Community-focused Beatty to be honored at MLK Jr. Classic

Published 12:02 am Friday, January 13, 2017

Margaret Beatty will receive the Martin Luther King Jr. Lifetime Achievenment Honor Saturday at Letcher Norton Gymnasium.

The honor is traditionally awarded during the George Rogers Clark High School’s MLK Jr. Classic event.

The Cardinals honored the Reverend John Williams Jones last year, Walter Newell Jr. in 2015 and William “Bill” Frazier in 2014.

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“I never expected that,” Beatty said. “I do a lot of work in the community, but I never expected to get something like this.”

Beatty has been a tireless volunteer worker in a number of projects with a number of organizations, including 10 years umpiring Senior League and Little League baseball and softball games, two years coaching at the YMCA, volunteering with the Ark of Mercy, Operation Happiness, Operation Christmas Child and the Salvation Army.

She has also served on the board at Winchester Civitan and the Labor Day Committee. Last year, she became the first woman president of the Winchester Civitan. She is also the first black president of the organization.

“I always like to help people,” she said. “I try to do my best and not half step. Just get out there and do what you have to do to help the community.”

In 2008, she received the Kroger Community Service Award.

Civitan’s Roy Turley said Beatty is very cooperative and sincere, particularly when it comes to the community and youth of Clark County.

“She is a very community-minded individual,” he said. “Every since I’ve been in charge of the Civitan basketball league, she’s been a member of the club. She’s been there every day, every hour of practices, drafts, games or whatever is going on with the basketball and football leagues.”

Beatty will be honored during the three-game event Saturday, with both GRC varsity basketball teams in action.

“She is a great selection and well deserving of the award,” GRC boys coach Josh Cook said.

The event begins with Russell (9-9) boys taking on Powell County (11-5) at 3 p.m. The GRC (13-2) girls will face Henry Clay (4-11) at 5 p.m. In the finale, the GRC (10-7) boys will take on Greenup County (11-4) at 7 p.m.