TALLADEGA, Ala. – Three individuals will be honored at this year’s American Values Social in Talladega.
The Cheaha District of the Greater Alabama Council of the Boy Scouts of America will honor Robert H. “Shotgun” Giddens, Chip Moore and Dr. Horace L. Patterson, Sr. with the Heart of an Eagle Award. The award is given to individuals who have demonstrated leadership, character and integrity in their service to the community, profession and country.
The award is unique to the Greater Alabama Council, Boy Scouts of America, which is composed of the 22 northern counties of Alabama. The Cheaha District is made up of Clay, Randolph and Talladega Counties.
Giddens was born in the Oldfield Community near Sylacauga. When he was 4 years old, Giddens’ family moved to Millerville, Ala. in Clay County. Growing up in Millerville, Giddens was a Boy Scout.
In 1996, he married his wife, Linda Upchurch. They parented three children, Jamie, Leigh Ann and Candida. A barber by profession, Giddens decided to enter politics in 1976 when he was successfully elected Circuit Clerk of Clay County. During his tenure, he was elected as President of the Alabama Circuit Clerks Association, and he served in the office of Elected Directors for the National Association of Court Administrators. Before retiring, Giddens served 18 years as Circuit Clerk of Clay County.
Moore, a resident of Talladega, is a graduate of Talladega High School, and he studied Management Information Systems at Auburn University and the University of Alabama – Birmingham. Before returning to Talladega in 2008, he travelled the country working with community banks.
He started a family and returned to Talladega to work with First Bank of Alabama. Moore works with local organizations including the Talladega County Child Advocacy Center and Callie’s Kids Art Camps. Moore is also a past President of the Greater Talladega Area Chamber of Commerce.
Patterson is active in his adopted hometown of Talladega. Patterson is an author of eight books, including his memoir “Unbroken and Unbound.” An activist, Patterson became involved with community affairs when he was 18 years old as he participated in the Bloody Sunday March in Selma.
Patterson received the Bachelor of Theology degree in Systemic Theology from Selma University in 1972, Bachelor of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology from Talladega College in 1977, The Master of Science in Counseling from Jacksonville State University in 1983 and the Doctor of Divinity from Selma University in 1989. In May 2019, he received Talladega College Honorary Degree Doctor of Humane Letters.
He is past President Pro Tempore for the State of Alabama Department of Senior Services, Director, Senior Services, Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, President, Talladega City Council (five-term elected official), Past President Alabama Gerontological Society (2005-2007). President (Founder) Rushing Spring School of Theology-The Horace L. Patterson Lecture series (Spring and Fall Semesters), National Lecturer for civic organizations, political and religious purposes, churches and conventions and Pastor, Mount Canaan Baptist Church, Talladega, Alabama since 1974.
Giddens, Moore and Patterson will be recognized at the social, which will be held from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 14 at the Talladega Bottling Works.
For more information about attending the event, please contact Cheaha District Executive Scotty L. Parker at 256-252-5556 or [email protected].
