Sunday, May 19, 2024
Jeff Osborne photo Gatesville Lions Club officers for 2023-24 stand with incoming District Governor Randi Wilde (center, with green jacket). Gatesville officers, from left, are, Lion Tamer Carroll Hamilton, Treasurer Richard Shook, Executive Secretary Rhonda Mohler, Secretary Shawnee Miller, Director Dora Jean Dyson, First Vice President Eric Moffett, President Jeremy Stills, Director Linda Klontz, Director Alan Mathis, and Tail Twister Britt Clay. The officers were inducted on June 7.
Jeff Osborne photo Joyce Talbott was named the Gatesville LIons Club Lion of the Year for 2023, and is pictured with her husband Charles Talbott, the club president for 2022-23, and District Governor Darie McCleaves.
Although she has only been a member of the Gatesville Lions Club since April 2022, Joyce Talbott's level of involvement and willingness to help with whatever was needed - including washing pots during the club's annual chili supper - earned her recognition as the club's Lion of the Year for 2022.
"Since joining she has participated in almost every event - the golf tournament, chili supper, Salvation Army, working as a Care Center volunteer, et cetera," said Tom Creek, who announced the award during the June 7 Gatesville Lions Club banquet. "She is always willing to help out, and sends out get well and sympathy cards, plus baking rolls."
When asked about her response to the recognition, Talbott, who is wife of 2022-23 Lions Club President Charles Talbott, said it is a team effort that makes the local Lions Club successful.
"I feel like it's the whole group that made this possible," she said. "Everyone is so active. I appreciate it, but you can give the award to the whole club."
Talbott spent 27 years as a public school teacher, including several at Gatesville Elementary, and also taught at a private preschool for five years. She earned a Bachelor of Science at Texas Tech University, majoring in math and science. She also earned an elementary teaching certificate from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
Talbott is an avid gardener, and in the past was a bike rider in several races and participated in numerous fun runs. She is active in the Global Methodist Church, and she and her husband attend First Methodist Church of Gatesville. She and Charles have a daughter, Valerie, son Clint and grandchildren.
Charles Talbott said he didn't know until the announcement was made that his wife would be selected Lion of the Year, but that given her level of dedication, he wasn't surprised.
"I wasn't shocked - I had kind of a feeling she might be chosen," he said. "She is hard working, dedicated and absolutely willing to do what she can to help anyone."
