WESSON — Harry Joe Martin viewed an invitation to theBrookhaven Exchange Club’s Golden Deeds Banquet Friday as arecruitment tool to get him to join the club.

By the end of the night, however, Martin and his wife Sandrawere the guests of honor during the club’s 58th annual banquet atthe Thames Center on the Copiah-Lincoln Community Collegecampus.

“I’m really shocked and I appreciate it,” Martin said as he andSandra accepted the Golden Deeds Award from club member JimmieGillis.

Sandra Martin expressed similar sentiments later as they werecongratulated by club members and friends.

“There’s a lot of deserving people out there and it’s certainlyan honor,” Martin said.

The Martins and other banquet guests were kept in suspense untilthe end of the evening when this year’s Golden Deeds recipientswere announced.

The identify of the couple was gradually revealed as Gillis readabout the Martins’ charitable acts. He said the Martins were a goodexample of what golden deeds are about.

“Probably the greatest way to describe this couple is they lovethe Lord. Nothing greater can be said about them,” Gillis said.

Gillis cited Harry Joe Martin’s carrying people to Jackson forhospital treatments, cutting and delivering firewood for those inneed and helping with repairs around the church and elsewhere. Healso mentioned his caring for a fellow church member who was verysick with cancer.

“There have been many times he has done things for otherswithout any recognition from anyone and without any pay for what hehas done,” Gillis said of Martin. “He does not look for recognitionor pay for what he does. He does it because there is a need.”

Gillis said Sandra Martin is a special person who helps herhusband.

“She is always there to help in whatever he does,” Gillissaid.

Gillis said integrity, commitment and dependability areattributes of what the Martins stand for. Both are active atCalvary Baptist Church, where he is music director and a deacon andshe is Sunday School teacher and WMU director.

The Martins have two sons, Jody and Brad. Gillis said thechildren maintain an active association with Calvary.

“I think this is a reflection of the influence of a lovingChristian family that this man and his wife have provided for theirfamily,” Gillis said.

In the club’s other honor presented Friday, Alvin Brown receivedthe John L. Leary Award.

The award recognizes a club member who has made outstandingcontributions to the ideals of exchange. Brown is a formerBrookhaven club president and currently serves on the statedistrict board of directors.