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By DAISY WASHINGTON / Community Columnist

Judy Harmon Acker’s career as an educator spanned 33 years at Thompson Elementary School as a second-grade teacher.

“I enjoyed that age; they loved their teacher! You can see on their faces when they catch on, it’s such a rewarding experience,” she said.

Acker retired in 1993. The oldest of three children, she enjoys writing about her own wonderful family.

She has chronicled events and adventures such as vacations, her children’s experiences learning to drive a straight shift car in a book she has titled “Judy’s Stories.”

“Many of the things are quite funny. They weren’t particularly so at the time, but looking back to when they happened, it makes you laugh,” she said.

She likes to sew and is active in the church she attends, Westwood Baptist Church in Alabaster.

A member since 1981, she has served as a Sunday School teacher. She taught the women’s class.

“The women are very knowledgeable and have a very sweet personality,” she said.

Acker is also a member of the church choir.

During her two-year attendance at the Alabaster Senior Center, she led the music program.

Acker has been married to her spouse, Daniel or “Dan,” for the past six decades.

“I liked his kindness, he cares about others, and he is such a people person,” she said. “You have to be in love, let one lead … I think it’s the husband. We agree on certain things, and if there was ever a question, we used his wisdom. Dan is definitely a man of God; he has qualities that everyone appreciates. I’m still amazed that we are still in love. We have different personalities.”

The Ackers have always stressed the importance of education to their four children, who each hold a master’s degree.

They have 13 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

“They are all very smart and desire to give,” Judy said.

Judy became an RSVP member in 2012 and is a recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.