Nowell presented with the ‘Citizen of the Year’ Award

Guy Nowell loves Neshoba County but said his legacy is his loving family as he accepted the Citizen of the Year Award Monday night at the CDP banquet.

Jenny Lynn Wilkerson presented Nowell with the Citizen of the Year Award to a standing ovation.

Wilkerson said Nowell is worthy of Citizen of Year for things such as “rescuing a stranger from a dog attack even though he would be injured, saving a stranded kittycat from swift downtown traffic, the American flag flown daily at his home, and lining his yard with hundreds of USA flags on special holidays, carrying a garbage bag to pick up litter on his daily runs or bike rides, and also gently tossing his neighbor’s newspaper to their doorstep avoiding a potential slippery retrieval.”

Nowell said he was humbled. “I’m very grateful to the CDP and all who had a part in my selection for this awesome honor. I’m extremely proud to be from Neshoba County and to serve my county for almost 12 years as your Chancery Clerk,” he said. 

“We have a special community made up of fine, giving individuals,” he said “Having been blessed to live here for my 70 years on Earth, I’m also blessed with special relationships with so many of you. It’s obvious to me that there are many selfless, caring, and giving individuals in our community who could qualify for this recognition. I’m just honored to be counted among those.”

Nowell’s local contributions include past president of the Philadelphia/Neshoba Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Rotary Club and the Philadelphia Sertoma Club, Director of the Heart of Dixie Triathlon and former member of the Neshoba County Fair Board of Directors.

His services and contributions outside of Neshoba County include past county representative for East Central Community College and Warrior Club and Workforce Development Council Member. 

“I’m challenged by my faith and moral compass to be my best and to do my best,” he said. “To give and to serve from my heart, knowing that I am always a work in progress.

“I consider myself a very blessed man. God has been so good to me. After my Christian faith and salvation, I count my greatest blessings to be my family and friends.”

Nowell recognized his mother and father, daughter and her husband, his wife, grandchildren, his sister and brother-in-law, and a few more. “I love all y’all,” he said. 

Nowell said he honored his late father-in-law by wearing one of his ties to the event.

“If at the end of my life, I’ve raised kind, loving humans who love Jesus, that will be my greatest accomplishment,” he said.

Nowell is a part of the Mississippi Chancery Clerk Association as Education chairperson and a board member of the East Central Planning and Development District.

He recognized Kathy Greer, Gidget Tate, Ashley Duran, and Wanda Savell for being “tremendous ladies” and for making his life so much easier in the Chancery Clerk’s office.

Nowell was involved with the Mississippi Young Bankers Association and has also served as a past member of the Parish Council at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) teacher, and finance committee.

He was also a volunteer Little League baseball coach and football coach at Northside Park.

Nowell has also served as past director of United Way, past memorials chairman of the American Cancer Society, treasurer of Neshoba County Habitat for Humanity, and a speaker for Leadership Neshoba. 

“I’m always challenged by the lyrics of an old hymn that I really like,” he said. 

“May all who come behind us find us faithful. May the fire of our devotion light their way. 

“May the footprints that we leave, leave them to believe, and the lives that we live inspire them to obey.”