Civic Hall of Fame

2010

Jim Flemming

Jim Flemming moved to Tuscaloosa in 1985 as City President of what was then SouthTrust Bank and immediately immersed himself into serving the West Alabama community. In 1987, a group of local business leaders approached Jim about starting a new bank, and in 1988, The Bank of Tuscaloosa opened for business with Jim serving as the Chariman, President and CEO. Under his leadership, the Bank of Tuscaloosa developed an identity as being one of West Alabama’s premier corporate citizens.

One of Jim’s greatest passions is for the success and viability of DCH Hospital. In 1992, when DCH was working to obtain its Northport location, Jim voiced his advocacy and support of the acquisition, which has allowed DCH to better serve the health care needs of West Alabama’s citizens. Jim later co-chaired the DCH Foundation’s capitol campaign for the new Cancer Center. The campaign was successful in raising $10 million toward completion of the facility.

Jim has provided leadership and service to many of the community’s charitable organizations as well.

Shelly Jones

Shelley Jones has dedicated her professional and personal life to improving the quality of education for all children in our community. She served 32 years in the roles of teacher, curriculum associate and principal in the school system. Shelley was appointed a City Board of Education member in 1997. And when the decision was made to elect school board members, Shelley was overwhelmingly elected by the voters as the at-large Chairman of the Board. She became the first female to chair the Board of Education in its 119-year history.

She was selected for Leadership Tuscaloosa and Leadership Alabama, Community Foundation of West Alabama’s Pillars of West Alabama, State PTA Outstanding Elementary Principal of the Year in 1989, Tombigbee Girl Scouts Outstanding Educator Award in 1990, Tuscaloosa County Citizen of the Year in 2006, among other honors.

Nona Joyce Sellers

A life-long resident of Tuscaloosa County, Nona Joyce Sellers had a vision for and made dedicated efforts to improve the Tuscaloosa County School system.

She became the first female assistant principal at Tuscaloosa County High School from 1982 to1986. She was also principal of Holt High School from 1986 to1990 and served as principal of Hillcrest High School from 1990 to 1994, before beginning her term as Superintendent of the Tuscaloosa County School System, directing its growth and expansion. Joyce also served as an adjunct professor of educational leadership at the UA, helping to train and inspire many education leaders.

The Education Excellence Foundation, a non-profit organization established in 1994 by Joyce, continues to grow and provide ongoing financial assistance to teachers and classrooms in Tuscaloosa County.

Charlie Oliver Sealy, Sr.

Charlie Oliver Sealy, Sr. enjoyed a remarkable career in real estate development that spanned six decades. He actually worked for a lumber company and began selling and building houses on the side to help the booming demand created by returning soldiers and their brides. He helped the common man realize home ownership and eventually built thousands of homes and played a vital role in the development of dozens of subdivisions around West Alabama. In addition to this and apartment development, he was involved in the insurance, banking and environmental services industries. He founded Sealy Realty Co (which has managed over 8500 apartment homes in four southern states), Sealy Insurance Agency, Security Federal Savings and Loan, Peoples Bank of Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa Waste Removal and Rumsey Environmental.

Charlie also held numerous positions of leadership in a number of different organizations in our community.

Frankie Taylor Thomas

Frankie Taylor Thomas was an outstanding teacher, librarian, administrator, civic leader, religious leader and volunteer for many organizations representing worthy causes.

Frankie worked as a teacher at Coaling High School and Fayette County Training School before becoming the first black faculty member and Librarian at University of Alabama Library in 1969.

A force for change and improvement, Frankie made her way gently through barriers to achieve improvements for future black faculty at the UA. She also worked tirelessly for improved funding for new Tuscaloosa County School system facilities as well as for improved library service.

She was a pastor’s wife, married to the Rev. EV Taylor, and, together, they founded Mt. Galilee Baptist Church in Northport.