MADISON – James Smith has the honor of “Staff Member of the Year” at James Clemens High School.

Smith grew up in Harvest. He has lived in Huntsville for the past 12 years.

“I enjoy the people I work with. I’ve been at James Clemens since it opened,” Smith said. He has worked most of the time as custodian.

In his daily work, Smith has met thousands of students and teachers in the school’s hallways and classrooms. From all of those acquaintances, Smith said Mason Overcash, who teaches visual arts and photography courses at James Clemens, is the one person that he will never forget.

“Mr. Overcash painted a portrait of me,” Smith said.

Smith’s wife Theresa is a homemaker. Their daughter Michelle Sanderful is a teacher in Huntsville City Schools. Their son James Cornilius works for Brinkley and Chessnut Law Firm in Huntsville.

In his spare time away from work, James Smith enjoys landscaping and auto mechanics.