By SANDRA THAMES / Community Columnist

A familiar face at the Alabaster Revenue Department is that of Michelle Edwards.

As the senior accounts clerk, she issues yearly business licenses, processes tax payments and sets up new businesses in the system. An employee of the city of Alabaster for 10 years, Edwards gets to “meet and greet” many citizens in the course of her job.

Michelle was born Michelle Diane Vercher to parents Robert and Judy Vercher in Alexandria, La. Raised a country girl (on a 40-acre farm near Natchitoches) some of her fondest childhood memories revolve around life on the farm and riding her dirt bike over the 40 acres.

Edwards graduated from the Louisiana School for Math, Sciences and the Arts. Her husband, Andrew, (a graduate of Northeast Louisiana University of Monroe) and she both went to work in Arkansas for the home office of Walmart.

After transferring to Birmingham for husband Andrew’s new job with Blue Cross Blue Shield, Edwards sought and received employment with the city of Alabaster.

One daughter, Samantha, who will soon be 4 years old is the delight of her mommy, whose work area displays many cute pictures of life with Samantha.

“I want to watch my daughter grow up and go to college,” said Edwards.

Another dream of Edwards is to travel to far away places.

“My husband and I went to Istanbul, Turkey,” she said. “Half the city is in Asia and half in Europe. It was unbelievable.”

Before the birth of her daughter, Edwards enjoyed participating in our local South City Theater. She now enjoys reading, TV, movies and spending lots of time with Samantha.

During the January snowstorm, little Samantha had to spend the night at her daycare in Riverchase.

“I almost lost it,” said Edwards.

Like so many others, neither parent could get to her.

Edwards’ parents moved to Alabaster from their farm when Edwards was expecting. There is only one other grandchild, a 26-year-old grandson, so Samantha is a joy to the Verchers.

Being a responsible and knowledgeable employee is important to Edwards.

“Do your best always and support your friends and family,” she said.