Marilyn Wheat Handley Culpepper, MSAC, is a therapist practicing in Florida. She is on staff with JourneyPure Emerald Coast, Panama City Beach. A freelance writer, award-winning journalist, former public historian and elected official, she was honored in the U.S. Congressional Record in 2000, was twice honored with the Douglas L. Cannon Excellence in Medical Journalism award, and has served on numerous public and private boards.
Background
Culpepper, Marilyn Wheat Handley was born on January 29, 1959 in Grove Hill, Alabama, United States. Daughter of Gary Cunningham Wheat, Sr., and Florence Lorraine (Urquhart) Wheat. She has five older siblings: Gary C. Wheat Jr., Hugh J. Wheat, P. H. Wheat, W.K. Wheat, and Joanne Wheat Hesse. Ms. Wheat is twice married and divorced, has lived in Grove Hill, Birmingham, York, Monroeville, Greenville, Mobile, and Gulf Shores, Alabama, and currently resides in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.
Education
Bachelor, Livingston University, 1980.
Career
Assistant news director WHOD-Radio, Jackson, Alabama, 1980-1981. Sports editor SHelby County Reporter, Columbiana, 1981-1982. Public relations director Livingston (Alabama)-Tombigbee Medical Center, 1984-1985, Rush-Hill Hospital, York, Alabama, 1986.
Editor Sumter County Journal, 1986-1991. Assistant editor Monroe Journal, Monroeville, Alabama, 1991, editor, since 1992, part owner, 1996-1997. Executive director Monroeville/Monroe County (Alabama) Industrial Development Office, since 1997.
Membership
Board directors Alabama Press Association Journalism Foundation, Birmingham, since 1994, Sumter County Board Education, Livingston, 1986-1991, Leadership Now!, Monroeville, since 1992. Executive director Greenville (Alabama) Chamber of Commerce, 1992. Founding member The Alabama Solution, Birmingham, 1995.
Member Monroeville Business and Professional Women (vice president 1995, president 1996), Monroeville Area Chamber of Chamber (board directors since 1996), Monroeville Kiwanis (president 1998), Beta Sigma Phi (president 1996-1997).
Connections
Married Michael Alan Handley, February 7, 1981 (divorced July 1993). Children: Michael Adam (deceased), Jared Thomas, Miranda Lorraine.