At the 2010 American Values Dinner held at Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center, the BSA honored Herman Terrell, Frank Reaves and Moran Colburn for their dedication to their communities and area youth.
This type of dedication had the guests attending the dinner digging deep into their pockets to donate $18,645 toward programs and services the BSA offers. Organizers reported that this was 138.1 percent of the goal for the evening, making it a huge success.
Terrell, Reaves and Colburn are strong examples of why people are willing to give so much to the program, because they gave so much of themselves over the years.
Terrell lives in Talladega with his wife Earnestine and attends Jacobs Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. He has two daughters, Dr. Herimone Terrell and Dr. Hellenna Terrell, and one granddaughter, Amanda.
He served as a Scout Master from 1960 to 1983 and was an active member in the Order of the Arrow organization. He was also a Three Bead Woodbadger, received the District Scouter Award, the Scouter’s Key, the Whitney M. Young Jr. Boy Scout Service Award and the Silver Beaver Award.
Aside from serving with the scouts, Terrell attended Miles College to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in health and physical education, The University of Tennessee to receive a master’s degree in health and physical education and the University of Alabama in Birmingham to receive certifications for school administration and supervision as well as health and physical education.
In 1960, Terrell began his education career as a coach and athletic director of R.R. Moten High School, now known as Sycamore Elementary. He worked in education until 1997 – a 37-year career – when he retired from the Talladega County Board of Education as the coordinator of curriculum.
He also worked with the Omega Psi Phi fraternity for more than 50 years, holding various leadership positions along the way. Terrell is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Talladega and the Lincoln Pride Masonic Lodge Number 685. He has been involved in the Boys and Girls Club of East Central Alabama and chaired the Greater Talladega Multicultural Concerns Committee.
Terrell serves on the board of directors for the Red Door Kitchen and has served as the deputy registrar for Talladega.
Reaves was the ninth of 10 children, born during the Great Depression era. He has been married to Vicky Knight for almost 50 years and they have two sons, Forrest Reaves and Fletcher Reaves. They have 11 grandchildren.
Reaves attended Randolph County High School and furthered his education by receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from Samford University. Reaves received his Master of Education degree from the University of Georgia, his Master of Arts degree from Long Island University and his Master of Divinity degree from the Golden Gate Seminary.
Reaves also took advanced studies at Michigan State University, Texas A & M, Texas Woman’s University and Jacksonville State University. He has served as an adjunct professor for two universities in Georgia and currently serves as an adjunct professor at Southern Union Community College in Wadley.
He was licensed as a minister by age 17 and ordained seven years later. He holds dual ordination certification through the Southern Baptist Convention and the Congregational Christian Church.
While serving churches and working on missions was important work, Reaves was most proud to serve his country as an Army chaplain for more than 26 years. He received two Bronze Stars, two Army Commendation Awards and other military commendations for his service.
Reaves currently serves on the Wadley Town Council as a liaison to the Parks and Recreation Department while working with the United States Census Bureau as an enumerator. He is also a member of Cong. Mike Rogers’ Advisory Board on Reserves and Retired Veterans Affairs.
He serves as program chair for the Wadley Kiwanis program and is training to be a crisis chaplain.
His life of faith, family and service helped BSA choose him as an honoree because those values are ones the organization teaches young men to emulate.
Colburn got involved with scouting when he joined the first troop chartered by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind in 1934. For more than 70 years, he served with the youth of Troop 29 and touched the lives of more than 1,000 deaf scouts. He serves as Scoutmaster of the troop for 47 years, the post advisor for 37 years, the Indian Dance Team Coordinator for 37 years and the Cub Master for 31 years.
In 1953, Colburn served as Assistant Scoutmaster for the Third National Jamboree. He also served on the council camp staff for the Choccolocco and Birmingham councils for more than 40 years.
Colburn served on the staff at Camp Zinn from 1954 to 1963, at Camp Comer from 1964 to 1993 and at Camp Sequoyah from 1997 to 1998. Many scouts met him during the 39 years he ran the trading post at Camp Comer, which is now named after him.
He also worked to build or improve area hiking trails and lakes such as Chinnabee Silent Trail, Lakeshore Trail, Odum Scout Trail, Pinhoti Trail, the Thunderbird Trail, Lake Republic and Lake Achunanchi. He also helped develop the family cabins at Camp Jacobs.
In the Order of the Arrow, Colburn advised the Achunanchi Lodge 135 dance team for more than 25 years. His dancers were recognized with 11 Vigil Honor selections, including one for Colburn in May 1957.
He was also the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, Wood Badge, District Scouter Award, Order of the Arrow Founder’s Award, James E. West Fellowship Award and the Silver Antelope Award.
Thank You,
Clark Patterson
Troop 130
Eagle Scout 1983