O, 1934 in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from Deshler High School in 1952, served three years in the U. S. Army and returned to graduate from UNA in 1962. He has worked as an accountant since graduation. Pete married Jeanie Bullock in 1974. It was the beauty and influence of Jeanie that opened Pete's eyes to the beauty of more

Herbert Sherrod was born in Tuscumbia, AI. on September 13, 1911. He graduated from Cherokee High School and attended Florence State Teachers College for two years. He married Lois Richardson on November 17, 1932. Herbert served in the United States Air Force during World War II. He received the Dykes Medal for more

2000 PLANTSMAN AWARD HONOREES

The second class of Plantsman Award Honorees indentified several highly worthy men who contributed to the gardening community in the highest tradition. There were a total of three honorees presented at the 2000 Christmas Banquet.

H. M. (Fuzzy) Perritt was born in Florence, Alabama, and educated in the local schools. He was a popular student and was elected President of his senior class at Coffee High School. He attended Auburn University and graduated with a degree in Business with a major in Accounting. In 1957 he started a successful farm service and supply business as a Purina Dealer and later the company became Fuzzy's Feeds.(more)

Leon Perry was born in Glen, Mississippi, where he attended school, finishing with seven seniors in his graduating class. After high school, he served four years in the U. S. Army. He married Lillian Robertson and they had twin daughters, Jean and Jane. Both daughters became teachers. Jean married Mike Nabors and teaches in Memphis, Tennessee. more

Sam Wade was born in Long Beach, California on October 10, 1912. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School, then attended Frank Wiggin's Trade School where he learned industrial design and detailing - talents that served him well throughout his gardening career. As he busied himself in late winter, he would sketch detailed planting plans for the upcoming year's garden. more

2002 PLANTSMAN AWARD HONOREES

The third class of Plantsman Award Honorees indentified one member who has made significant contributions to the gardening community in the highest tradition. There was one award presented at the 2002 Christmas Banquet.

Leon Bates was born April 4, 1941 in Polk County, Tennessee and was educated in the Polk County School system. Growing up in the beautiful mountainous area of East Tennessee afforded Leon the opportunity to observe a very diversified array of flora and fauna. (more)

2008 PLANTSMAN AWARD HONOREES

The fourth class of Plantsman Award Honorees indentified two highly worthy men who contributed to the gardening community in the highest tradition. These honorees were presented at the 2008 Christmas Banquet.

John M. Jackson was born on an Arkansas delta farm where his interest in flowers was kindled by helping his mother tend the family's flower garden. This budding botanical interest carried over to college where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Botany and later a Master of Science Degree in Plant Pathology from the University of Arkansas. While working on a PhD at the University of Nebraska he developed health problems and decided to work for Delta Seed Company. (more)

Harry E. Wallace was born in Lauderdale County on July 24, 1948. His first three years were spent with his parents at the historic Forks of Cypress Plantation. His great uncle, Rufus Dowdy, owned the plantation home until it was destroyed by lightning in 1966. more

WILLIAM BARTRAM MEMORIAL AWARD HONOREES

The first presentation of the William Bartram Memorial Award recognized a lifetime of service dedicated to studying, preserving, and educating others in earth sciences. This award was presented at the 2008 Christmas Banquet.

Walter G. Burch was born in Moulton, Alabama in 1926 where his childhood interest in the natural world was encouraged by his parents. This early interest continued throughout his life, and he in turn, conveyed this wonder of the ''natural world" to his three children and countless others. more