• Story by Donna Thornton donna@southerntorch.com

The Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce recognized two local businesses and presented its Legacy Achievement Award at Tuesday night’s annual banquet.

The late Paul Green was honored with the Chamber’s Legacy Achievement Award, presented to members of his family. His grandson, Brandon Green spoke about his grandfather’s legacy of service to his country, serving in the U.S. Navy, and his drive to start his own business when he came home to Fort Payne. He opened Sunset Mobile Homes in 1965 and operated the business for 60 years. At the time of Green’s death, his grandson said, his was the longest operating mobile home business in the state.

In addition, Green was devoted to his community, a member of Mt. Herman Baptist Church, and of the VFW.

All Temp by Kudzu Millwork was recognized as Mid-Size Business of the Year. In addition to its manufacture of windows, the family-owned business give back to the community through twice-a-year food drives, and is involved with assistance to a small village in Guatemala, paying the way for employees who 

Complete Care as named Small Business of the Year, and those attending the banquet heard from a customer/patient about the importance of the home health service the business provides. James David Durham has a chronic lung disease the makes it necessary for him to use oxygen at all times.

He spoke of all those he’s met since his diagnosis, and said he sees doctors and nurses regularly. But the service provided by Complete Care – his oxygen – he depends on every day, or every breath.

Durham said after diagnosis, he’d only been home a few minutes before a van from Complete Care pulled up, bringing him “what I needed to live.”