For nearly three decades, the name Marie Manning has been synonymous with community service. Thursday, that dedication to Pell City and St. Clair County  earned Manning the distinction of East Alabama Woman of Distinction through the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama.

“Her record of service to her community is unequaled. She is now and has been an integral part of virtually every progressive project undertaken in St. Clair County during the past 20 years. Her enthusiasm and commitment to those causes she believes in almost certainly guarantee success,” Pell City Mayor Bill Hereford wrote in a nomination letter.

While Manning has never been a Girl Scout, she said she’s had respect for the organization since childhood.

“I saw the Girl Scouts in their cute little green uniforms, and I didn’t know what it was, but I was in awe of what it had to mean,” Manning said. “It’s an honor to be recognized, because there is no program today that’s more beneficial to young women anywhere.”

Manning began her career in education in 1970 working at Munford High School. She moved to Pell City in 1974 to serve as a science teacher at Duran Jr. High School, where she also served as a Library Media Specialist and Drug and Health Education Coordinator in addition to jobs at Ashville High School, Jefferson State Community College and as superintendent of St. Clair County Schools.

In fact, Duran Jr. High is where her passion for serving her community was born.

“When I was a Library Media Specialist at Duran, I had a principal that encouraged us not only to teach school, but to reach out to the community. Through that and working with the church, it was just natural to help people,” Manning said. “Being in education, a person must have a servant’s heart to do a good job. I believe teachers are called by God.”

Her career in education and heart for service led her to service in many organizations, from the YWCA of Central Alabama Domestic Violence Center to the Leadership St. Clair Board of Directors.

However, her most recent endeavor started when she was elected to a position on the St. Clair County Board of Education last year. While it isn’t a volunteer position, the work is near and dear to her heart as a retired educator.

“Being back in that arena has blessed me. I enjoy it, but it’s time consuming. I enjoy everything about education. I worked for 32 years and hardly had a bad day. I felt like I had something to offer during this critical time in education,” Manning said.

While her family works and attends school during the day, Marie finds that volunteer work keeps her busy and fulfilled, whatever projects present themselves.

“When people know you’re willing, you get lots of offers to help. I appreciate people thinking that I could be of help. I could never repay this county for what it has done for me,” Manning said.