Maynor Receives Coveted Community Service Award
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Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Board member Tracey Varner presented the Braswell Hatcher Community Service Award to Linda Maynor during the annual Chamber reception on April 30. Maynor has served the community in various roles for over a half-century.
WATER VALLEY – Linda Maynor has dedicated over a half-century of her life to the betterment of Water Valley through service to the community. Her commitment was recognized last week during the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce reception with the presentation of the coveted Braswell Hatcher Community Service Award.
The identify of the honoree is a closely guarded secret until the big night and Maynor was visibly surprised when her name was called during the reception on April 30.
“I was totally shocked. I can’t believe they didn’t let it out,” Maynor shared. “I had no idea, I just knew I was going to the banquet. I haven’t missed but one since 1970.”
Keeping the secret wasn’t easy as Maynor has deep connections in the Chamber and the community. The few Chamber board members who knew the identity of the recipient were tight-lipped and Maynor’s daughter, Cathey Wrenn, was also very careful to keep her mom off the trail. Cathey had to make several trips to her mother’s house to gather information for the presentation while Maynor was away working. Cathey even instructed her husband, Brandon Wrenn to walk in her footsteps in the carpet so her mother would not ask questions.
“She told Brandon that I know everybody who steps in this house,” Maynor explained.
When the reception started, Cathey and Maynor’s lifelong friend, Susan Harp, hid in another room until the big announcement. They knew if Maynor spotted them, she would become suspicious.
Maynor has been a member of the Chamber since 1970. She helped decorate for the Chamber banquet for decades, assisting Dorothy Jane Henry during the early years.
“I was one of the youngest women at that time in the Chamber. She would inspect my napkins, the way I folded them. She would check every knife and fork.”
Maynor’s deep commitment to the community is evident by her involvement in numerous organizations. She serves as a board member representing Yalobusha County on the Northwest Mississippi Community College Alumni Association from 2011 until present; a board member of the Yalobusha County Country Club for 12 years, including secretary for six years; a member of the Water Valley Watermelon Carnival Committee for the last 18-plus years, a long-time board member of the Yalobusha County Housing Authority; an active board member of the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce; a Mississippi Delta Development Committee for State representative from 1988 – 1991; a Water Valley Main Street member; a life member of Junior Auxiliary of Water Valley; a charter member of the Pilot Club and the Southern Living Garden Club; publicity chairman of the Water Valley Watermelon Carnival from 1979 until present; sponsor for the Water Valley Anchor Club; volunteer for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; and numerous other roles in her community.
