A crowd of 300 people enjoyed an evening of special recognitions and door prizes at the Quitman Chamber of Commerce annual banquet last Thursday evening at Carroll Green Civic Center.

The highlight of the evening was the naming of Woman of the Year and Man of the Year.

Woman of the Year honors went to Dr. Joanne Wisdom, who along with her husband Dr. John Wisdom, established Quitman Chiropractic. Wisdom also established Quitman Therapy with Dr. Scott Olson.

Wisdom has been an active member of Quitman-Lake Fork Kiwanis where she has held local, state and regional offices. She is also one of the founding members of the Quitman Lake Country Foundation and serves on the health committee of the Wood County Economic Development Commission. 

“I am mainly very grateful for this community and humbled by this award,” Wisdom said. The Wisdoms have been serving the Quitman community for over two decades.

Quitman Athletic Director Shane Webber received the Man of the Year award. Webber returned to Quitman after coaching and teaching stints at Alba-Golden, Quitman and Rains. 

Webber has overseen the resurgence in the overall Quitman athletic program. He took over a football program that had won only one game in seven years and immediately won four games in his first season and four more this fall. Prior to going to Rains, Webber had led Quitman girls basketball and softball teams to the state playoffs after over a decade not being in the post season in either sport.

Webber has seen participation in all sports activities increase in large numbers at the high school and junior high levels. He was also Teacher of the Year in Rains ISD four years ago. 

“First of all, I feel there are probably others who deserve this honor more than me. This is a great honor. When I think of those in the past who have gotten this award, it humbles me to be among them,” Webber said. “It is a great honor also to be back in my hometown and given the opportunity to coach the great kids we have in Quitman.

In other awards for the evening Bailey Brown was named “Young Professional of the Year” and Mitch Rieger of the Quitman Fire Department took home “First Responder of the Year.”

Quitman First Baptist Church Pastor Joel McMullan received the “Clergy of the Year” honors while Quitman Elementary School third grade teacher Deeonn Wallace was awarded “Educator of the Year.”

This year’s “Community Spirit Award” went to Jamie Sheffield and Sheree’ Phillips of the Quitman Bulldog Backers for their work in taking photos of Quitman ISD students in their activities. Susie Terrell was the recipient of the “Medical Person of the Year.”

The “Small Business of the Year” award went to Forever Young Activity Center which was represented by Mary and Bobby Phipps who helped established the organization. The “Large Business of the Year” went to City National Bank of Quitman.

Pam Bowdoin received a special honor as “Chamber Director of the Year” selected by her peers on the board.