leadership
Branch Officers
WILBERT WOODRUFF
President
Wilbert Woodruff has served as the President of the Limestone County NAACP for sixteen years. Before becoming President, he served as vice President for many years. Even before serving in any elected position, he was just as dedicated to the work of the Limestone County NAACP as a volunteer in many capacities. Wherever he is needed, that is where he always is. Because of his love for the Athens Limestone County Community, he has a passion for the work of civil rights for everyone and feels certain that he has been called to do this work.
In addition to serving in the Limestone County Branch he also serves as 2nd Vice President of the Alabama State Conference NAACP. His dedication to civil rights is just as fierce throughout Alabama.
Wilbert retired from 3M Company in 2015 after 39 years of employment. He and his wife Janice have 2 adult sons and nine grandchildren. Wilbert enjoys family gatherings and singing in the family choir as well. Wilbert has served as Deacon for twenty-nine years and has been a member of David’s Temple M.B. Church for fifty years. Wilbert thrives to serve.
STANLEY MCCRARY
Vice President
Mr. Stanley Deon McCrary is a native of Ethelsville, Pickens County, Alabama. He is the son of the late Bernice McCrary and Norris Cockrell, the sixth of nine sons born to Bernice. McCrary earned his Masters of Business Administration (MBA) Degree from the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (AAMU) with a concentration in Management, and a Bachelor of Science (BS) Degree with a concentration in management from Columbia College, Columbia, MO while attending from the Redstone Arsenal Campus. He holds two Associate of Science Degrees (AS) from Hawaii Pacific University, Honolulu, Hawaii. McCrary graduated from the Saint Anne Community High School, Saint Anne, IL.
A Veteran of The United States Army, McCrary served his country for more than twenty-two years and received numerous service medals and awards to include the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield. A lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), McCrary currently serves as the second-vice president for the Limestone County Branch 5039, Athens, AL. Additionally, he is the treasurer for the Alabama State Conference (ASC) of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). A servant leader, McCrary is a member of the 100 Black Men of America Organization. There he actively serves as chaplain of the Huntsville Chapter and mentor to youth in the Greater Huntsville area. The mission is to improve the quality of life within the communities and enhance educational and economic opportunities for all African Americans.
McCrary has a 20+ year career as a civil servant for the United States Department of Defense. Most notably, he earned a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification while conducting a study and analysis for the improvement of the United States Army’s Basis of Issue Plan Feeder Data (BOIPFD) program. He holds level three certifications in Lifecycle Logistics and Program Management.
Stanley is currently employed as a Logistics Management Specialist for the United States Army’s Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) supporting the Program Executive Office-Aviation, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Endurance Unmanned Aircraft System Program as the Training Team Lead for the Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System, responsible for training and training development.
He accepted his calling into the ministry and preached his initial sermon, “Which way are you running” in October 2016. He is an Associate Minister with Indian Creek P.B. Church.
Stanley is married to the former Cynthia D. Kelley. Their children and grandchildren are the joy of their lives.
Diane Steele
2nd Vice President
Diane was born in rural Limestone County, Alabama, the youngest of 12 siblings. She earned a BA in Sociology with a minor in Political Science from Athens State University. At an early age, she was aware of some of her older siblings marching with Dr. King for social justice. Diane knew she had to make her mark toward social justice.
At age 13, she joined the Limestone County NAACP, where she has done much of her community work. Diane is a life member of the NAACP. Diane was instrumental in developing the current Limestone County NAACP scholarship program, Limestone County NAACP STEPS Reading Program, and the past tutoring program in local schools as former Education Committee Chair.
Diane has led many community projects and programs, held numerous positions, received numerous awards, and continues to work on behalf of the community. Diane’s scope of work includes bridging the reading gap on behalf of Black and Brown students, political voter participation awareness, standing up against racism, bringing solutions to discrimination, and encouraging the marginalized to believe in their power.
Diane has a strong commitment to family and loves caring for and spending time with family. Diane believes love is truly an action word, and she values family deeply.
L. Ann Jones
Secretary
Leonard Ann Stover-Jones is a dedicated civil rights advocate and community servant with over two decades of experience in grassroots organizing, administrative leadership, and social support services. As Secretary of the NAACP Limestone County Branch and Chair of the Women in NAACP (WIN) Committee, and plays a pivotal role in advancing equity initiatives, coordinating events, and supporting women and children in need.
Since joining the NAACP in 2004, Ms. Stover-Jones has held several key volunteer positions, including serving as Secretary for the Alabama State Conference from 2009 to 2023. Her commitment to community welfare extends beyond civil rights advocacy, she has been a Food Distribution Coordinator for the Morgan County Hartselle, Alabama Task Force since 2019, ensuring monthly support for families facing food insecurity. Her earlier volunteer work with the Harvest Volunteer Fire Department (1991–2003) involved active participation in firefighter activities and fundraising efforts.
