Citizen of the Year named in Tupelo

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI)- This year’s Outstanding Citizen of the Year for Tupelo is a former educator who continues to make an impact in the community.

Dona Kaye Randle was named “Citizen of the Year” during the annual Charity Ball at the BancorpSouth Arena.

The honoree has volunteered as a reading mentor to students, has worked with the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Program, Sanctuary Hospice House, Tree of Life Clinic, The Lee County Library and the Boys and Girls Club.

Randle said she has always wanted to use her skills and talents to bless others.

“I think when you have a servant’s heart, then your eyes are opened to opportunities and when you ask the Lord to lead you to those places, you have the courage to do it, and you are the one who gets the gift, not the person you serve, but you get the gift.”

Randle is the fourth person in her family to receive the award. She has been married to her husband, Benny, for almost 60 years. She has two daughters and three grandchildren.