Beason wins Duke's Public Servcie Award

Tony Almedia, Vice President of Business Relations & Economic Development of Duke Energy Carolinas presented the Duke Energy Award for Public Service to Joyce M. Beason.

The Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting was held at Broad River Electric Co-op on Tuesday, Feb.5, 2008. Executive Director Gene Moorhead recognized sponsoring corporations for the meeting. Gavel presentation by Gayle White, President of the 2007 Board of Directors, was made to Dr. Hank Jolly, President of the 2008 Board of Directors.

After Dr. Jolly's message he presided over the presentation of awards.

Tony Almeida, Vice President of Business Relations & Economic Development of Duke Energy Carolinas presented the Duke Energy Award for Public Service to Joyce M. Beason. Mrs. Beason has served the community of Cherokee County as well as the state of South Carolina in extraordinary capacities primarily devoted to the well-being of senior citizens. She has considered her job as a ministry and remarks that her "goal in life is to be honest, work hard, care for the hurting, lonely people, offer new opportunities to all seniors, leave a lasting legacy, and above all, finishing well."

This year's Hall of Fame Awards were presented to Mr. Hoke Parris and posthumously to the Rev. Fleming J. Means.

Mr. Parris is a Cherokee County native and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Serving as Chairman of the Board of Deacons for many years, he remains an active member of Draytonville Baptist Church. He is a member of Woodman of the World, a Mason and has served as President of the Draytonville Water Works since 1979. Councilman Parris was elected to represent District 6 on County Council in 1988 and has served as Chairman for the past 16 years.

Rev. Fleming J. Means, a native of Newberry, S.C., passed away in December of 2006. He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II, receiving numerous decorations.

Rev. Means was a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, N.C., and received a Master's Degree in history from N.C. Central University in Durham. He further studied at USC Upstate and Winthrop University. Prior to serving as Assistant Principal at West Junior High School and as a Board Member of Cherokee County Schools he taught at Academy Street School and became Assistant Principal at Granard High School.

The keynote speaker was the Honorable David H. Wilkins, US Ambassador to Canada. The 21st United States Ambassador to Canada, Mr. Wilkins served in the South Carolina House of Representatives as speaker of the House for 25 years. His distinguished career includes being named National Republican Legislator of the Year. He is a native of Greenville, S.C. He and his wife, Susan, a Cherokee County native, have two sons, James and Robert.

The meeting concluded with remarks from Mr. Ed Elliott who served throughout the evening as Master of Ceremonies.