Saturday morning, May 23, 2009, Effingham County lost a good and faithful servant — Naomi Shearouse Alderman. She died peacefully in her sleep a month shy of her 94th birthday and had been blessed to live on her own doing what she was able and chose to do with her mental capacity intact right to the very end.  

I knew Mrs. Naomi as a member of my church and as my teacher in the sixth and ninth grades. She was a teacher who could be stern and expected much of her pupils. This discipline she instilled had a profound effect upon my life and many others whom she taught. She believed in complimenting others for a job well done, and often sent notes to young people and others to encourage them.  

Mrs. Naomi also taught me a valuable lesson in writing while working on Holy Trinity’s church history together — never to assume anything unless it is a proven fact. As a self-taught organist, she served Holy Trinity Lutheran Church well for many years never accepting any pay for her service.

Mrs. Naomi married Alonzo “Lonnie” Alderman in June 1941. He served our country during World War II. Following her retirement from 39 years of teaching and after Mr. Lonnie had retired, they served others in the community in volunteer work on a full-time basis.  The couple was honored for their extensive volunteer efforts with the prestigious John Adam Treutlen Award for their public service in 2001. Mr. Lonnie passed away in 2003, the couple having shared over 61 years of marriage.  

Among her many accomplishments, Mrs. Naomi will be remembered for 7,000 volunteer hours in service to the Effingham Hospital Auxiliary. She served in the American Legion Auxiliary and when the Legion co-sponsored the fair in years gone by, she was a fair committee member for over 40 years.  Serving five terms in the Silver Legislature, she represented the area well from 1982-92.  Perhaps one of the longest serving drivers for Meals on Wheels, she drove routes for 28 years.  

The Senior Citizens Center, initially named for Mr. Lonnie, who was instrumental in its establishment, held a special place in her heart. She drove there daily for a meal and activities, having played the piano there only days before her death.  
Daughter of a real daughter, she was a proud charter member of the Effingham Hussars Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy where she served in many leadership roles. She was a member of the Georgia Salzburger Society and Historic Effingham Society, always proud of efforts made in preserving her heritage.  

Her obituary found in the May 26 edition of this publication tells the rest of the story of Mrs. Alderman’s many activities. Among these some of her roles are mentioned. She was a daughter, sister, mother, favorite aunt to her nieces and nephews, teacher, church member, volunteer, neighbor, friend and role model who gave her life to serving God, her family, country, community and mankind. She will be missed. We offer sympathy to her son, Springfield Mayor Barton “Barty” Alderman and wife Joyce, daughter Penelope “Penny” Scarpucci and husband John and her nieces and nephews.  

I am sure the words from the Bible are fitting, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” as we bid Mrs. Alderman farewell.

This article was written by Susan Exley of Historic Effingham Society. If you have comments, photos or information to share contact her at 754-6681 or email: susanexley@historiceffinghamsociety.org.