TALLADEGA COUNTY — The Talladega County Board of Education lost a dedicated board member this week.

Margie Patterson Sanford died Tuesday, June 15, at the age of 76. She is remembered as someone who dedicated her life to public service.

Sanford served on the Talladega County BOE since 2004. She held the District 5 seat, which overseas areas in Childersburg. This was familiar territory to Sanford, as she previously served eight years on the Childersburg City Council.

Her peers in the county education system remember her as being dedicated to the people in her district and of being very involved there personally.

Speaking on behalf of the board, Chairman Johnny Ponder said she had a real love for the students and always made every decision with them as her first concern. He remembers that she was always willing to work on their behalf.

“Everything she did was for the children,” he said.

Superintendent Suzanne Lacey agreed Sanford was especially student-oriented and served well on the school board.

“She took pride in attending student events,” she said, adding, “Her mission was to give back in any way that she could.”

Her dedication to youth was a big part of her life even before being on the school board.

Childersburg Mayor B.J. Meeks recalled how they worked together in youth sports, as Sanford was very active in little league basketball plus high school sports.

Sanford served on the Childersburg Council from 1996 to 2004. Not only was she the first female to be elected to the council but was also Mayor Pro Tem. She was very active in her leadership position.

“During her tenure she was an avid proponent of industrial development,” said former councilman Charles Woods. He said she was instrumental in securing property for the Childersburg Industrial Park.

Woods said she was not only a fine public servant but a good friend who remained so after leaving the council.

Aside from her service as an elected official, Sanford worked at Central Alabama Community College for many years. She started as a bookkeeper and then worked as an administrative assistant for the TRIO program. She retired while still on the Childersburg Council.

Joyce Giddens worked with her in the TRIO program when Giddens was associate dean. She described Sanford as a “very community-minded individual.” She was very saddened by the loss of her co-worker and friend of more than 40 years.

Lacey expressed a final thought about Sanford, “Her gracious spirit will be missed.”