Rachel Willeford, left, congratulates Walker County Citizen of the Year Marilyn Ransom.Marilyn Ransom dedicated her entire life to books, learning and teaching. And this year, Walker County recognized her efforts and named her the 2016 Walker County Citizen of the Year.
Many of the influential changes in LaFayette and Walker County are the result of 86-year-old Ransom’s tireless work to better the local communities, said Rachel Willeford, Walker County Gala master of ceremonies.
“I was just very honored, humbled and surprised,” said Ransom, who moved to the area in 1943. “I think everyone there [at the Walker County Gala] deserves the award, because these are the people that give to their community and meet the needs of the community.”
Throughout her years of service, Ransom served as a board member for the LaFayette-Walker County Library, the Care Mission, Marsh House, LaFayette Women’s Club and the Walker County Historical Society. She was also president of the fundraising arm of the library and helped found a library for the Family Crisis Center and the LaFayette Downtown Development Authority.
“Over her years volunteering at the LaFayette-Walker County Library, Marilyn was part of several grants that benefited the library. She was even part of organizing grant-writing workshops at the library,” Willeford said.