By DAISY WASHINGTON / Community Columnist

The middle of three children, Betty Savage was born in Montevallo.

She graduated from Montevallo University in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts in social work.

“I wanted to help people,” she said. Betty worked as a secretary at Montevallo Elementary School for 22 years, retiring in 2002.

“While working in the office I got to know a lot of people,” the 76-year old said.

Her education in social work allow her to be a good listener and prepared her to be empathetic to the situations of others.

“I still meet people I first met through my time working at the school,” she said. “Many of the students now have children of their own. It’s just a touching and precious experience.”

Although her employment ended with retirement, Betty’s work did not.

She threw herself into volunteering with several organizations within her community. She kept busy through her involvement with the Montevallo Chamber of Commerce, where she performed a variety of office duties and assisted with tasks, such as stringing Christmas lights.

She also worked the outdoor information tent at American Village.

After her marriage to her husband, Billie Joe, in 2012, the couple volunteered together at American Village’s July 4^th event, helping out in the chapel and Oval Office.

These days, Betty partners with her husband to volunteer together on most things.

A member of Montevallo Baptist Church, she attends to the needs of homebound members through visitation and meal deliveries.

As a member of the church’s Silver Club, she is part of the funding effort to support Shelby Emergency Assistance and the Boys and Girls Club.

Betty serves on the Program Committee, which is responsible for creating and coordinating events for the member to enjoy.

Committee members arrange speakers, entertainment and activities, such as Bible trivia competition and movie events as well.

Betty also serves on the Teller Committee, which is responsible for collection and counting of the offering.

In addition, she works on the Bereavement Committee.

She works on a team of five women who plan, prepare, serve meals and then conduct the kitchen clean-up at the repast after a funeral service.

Betty and her husband have a combined family of four children, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

She has been a member of RSVP since 2009.

She first began volunteering in 2002.

She has logged 8,047 hours and is a recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Award and the Gold and Lifetime Award.