Alma Fleetwood Spirit Award
The Alma Fleetwood Spirit Award is presented each year to a member of the community who embodies the spirit of Alma Fleetwood – someone who always has a smile, who is willing to stop and listen, who will share a story and who serves a community he or she loves.
The Decatur Business Association (DBA) and City of Decatur established the Alma Fleetwood award in 2011 to honor the memory of Alma Fleetwood, a beloved member of the community.
About Alma Fleetwood
A long-time resident of Decatur, Alma Fleetwood raised her family here and found time to be a community leader as a volunteer at College Heights Elementary School, as a block captain, and as president of the College Heights Neighborhood Association. She served on the board of the South Decatur Community Development Corporation and regularly assisted with community special events, including the Decatur Arts Festival, the Beach Party, the Oakhurst Arts and Music Festival and many others. Ever enthusiastic in her support of the community, she was often called upon to take leadership roles.
She was employed by the City of Decatur beginning in 1997 – first as a school crossing guard, later as a parking attendant and finally as the PALS supervisor before her untimely passing in 2011.
Alma served as an excellent role model to her staff, quick to identify problems and issues and to offer constructive suggestions and solutions. In a difficult job, she maintained her composure and used her communication skills to resolve problems. Always eager to learn, she enrolled in the University of Georgia Management Development Program.
A natural unifier, Alma always had a smile, a kind word, a gentle quip, and a hug for everyone. Her deep and abiding commitment to the community elevated every interaction, and every project and task she took on.
Above all, Alma was a dedicated mother and grandmother. Her family came first and she generously gave her support where needed, whether attending Decatur High football games or driving across the state for a cheerleading competition.
Marc Brennan Receives Alma Fleetwood Spirit Award for 2016
"Marc has served on the DBA board as treasurer and president. He was intentional about reaching out to the restaurants (and shops) to include them in DBA membership. The DBA generally meets at the worst possible time for restaurants and shops to attend meetings. But Marc personally visited the restaurants and talked with them about DBA and they responded by joining and also by sponsoring all of our different meetings. He started the DBA Golf Open (with Scott Drake) and always looks for ways to encourage people to get involved. Not many folks can successfully raise money with a golf tournament where no one actually plays any golf – as happened a few years ago. He organized and supported all of the Oakhurst wine crawl events, helps with Decatur Education Foundation, MLK Jr. Service Project, the Soapbox Derby and more. Like Alma, he is ready, willing and able to help. You can always count on him to volunteer when someone is in need and his restaurants participate in every fundraiser in Decatur.
He always has a great story that makes you laugh. He doesn’t meet a stranger. He has also seen many changes in Decatur and has been a part of the revitalization of the thriving Oakhurst business district.
It is my honor and privilege to present this award on behalf of the Decatur Business Association and would like to recognize Marc Brennan as the recipient of the Alma Fleetwood award."
– Mayor Patti Garrett
Remarks from award presentation
Sherry Jackman
Decatur Visitors Center
2015
Mary Flad
Decatur Volunteer
2014
Arthur Ratliff
Decatur Volunteer
2013
Linda Harris
City of Decatur
2012
Tammy Washington
City of Decatur
2011
