A local church will come together Saturday to honor and remember one of its original members.

Funeral services for Hazel Salter will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Elkdale Baptist Church. Salter died Thursday at the age of 89.

“She was a fine Christian person who put the Lord first, family second and friends and others next,” Kitty Singley, Elkdale Garden Club president, said. “She was always a happy and positive person.”

Known as a pillar of the community, Salter spent years of her life giving to others. Many recognized the hard work and dedication she put into Elkdale Baptist Church, which she was a founding member of in 1952.

She served as a Sunday school teacher, an aide in the nursery, president of the Senior Adults group and assisted with anything else she could in the church.

“She was quite knowledgeable in the history of the church,” Guy Anderson, Elkdale Baptist Church minster of music and senior adults, said. “She held all kinds of leadership positions.”

Corey Horton, Elkdale Baptist Church pastor, said Salter enjoyed her role as a Sunday school teacher because she loved ministering to people. He said she could appreciate a good Bible scripture.

“She liked teaching Wednesday nights,” Horton said. “Her Bible was always in her hands.”

Anderson said Salter was always a big help when it came to completing tasks for the senior adults, such as planning trips for the group.

“She was tireless in her efforts of helping me,” Anderson said. “Anything she chose to do, she always did it with diligence.”

Salter also took on various responsibilities outside of her church. She was the president of Elkdale Garden Club several times.

Singley, a long-time friend of Salter, said everyone could rely on Salter to accomplish anything she set out to do.

“You could depend on her,” she said. “You know it would be done and done well.”

Anderson said the thing he will miss most about Salter is her support.

“You can start to feel uncertain about not doing a good job, but she let you know you were doing good,” he said. “I’ll miss that.”

In addition to her work with her church and garden club, Salter, who received a degree in education from Troy in 1966 and a Masters degree in education from the University of Montevallo in 1972, taught algebra and geometry at Albert G. Parrish High School, Morgan Academy, Meadowview Christian School, Keith High School, Tipton Junior High School and Carlowville High School before retiring in 1988.

Salter also served as the secretary to the Selma Community Concert Series, exhibit coordinator for the Central Alabama Fair, director of Selma City Clean Up for 12 years, Cub Scout Leader, Camp Director of the Selma Baptist Association, a charter member of Elkdale Baptist Church, Training Union director, Choir member and Women on Mission and GA director.