To make anything work for the common good of the community and its people, it takes more than one person to get the job done. That”s the philosophy of the Columbus Exchange Club”s 2010 Andy Morris Book of Golden Deeds Award Winner, Tjajuan Boswell.
Boswell was recognized Thursday at a luncheon held the Columbus Country Club. The award was given to her for her efforts in the beautification of Columbus, particularly along Main Street.
“I am totally surprised by this,” Boswell said after taking the plaque from Columbus Exchange Club President Justin Casano.
While she is humbled to receive the recognition for her work with planting trees and flowers at various venues of Columbus, as well as her work with Main Street Columbus, she defers credit to others.
“There are many others who help with the work. Our garden club members, city workers and city officials have all done their part,” she said.
She said she has enjoyed working with Mayor Robert Smith and past Columbus mayors to get funding for setting out plants and trees throughout the town.
“When I first met with Robert Smith, he was a city councilman. He had a long legal pad and was preparing to take notes to find out what I needed. Now he has a legal pad in the mayor”s office with my name on it,” she said.
Boswell, a native of Noxapater in Winston County, said her grandfather gave her some guidance about making a place beautiful.
“He had several farms in Noxapater, and found a way to turn them from just empty fields into something beautiful,” she said.
Boswell said there are some things she plans to do along Highway 45 in terms of putting down plants or trees, but hasn”t decided when that will happen.
The Rev. Shawn Parker, pastor of First Baptist Church where Boswell is a member, said he is proud of her accomplishments, especially when people come to the church, and see the work she has done there.
“When I first came to First Baptist Church, I quickly found out when you want a job done, and you wanted it done well, you got in touch with Tjajuan Boswell,” he said.
Columbus Exchange Club President said when he met Boswell at a luncheon for Main Street luncheon and talked with her, he knew who should be the recipient of this year”s Book of Golden Deeds.
“She is a very humble woman, and her service to this community exemplifies what the Book of Golden Deeds Award is about,” he said.
Exchange Club member Ralph Null presented the award to Boswell. In his remarks, Null said a beautiful town happens because of one person”s drive and initiative.
“Tjajuan Boswell has that drive to make this happen,” he said.
Null said her love of Columbus translates in what she has done through the years.
“She loves Columbus, and she does what she does for the benefit for all of us,” he said.
Null said he quote they decided to use for Boswell was, “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat or gloom of night can dampen her determination to better our city.”
Master of Ceremonies Elton Thomas said this is the 36th year the Columbus Exchange Club has given the Book of Golden Deeds awards.
“It is our longest service award program,” he said.
The Book of Golden Deeds Award is National Exchange Club”s longest running project, Thomas said, and it recognizes dedicated volunteers who give endless hours of their time and talents toward making their communities better places to live.
Allen Baswell was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.