Jerrel Smalley Honored As 2008 Outstanding Citizen Of Achievement

March 27, 2008
Do the same thing for 25 years and it should become pretty routine.  But for Dan Smalley, the 25th presentation ceremony for the annual Arab Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen Achievement Award was very new and very personal.  This time the stories of achievement were close to home. Smalley was occasionally filled with emotion as he read from a prepared speech which detailed the life and accomplishments of the 2008 honoree.  In the end Smalley summed it up with these words:  "I’ve had the privilege of presenting this award for 25 years, to a lot of people who have made a difference in my life, but this is a first. My sister Jan Kitchens and I simply know him as our loving and supportive daddy. Yes, tonight’s recipient of the 2008 Arab Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen of Achievement Award is my mentor, my friend and my daddy – Jerrel Smalley!"

Jerrel Smalley (L) brushes away tears as he receives the Outstanding Citizen of Achievement Award from Dan Smalley                                 Photo by Dwight Hayes

Text of Smalley Presentation:

What comes to mind when you hear the word “Outstanding”. According to Webster’s Dictionary it is one who “stands out from a group” or is “marked by distinction”. The person that has been chosen as our “Outstanding Citizen” for 2008 is both of these things.

Let me just give you a sampling of the things that makes him “stand out from the group” in his service to our community. He was a volunteer fireman; was a charter member of both the Lions and Civitan Clubs and was the first chairman of Arab’s park and recreation board which during his tenure accomplished the following:

*Bought the original land for and established Arab’s first city park
*Built our first baseball field
*Built the Community Center
*Built the first park pavilion
*Built current swimming pool

He has served for a number of years on the Alabama Water Resource Commission which has been involved in the “water wars” with Georgia and Florida for over 20 years. This is one of numerous state agencies he has been appointed to by several Alabama governors.

He was the driving force in developing the Lola Boyd Outdoor Education and Wildlife Area. It was during this project that he reportedly used his power of persuasion to get a city inmate released long enough to help clean up the property by operating a Bobcat loader. The inmate asked that he put in a good word for him with Judge Burke, which he did—only to find out that the prisoner was in jail for skipping bond from an earlier arrest. Liles didn’t know that our honoree had instituted a work-release program at the city jail! You can also ask ALL of the elected officials in this area, from Mayor to Congressman about his persistence in seeking funds to complete a project!

Jerrel Smalley, with his wife Louise listen as the announcement is made.
Photo by Dwight Hayes

Now let me tell you about some of his personal accomplishments as an Arab business man. He operated a Grain and Feed business he owned and operated several service stations in Arab over the years; owned and operated Arab’s first wrecker service; owned a livestock auction barn; owned and operated a successful cattle, poultry and hog farm for 40 years and established Shady Acres subdivision.

Well at this point do you know who we are referring to…if you are not sure by now let me tell you a few facts and stories about our Citizen and see if you can guess…?

You may be surprised that he is not an Arab native. No, he moved here after being raised in such exotic places as Egypt, Scant City and Grassy. You may have been lucky enough to receive one of the 40-50 bottles of hot pepper sauce he makes and keeps in the trunk of his car to give away throughout the year or you may have found a “mess of greens” from his garden that he left hanging on your door.

His first business was Arab Shell Service, established in 1946, located on main street in the building now occupied by Wilks Tires. It cost him $1,840 to get started. Fortunately, he had been working for the state highway department and had saved $40—he only had to borrow $1,800! The station was the hub of activity for a lively downtown. Sid McDonald, as a teen, would hang around and wash windshields as people gassed up their cars.

Being the only business in town, actually the only one between Nashville and Birmingham that was open 24 hours a day, the fire calls were answered at the gas station. All the volunteer firemen wanted to drive the fire truck, so upon receiving a call, he would have someone at the station delay sounding the siren so he could run down the street to beat his fellow firemen to the truck so he could drive!

He’s said many times: “I’ve seen more people rust out than wear out.” Heeding his own advice, he retired in 1980 and has been working ever since!

A couple of other interesting facts about our recipient, he ate breakfast at the L Rancho the day it opened in 1946 and hasn’t missed many days since. He also has something in common with 1972 Miami Dolphins Bob Griese, Paul Warfield and Larry Csonka—he played on ARAB’s only undefeated football team as a defensive lineman and fullback on offense.

Our citizen gives of himself all that is humanly possible, never asking for anything in return. He has even gone around the world to such places as Uganda and the West Indies to help those who are less fortunate. He takes time each day to make life a little easier for someone by doing a good deed, spreading a little laughter or just giving words of wisdom to someone who needs it. He has said, “God has blessed me more than anyone I know”, so in return, he gives back each day a little of what God has given him, which is the ability, knowledge and heart to help others.

When people ask to what he attributes his success, he says: “I’ve been lucky and most of my luck came before 9 a.m., after 5 p.m. and on weekends and holidays when most everyone else was off work”

He came from a wonderful family which consisted of brothers Bryant, Rayburn and Ray; sister Mildred, as well as his baby brother Rex, who is exactly two years to the day younger. His devoted parents Anderson and Buleah raised them all on a two-mule farm. He has said; “We didn’t have to work when we were growing up—we could have starved, so we chose to work”. In November 62-years ago he met and married the love of his life Louise Martin.

Four people here tonight know him as a granddaddy; the person who may keep their shrubs pruned or bring by a pot of potato soup, attend their school plays and ballgames or even plant a garden for them-- someone who does just about anything else they happen to mention.

I’ve had the privilege of presenting this award for 25 years, to a lot of people who have made a difference in my life, but this is a first. My sister Jan Kitchens and I simply know him as our loving and supportive daddy. Yes, tonight’s recipient of the 2008 Arab Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Citizen of Achievement Award is my mentor, my friend and my daddy – Jerrel Smalley!