By Tyler Pruett

tyler@southerntorch.com

RAINSVILLE, AL — For mail carrier Tanya Lyons, January 6 was just like any other day on the job delivering mail, that is until she noticed a fire in the yard of a residence along her route. The home on County Road 866 belonged to Rainsville resident Weston Culpepper, who was sound asleep due to working third shift. An electric heat lamp used to keep Culpepper’s pitbull warm had ignited, engulfing the plastic dog house in flames. The dog house was located in close proximity to the residence, putting Culpepper and the whole house in danger as well as the dog. Lyons, thinking quickly, kicked the burning dog house away from Culpepper’s residence and alerted him to the fire in his yard, which wasn’t easy. “It took a few minutes of banging and yelling to wake him up. He works nights so he was in a deep sleep,” Lyons said.

January 12 also seemed to be a normal day on the job for Lyons. The only abnormality was that she had been summoned to the Rainsville post office by Postmaster Pamela Kirtland along with other employees. This also seemed fairly routine until she arrived and was greeted by Rainsville Mayor Nick Jones, Henegar Postmaster Mary Jo Crabtree, and members of the local media. Her husband and a strawberry cake were also in attendance much to her surprise. Postmaster Kirtland had called everyone together to honor Lyon’s selfless act that saved a dog and possibly its owner. Mayor Jones also honored her with a proclamation from the city declaring January 6 to be “Tanya Lyons” Day in Rainsville.

“Tanya Lyons, through her efforts, saved someone’s life, their home, and their pet from destruction by fire,” the proclamation read. Lyon’s was completely surprised and touched by the community’s recognition. “I had no idea they were doing this,” she said tearfully. For Lyons, not only does she deliver the mail “rain or shine,” but also shows this same dedication in coming to the aid of others.