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By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE | Special to the Reporter

Shelby County Board of Education member Amber Polk first met Brian Boatman through a shared desire to serve the students and families of Shelby County Schools.

“We were both just parents who saw concerns in our community schools,” Polk said. “Instead of complaining about them, we both felt led to take action by running for the Shelby County Board of Education in 2022. Honestly, I’m not sure either of us truly understood the enormity of what we were taking on in a county-wide campaign against two well-respected, longtime incumbent candidates.

Polk said that Boatman took every opportunity he had to share his love of Christ with others. When asked to participate in an interview for this story about her friend, she said she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share the truth about his life, their friendship, their last conversation and his final days.

“Brian challenged me to be bold in my faith and to always share the love of Christ, through my service to my family, friends and the Shelby County Schools community,” she said.

From the beginning of their campaign, the two bonded over more than just politics. Both were originally from Mississippi, had backgrounds in pharmaceutical sales and had lived abroad. Faith and love for their country were things they also had in common.

Serving others was at the core of who Boatman was, Polk said. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Boatman served his country as an Army helicopter pilot. He was married to his wife, Robyn, for 33 years and was a father to daughter Roby and son Mitt.

“Brian quickly became like an older brother to me,” Polk said. “Our families became friends and our decision to combine our campaigns wasn’t just a practical one to save money—it was a natural move born from a sincere friendship and a shared sense of purpose and service.”

Polk said she and Boatman were later told they were the only political candidates in Alabama—and possibly the country—to ever run a joint political campaign, but to them, it was simply a reflection of who they were: two friends united by a desire to serve.

During the primary campaign in Spring 2022, Polk said that Boatman began experiencing subtle symptoms that were attributed to the physical demands of the race. But as the summer went on, his symptoms worsened, and he began seeking answers.

In late fall, he received a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Despite this, he continued to serve on the SCBOE until November 2023, when his health took a significant turn for the worse.

“Even as his condition deteriorated, Brian never stopped ministering to those around him,” Polk said. “In June 2024, several members of the Shelby County Schools leadership visited Brian at his home to present him with a SCS Journey Shaper Award.

In mid-July, Polk and her husband visited with Boatman for the final time.

“We didn’t know it would be the last time we’d see him, but I think Brian did,” Polk said. “He encouraged me to be bold in my faith, to never compromise my God-given purpose and to never lose focus on loving and serving others.”

Boatman challenged her to continue the mission they had set out on together to serve the students of Shelby County Schools and apologized for not being able to finish serving his term.

“Looking back on that visit, I know Brian was saying goodbye,” she said. “He knew his time left on earth was short, but he was excited and filled with hope. He never complained. He expressed no bitterness about his diagnosis; instead, he viewed it as part of God’s purpose for his life.”

Boatman planned his own funeral and Polk said it was a precious service of worship music and scriptures with a video he had recorded with a final message of love and faith for those left behind.

Shelby County Superintendent Dr. Lewis Brooks gave a statement after Boatman’s passing:

“We are saddened by the loss of our friend and board member Mr. Brian Boatman,” Brooks said. “We honor his commitment to serving the students, families and the Shelby County community. Brian also lived his life in service to his country, his family and his faith. He made it clear in his last days that he was ready to meet his Lord and Savior and encouraged us to direct our lives to Jesus Christ. I will always remember his smile and his words of faithful affirmation.”

Polk said he never stopped serving others and that even in his death, he gave God glory.

“He spent his life serving others, and in the end, he showed us all what it means to live with purpose, grace and an unshakable faith,” Polk said. “His legacy will not be forgotten.”