Dalton Battles, my great grandmother, was born in the Appalachian foothills of Alabama in the early 20th century. Raised by her older sister after their mother died in childbirth, she left school after 9th grade and married.

After her own three children were grown, she established Boaz Jewelry in 1955 and operated the store for almost 30 years. Then at 85 years old, with eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren, Dalton enrolled in courses at a local community college and received her GED in 1994- the oldest ever GED recipient in Alabama at that time.

Her only daughter and my grandmother, Marie, owned and operated a jewelry store in Columbiana, Alabama, for several decades as well. As a child I spent many summers and weekends with both my Great Grandmother, Dalton, and my Grandmother, Marie, in their store and homes in Boaz, Columbiana, and Wilsonville. It was in this environment where I learned the infinite strength of unconditional loving kindness.

Therefore, with enormous gratitude I dedicate this organization and all it embodies to my Great Grandmother Dalton McMahon Knight Battles and the healing spirit she bestowed upon me.

Dr. Elaine Marie Colby