CHILDERSBURG — The Talladega County Education Foundation held a chair presentation ceremony Tuesday at Childersburg Middle School to honor the Wilson family, who donated the land Childersburg Middle School and Childersburg High School sit on.Engraved into the wood of the chair are the Wilson family’s name and the Talladega County schools logo. A replica of the chair presented to the Wilson family will be placed in the school system’s boardroom.
The Wilson brothers, Billy and Pat, donated the land for the schools to be built in 1986. Just three years later, the middle school was built and ready to be occupied. The high school wasn’t built until almost 10 years later.
“We’ve enjoyed this wonderful facility and the high school for many years,” said Jena Jones, principal at Childersburg Middle School. “It would not have been possible without the contributions the Wilson family has made. It is an honor to have the opportunity to host this special occasion.”
Margie Sanford, a board member for Talladega County schools, said the Wilson family has supported Childersburg in countless ways.
“Over the years, every member of the Wilson family has been involved either directly or indirectly in supporting the schools in Childersburg,” she said. “Our hope is that one day this site will also hold a new elementary school. What a legacy the Wilson family has given Childersburg. We are grateful and appreciative for the generosity of Billy Wilson, Pat Wilson and family. Thank you, for all you’ve done.”
Talladega County Schools Superintendent Dr. Cindy Elsberry said giving the Wilson family recognition was past due.
“You almost can’t come to Childersburg and begin hearing about the history of the city without hearing something about the Wilson Family,” she said. “You’re very invested in this community and there are many people who are grateful to you. … This is a special time for the Education Foundation to say you deserve to be honored with a chair with your name, that will sit in the boardroom and tell others who come to gatherings there that the Wilson family supported the schools in Childersburg. It’s a way of recording the contribution you’ve made.”
Libby Uzzell, Billy Wilson’s daughter, said the family was honored to be recognized and presented with a chair.
“We’re very proud of the vision Daddy and Uncle Pat had years ago that this would be the perfect site for a school,” she said. “We are very proud that we played a small part in what these schools have become. We were honored a few years ago by the education complex here at the middle school being named after the Wilson family.
“This was totally unnecessary and much more than we ever expected.”
