By GINNY COOPER / Staff writer

CALERA—Barbara Morrow, who died Jan. 24 at the age of 84, was a long-time employee of the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum.

Morrow was a vital part of the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, said Sandra Vanderpool Dudley, an employee at the museum.

Morrow, a jack-of-all-trades, the secretary to the president of the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, worked in the gift shop, answered phones, booked birthday parties and greeted every visitor with a smile and a hug.

“She really had her fingers in every little bit, and she was an absolute character. She is going to be so missed.”

Jim Garnett, Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum president, said he became interested in the organization after visiting the museum and being impressed by everything Morrow knew and all of the facts she shared with him.

“She was a great ambassador for the museum. I’m sure she was the reason for quite a number of folks joining the organization,” he said. “She was a very genteel lady—a fabulous lady to know.”

Bobby Joe Seales, president of the Shelby County Historical Society, said Morrow was a “sweet, sweet, precious lady.”

Morrow is survived by her daughter, Leslie Reid of Calera; granddaughter, Brooke Reid of Cullman; and great grandson, Braden Reid of Cullman.

A memorial service was held in her honor Saturday, Feb. 1.