Two board members from the $77 million, 10,500-member Gulf Coast Community Federal Credit Union have been inducted into the Mississippi Credit Union Hall of Fame, the Gulfport, Miss., credit union announced.

The inductions of Elmer Dickens and Helen Walker at the May 16 annual meeting of the Mississippi Credit Union Association in Biloxi were the first in the credit union's 78-year history.

Dickens is board chairman at Gulf Coast Community and in his 42 years of service, he has also served on the credit, nominating and supervisory committees.

“Elmer's passion and advocacy for the credit union movement and Gulf Coast Community Federal Credit Union is clearly seen through his many years of service.  It was during his tenure on the board that Gulf Coast Community Federal Credit Union became the first in the nation to receive dual-county community charter status,” the credit union said in its announcement.

“Helen also collaborated on the decision to move the credit union's main office to Orange Grove to follow the population growth pattern of Gulfport, a decision that has resulted in tremendous growth,” the announcement said. 

Both Walker and Dickens are retirees from the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System and lifelong Gulfport residents, the credit union said.

“The Hall of Fame is our way of highlighting the achievements and showing thanks to those who worked throughout their life to strengthen the credit union movement in Mississippi,” said Charles Elliott, MSCUA president/CEO.