MADISON – Nancy Reyes, who is “Staff Member of the Year,” has a meaningful picture on her office wall at Bob Jones High School.

The picture’s message states, “’Let our lives be full of both Thanks and Giving.’ I truly believe that,” Reyes said. “I am grateful to the Lord for the opportunity that He gives me every day to serve others.”

In August 2001, Reyes started working for Madison City Schools as receptionist at Discovery Middle School. “In 2003, I was fortunate enough to transfer into the position of Secretary for Discovery,” she said.

In 2005, Reyes transferred to Bob Jones as Secretary when Robby Parker was Principal. “High school was quite an adjustment from middle school,” she said.

Reyes now works closely with the administration and processes payroll for school employees. (The term ‘secretary’ doesn’t really include all of Reyes’ responsibilities.) “Payroll has many challenges when working in such a large school, but I welcome the opportunity to work so closely with the teachers and staff every day,” she said.

“I love my job because I get to serve others on a continuous basis. I’m very busy, but I always find time for my co-workers, teachers, parents and students,” Reyes said.

“I feel so blessed to be at Bob Jones,” Reyes said. “We are a family at ‘The Bob’ and support each other in whatever way we can.”

Originally from New York, she and husband Ed Reyes first visited Huntsville in 1982, the day after they married. Ed reported to complete advanced training on Redstone Arsenal.

Afterwards, they reported to many different states and were stationed in Hawaii twice. They returned to Huntsville in 1998. “Once we found our church home, The Rock, a year later, we (made) Huntsville our forever home. Huntsville was our first and our last duty station as my husband retired here in 2001,” she said.

Nancy and Ed Reyes have been married for 41 years. Currently, Ed works for the Army as a Security Specialist at Redstone Arsenal.

The Reyes children are Timothy, Justin and Edwin. Timothy with wife Candance serves as a pastor in Maryland; their children are Emery, Brooklyn, Ezra and Beckham.

Their son Justin recently exited the Army and lives in Harvest with wife Rachel and two children, Otto and Aria. Edwin, their youngest son, and wife Katelyn of Athens are parents of one son, Gio Thomas.

“I would talk for hours about my seven beautiful grandchildren. They are my pride and joy. My grandkids call me ‘Nanni,’ and my favorite phrase is, ‘I love being a Nanni.’”

Nancy loves to travel, but her favorite pastime is spending time with family and friends, along with serving at her church. “I am fortunate enough to have my mother and sister and so many extended family members living near me. I am truly blessed,” she said.