The late Judy Melton Mims was an educator for 32 years and a lifelong Alabama fan, and now her devotion to the profession and to the school will continue even after her passing.

A partial scholarship endowment to the University of Alabama established May 1 was named after Mims because of a significant contribution made by her husband, Troy Mims, to the Chilton County Chapter of the University of Alabama National Alumni Association’s scholarship fund.

“We just wanted to do something to pay back,” Troy Mims said. “We thought it would be a good way to keep Judy’s memory alive. This way, she can still touch people’s lives. I know she would be real proud of this.”

Chapter president Kendall Williams said Troy Mims’ gift was the conclusion of six years of work.

“It was something that I really, really, really wanted to accomplish while I was heading this thing up,” Williams said. “We cannot think of a better way to give back to our community than to provide financial assistance for a young person’s secondary education.

“We are so grateful to the Mims family for their contribution.”

The details of the endowment were worked out at Alumni Hall on the UA campus.

The scholarship will be given annually to a Chilton County student that has applied for enrollment to the university.

A list of such students will be sent to the alumni association chapter, Williams said, and a committee will decide which receives the scholarship.

The first scholarship will be awarded for the fall 2010 semester.

“I cannot wait to give this first scholarship,” Williams said.

The chapter has already begun working toward a second endowment. Anyone interested in making a tax deductible contribution should call Williams at 755-4052.