A Covington County native who has made his mark in education, community and civic affairs in Greenville and Butler County was awarded the Greenville Rotary Club’s highest honor on Thursday night.

Jeddo Bell, city councilman for District V and mayor pro-tem, is the recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award for his “tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among people of the world.” The award is given each year to a non-Rotarian who has made outstanding contributions to the community.

Bell admitted he was overwhelmed by the recognition.

“I was so blown out of the water by this award . . . they really put one over on me,” he said with a smile.

“It showed me you never know when people are observing you. What I do for the community is not just because I am a councilman, but a citizen. And I want to make life better for the people.”

Bell, a native of Andalusia, graduated from Covington County Training School in 1959, and from Alabama State University in 1963, where he obtained a degree in English and French. He later obtained his masters degree in English from ASU and also studied French on two occasions at the University of Nevada – Reno. He took additional adult education courses at ASU and attended several academic workshops at Troy University.

The retired educator, who taught in the Butler County public school system and at LBW Community College, also serves on a number of boards, including the Greenville-Butler County Public Library, Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce, LBWCC Foundation, the BCCED and the BCEID. He uses his musical gifts as the organist for the House of God Church.

He unabashedly loves his adopted hometown.

“Greenville is a beautiful city and a clean one – but my hope is for it to become even cleaner than it is now,” Bell said.

“It’s a great place to live – because the people are just as beautiful as the town itself. I’m very fond of the people of Butler County and of Greenville, especially. And I am truly grateful to Rotary for sharing this award with me, it is truly an honor.”

On Saturday he will be making a special call to his son, Trey, who lives in Washington, D.C.

“I am calling to wish him a happy birthday and to tell him my good news.” Bell beamed.