By Alison McFerrin

The Selma Times-Journal

One woman’s good deeds were rewarded at the Book of Golden Deeds Luncheon by the Selma Exchange Club Wednesday.

“It’s a person who does a lot of volunteer work in the community, but who is not paid to do the work they do … and they do it, not in a way to try to get praise and attention for themselves,” club member Sylvia Smith said.

This year’s recipient was Sheryl Zeller Smedley, executive director of the chamber of commerce.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” Smedley said. “(I) never expected it.”

Smedley was recognized during a luncheon at the Ramada Inn Wednesday, to which former award recipients and other community members were invited.

A four-member committee of Selma Exchange Club members chose Smedley for the award.

“She goes out of her way to make people feel accepted in this community,” said Book of Golden Deeds committee member KellySue Giampietro. “She goes beyond the call of duty.”

Smedly’s picture and biographical information have been added to the Book of Golden Deeds, which is an actual book that is kept at the Selma-Dallas County Public Library. The book now features 43 citizens with track records of service, stretching back to 1968.

But Smedley doesn’t see receiving this award as a cue to stop all her hard work.

“It means that I’ve really got to work even harder now,” Smedley said. “We have lots of opportunities here, and there’s still a lot of shells to be opened up for people to come out and us work together and continue to make Selma and Dallas County a quality place to live and work and play.”