County of library: Etowah County
Location of library: Alford Bend Rd & 6th S., Hoke Bluff
Phone: (256) 492-2414
The Person:
Floyd, Rufus E.
"As many as four generations who visited the Hokes Bluff Variety Store will miss the warm greeting of Mr. R.E. Floyd. Mr. Floyd, 95, left us Sunday morning, Jan. 26, 2003, after a long and happy life.
"Originally from Albertville, Mr. Floyd lived all of his adult life in Hokes Bluff, where he served as mayor for 12 years and contributed many more years to the betterment of his community. He was recognized for his many accomplishments in 1993 with the dedication in his honor of the Rufus Floyd Library.
"Mr. Floyd retired from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. in 1969 after 40 years service, and he continued to operate his variety/hardware store with the able help of his wife, Louise, for 50 years until recently. Thousands walked through those doors. Many left with a hoe or wheelbarrow and every child with a sucker or bubble gum. All left with a smile and a friend.
"We'll miss his leadership, his commitment to home and family, his sterling character and his bigger-than-life image. This world was just a better place with him in it.
"Mr. Floyd was preceded in death by his first wife, Grace; his parents and brothers and sisters, Lillian Floyd, Bertha Smith, Elma Johnson, Grover Floyd and Virgil Powell." ~ The Gadsden Times
The Place:
"In late 1989 a group of ladies interested in forming a public library for the City of Hokes Bluff obtained a meeting with Mayor Gene Mayhall. The result of this meeting was the go ahead of plans for the Rufus Floyd Library. Vail Ford, Shirley Reeves, and Janice Jarrells were advised by Rebecca Mitchell, the head librarian for the City of Gadsden of the steps needed to form a public library.
"The library opened in May 1990 in a small room located within the Hokes Bluff Lions Community Center. Cecil Lett and Donald Jarrells built the shelves for the room. A book drive was held to begin the library’s collection. The first Library Board named by the City of Hokes Bluff was, Vail Ford, Louellyn Hood, Janice Jarrells, Cecil Lett and Murry Millander. Vail Ford had a degree in Library Science and was already responsible for the school libraries, so it was only fitting that she organized the library for the public. Vail then became the unofficial Librarian.
"The library continued to operate in the Community Center until 2000. In the interim Etowah County had passed a one cent sales tax to fund the libraries within the county. The Etowah County Library Committee was formed to disperse the funds granted to them by this tax. With help of that Committee and the City of Hokes Bluff, the current building was constructed across from Hokes Bluff City Hall. Vail retired soon after and Janice Jarrells became Librarian.
"Since 2000 the library has been able to offer a variety of services for the citizens of Hokes Bluff through money obtained by grants. The library currently offers public use computers, audio books, large print books, children’s books, and teen books. The library has recently added eBooks to the services offered as well as access to Ancestry.com. In 2011 Janice Jarrells retired. Cassie Patterson is the current Library Director." ~ City of Hokes Bluff