FOGCE Federal Credit Union holds 50th
Anniversary Celebration
Shown L to R: James ‘D’ Powell, Mollie Rowe, Cornelius Blanding, Carol P. Zippert, Carrie Fulghum, Mary Dunn, Jacqueline Allen, Rodney Pham and Darlene Robinson.
Gathering at FOGCE 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Dr. Carol Zippert accepts FOGCE celebratory plaque from Cornelius Blanding.
Mrs. Joyce Pham presents symbol of appreciation to Dr. Carol P. Zippert for 50 years of service to FOGCE Federal Credit Union.
The Greene County community, along with other friends and supporters, gathered Thursday, December 11, 2025 to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Federation of Greene County Employees Federal Credit Union (FOGCE). In August 1975, FOGCE was chartered by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) as a community based financial institution. Subsequently, FOGCE became certified in 2021 as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), with over 800 members and assets of $1.8 million. NCUA continues as its federal security and monitoring agency.
FOGCE’s 50th Celebration, held at the New Generation Church Fellowship Hall, featured Mr. Cornelius Blanding, 11 years as CEO of the Federation of Southern Cooperatives /Land Assistance Fund, (FSC/LAF), which was instrumental in organizing FOGCE Federal Credit Union as well as credit unions in Pickens, Sumter, and Hale Counties.
In his keynote address, Mr. Blanding praised the courage, perseverance and dedication of FOGCE membership. “ We are still here after 50 years because you continued to believe in community leadership building community worth, and you would not give up,” he stated.
Mr. Blanding, as FSC/LAF Assistant Director at the time, was also instrumental in securing a $20,000 grant from the Self-Development of People in 2013 for the purchase of FOGCE’s current facility, located at 112 Prairie Ave., Eutaw, AL.
Ms. Darlene Robinson, FOGCE Board Vice-President and Chairperson of the Supervisory Committee, served as Mistress of Order at the celebration. Ms. Mary Dunn, Credit Committee member gave a warm welcome. Mr. James Powell, Credit Committee member led the invocation. Dr. Carol P. Zippert, FOGCE Board President and a founder, shared a memorial tribute of the community’s efforts that organized, built and secured the credit union for 50 years.
She noted that FOGCE began to thrive”… when we realized that our credit union was not a social service organization, but we were a community owned and operated financial institution.”
Zippert gave special recognition to the late Mr. Willie Carpenter, who served as manager of
FOGCE for over 30 years and was known as Mr. Credit Union. She also acknowledged two founders who were not able to attend the celebration, Mr. Spiver Gordon and Mr. Bill Edwards.
Special tribute was lifted for the late Mr. Jonas Smothers who conducted a vigorous membership drive in the early years.
Ms. Mollie Rowe, Board Secretary, lifted a Memorial Tribute for the foot soldiers of our movement who have passed on. Mrs. Joyce Pham, FOGCE Manager, and Mr. Rodney Pham, Credit Committee Chairperson, through Seniors Helping Hand, gifted 5 guests with $100 each toward a utility bill. Mrs. Robinson and Mrs. Pham announced that the first 10 individuals to join the credit union would each receive a sponsored membership.
Ms. Jacqueline Allen, Board Member, recognized all FOGCE Board, Credit Committee and Supervisory Committee Members, elected officials, and special guests including Mrs. Bobbie Carpenter, wife of the late Willie Carpenter, Mrs. Carrie Fulghum, FSC Boardmember for Alabama, Ms. Felecia Lucky, CEO of the Heron Foundation, Rev. Christopher Spencer, CEO Black Belt Community Foundation and Alabama State Representative Mr. Curtis Travis.
Mrs. Lena Watford Hill, Mrs. Mary Dunn and Mrs. Loydleetta Johnson Wabbington, in addition to the founders, were recognized for 50-year memberships in FOGCE.
Music for the occasion was provided by Mr. Antonio Pearson. Mrs. Loretta Wilson’s artistic decorating skills provided an amazing celebratory atmosphere at the event.