Professionally, Ms. Stover-Jones brings a wealth of experience in healthcare and wellness. She has provided private duty nursing and home healthcare services for elderly and disabled individuals through Kelly’s Home Care in Huntsville, Alabama.
Additionally, she served as an overnight caretaker for Dungan Yates Allison Cosmetic Surgery from 1997 to 1998. She is a Product Advisor at Herb Alchemy, a role she has held since 2022. Ms. Stover-Jones holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Studies from Athens State College (1996) and an Associate in General Studies from Calhoun Community College (1990). She graduated from West Morgan High School in 1971. Her mission is to serve her community and the surrounding areas by supporting, coordinating, and implementing services to individuals. This mission is reflected in her efforts to organize drives for homeless individuals, abused women, and children, collecting and distributing essential items such as toiletries and clothing.
In recognition of her unwavering commitment, Ms. Stover-Jones has received several accolades, including the NAACP Alabama State President’s Award (2021), the NAACP President’s Award from the Limestone County Branch (2024), and the Alabama State NAACP Service Award (2019).
Ms. Stover-Jones was married to Robert Jones, a retired military Vietnam Veteran and Federal Civilian Employee for 30 years. She has been a widow for 19 years. She is a proud mother of four adult children (three daughters and one son), grandmother to two granddaughters, and great-grandmother to two great-grandchildren.
Outside of her professional and volunteer endeavors, she is an active member of Moulton Heights Missionary Baptist Church in Moulton Heights, Alabama. Her interests include sewing, crocheting, reading, and event decoration, particularly creating centerpieces and gift bags.
Mildred Horton
Assistant Secretary
Mildred is a lifelong native of Limestone County, Alabama. She grew up in a loving, large family and caring community. She learned early in life to help people in any way possible and treat people the way she wanted to be treated. She was encouraged to join the Limestone County NAACP by her older brother, President Wilbert Woodruff, and continues to be mentored by him in the diversity of her work. Mildred has served in various elected and volunteer positions with a spirit of devotion and caring. She currently serves as Assistant Secretary.
Mildred has led Economic empowerment programming as the current Economic Development Chair. She has helped with political action activities, youth council events, as well as education committee work. In addition, she currently serves as the Freedom Fund Committee Chair, where she oversees all fundraising in the branch, including overseeing the Annual Freedom Fund Banquet. Mildred is always open to learning by receiving necessary training to get her work done. She has been instrumental in helping the branch become compliant with the National NAACP criteria for the past couple of years.
When Mildred is not busy with the work of the branch, she loves spending time with family and her church ministry. She enjoys singing praises in the family choir, and Mildred and her husband, Louis, are ordained Pastors at Kingdom Builders Outreach Ministry International Church. They have two cherished daughters, April and Brionna, and will always be grateful for the time God allowed them to have with their son before his passing.
Mildred believes she must be true to God wherever He places her because she reflects God and His faithfulness.
TISDA CAMPBELL
Treasurer
Tisda Campbell was born in Florence, AL. She is employed with the Alabama Department of Transportation, where she has worked for over 22 years. Her position is an Engineering Assistant III with the DOT. Tisda has been a member of the Limestone County NAACP for over 22 years. She has consistently served in many capacities of the Limestone County NAACP. She has served on the Executive Committee almost since becoming a member. She has invested her time in the youth of Limestone County as she served as Youth Council Advisor for 8 years. She has served as Membership Chair for many years and is diligent in recruiting and retaining memberships. She has served as Assistant Treasurer for years, and is committed to the integrity and accountability of the Limestone County NAACP Treasurer.
Tisda understands her commitment to community service because she values the success of all of us as we support each other.
When Tisda is not working or volunteering her time with the Limestone County NAACP, she spends her time with her lovely four daughters and her awesome ten grandchildren.
Executive Committee Members At-Large
Effie Clifton
Veronica Jones
Georgia Nichols
Benard Simelton
Elaine Simelton
Tonya Brown
Janet W. Shoulders
David Steele
Ollie Turner
Executive Standing Committee Chairs
ACT-SO
Glenda Malone
Criminal Justice
Kelvin Maclin
Economic Development
Mildred L. Horton
Education
Dawn Martin
Freedom Fund
Mildred L. Horton
Health
Adolf Jones
Legal Redress
Alfred Rainey
Membership
Tisda Campbell
Political Action
Diane Steele
Press and Publicity
Horton Matthews
Religious Affairs
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Veterans Affairs
Adolf Jones
Women In NAACP (WIN)
L. Ann Jones
Youth Works
Angela Baines
Leon Brown