By SHERRY DIGMON
News Publisher
The Atmore Area Hall of Fame Committee has made its selection for the 2024 inductees. They are Velma Jackson-Wilkins, Foster Kizer, Lavan Martin, James McNeil, Howard H. Patterson Sr., Dr. Delaine Salter, and Rev. Monroe Tucker.
The committee is changing the induction ceremony this year. Rather than an evening event, it will be held Sunday afternoon, May 19, at 2 p.m., at The Club. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served following the ceremony and everyone is invited to stay for a time of fellowship and visit with the inductees and their families.
Tickets for the induction ceremony are $25, and everyone attending (regardless of age) must have a ticket. Tickets are available at the Atmore News Office, 128 S. Main Street – cash or check only, no credit or debit cards. Seating is limited.
Members of the committee are President Billy Conn Madison, Charlotte Boyle, Sherry Digmon, Larry Forney, Ann Gordon, Anthony Marshall, Dr. Ullysses McBride, Myrna Monroe, and Lori Stinson.
Each week, Atmore News will feature one of the inductees. This week, Dr. Delaine Salter is featured.
Frances Delaine Salter
Frances Delaine Byrd (Salter) was born May 24, 1944, to Gladys A. and Lewis M. Byrd at Stablers Hospital in Greenville, Alabama in Butler County. She is the youngest of four siblings. Her family resided in Monroe County for two years then moved to their farm between Brewton and Flomaton.
She attended Pollard McCall School from first grade to ninth grade and was active in 4H Club. She then attended T.R. Miller High School and was in the last graduating class from the two-storied building.
Her first employment was Hainje’s Furniture Store in Brewton. After that, she went to D.W. McMillan Hospital to work in the front office for eleven years. From there, she went to surgery and after that she enrolled in Jefferson Davis Jr. College. She attended from 1976 to 1978 as a premed and chemistry student. She was also elected to Who’s Who of Junior College.
She then attended the University of South Alabama from 1978 to 1980. She was a premed and chemistry major. She was a member of Honor Society ODK. She was accepted and completed four years of medical school at the University of South Alabama. Her internship and residency was completed at Selma Family Medicine, a division of University of Alabama. She was chief resident from 1986 to 1987.
She completed her Board Certification in Family Medicine and moved to Atmore, where she purchased Dr. James B. Thomas’ medical facilities and thus began her medical career in Atmore in 1987.
She has attended United Methodist Church in Monroe County, the Brewton Pentecostal Holiness Church in Brewton, for 54 years and now attends Atmore First Assembly of God.
She was married to Fred S. Salter for 47 years, and they had one son Fred S Salter Jr. who was CPA.
Currently she lives at her longtime residence on Alexandrea Drive in Atmore with her grandchildren. She still works at the local hospital and medical office, still cooks, does house calls, gardens and swims all summer.
Her great pleasures remain her walk with Christ, her family time, neighbors, medicine and service to country.