Oklahoma Borough tax collector honored for 45 years of service

A somewhat reluctant recipient was honored Monday for her tireless dedication and service to her community.

Joyce Spillers of Oklahoma Borough was recognized at the monthly council meeting with a few surprises to honor her 45 years serving as the borough’s tax collector.

“I didn’t know this was going to happen,” Spillers said while receiving a citation from state Rep. Jill Cooper, R-Murrysville, and a celebratory cake from council. “Is it over yet?”

“She really does not like attention,” said Spillers’ daughter, Karen Jobe, who was responsible for making sure Spillers made an appearance at the meeting. “She knows everybody, helps everybody, and she told me she wasn’t going to come to the meeting tonight.”

Spillers was first sworn into office as tax collector for the borough in 1978.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

State Rep. Jill Cooper, R-Murrysville, presents Joyce Spillers with a citation recognizing her 45 years of service to Oklahoma Borough as tax collector during Monday’s council meeting.

Cooper addressed the audience and recalled meeting Spillers while campaigning for the 55th District in the small borough of about 1,000 residents.

“She was just so kind, and I’m sure that’s what you all know. She was just very welcoming to me,” Cooper said. “She is so well-deserving.”

“I just want to get it over with,” joked Spillers as residents and council gave her a standing ovation and a round of applause.

Spillers, 82, said numbers and math were always her strong suit.

Jobe recalled her mother’s rapid math calculations came in handy on shopping trips to the former Kaufmann’s department store in Pittsburgh.

“We’d be shopping and she would just do that math when they had their 33% off sales. She knew right what the discount would be,” said Jobe of Greensburg.

Her mother’s annual borough audits are borderline legendary because they’re down the penny, Jobe said.

Growing up in Washington Township, Spillers graduated from the former Washington Township High School in 1958.

She worked at PNC Bank before becoming a tax collector.

Spillers previously volunteered as church treasurer, baseball league treasurer and coached her own women’s softball team, playing softball and volleyball well into her 70s.

As tax collector, Spillers goes “above and beyond” said borough officials, making house calls to residents who are homebound and keeping an annual and updated list of all residents for state police and the fire department.

That same list was a huge help when the borough installed a sewer system, said Alecia Sherbondy, borough secretary.

Spillers was instrumental in the organization of the now-defunct Oklahoma Days.

“Joyce is always willing to stop and listen to those that visit the office to share exciting news or ask for prayers,” Sherbondy said.

“She just connects the right people with the right people and just enjoys it all,” Jobe said.

Lisa Cali was one of about a dozen borough residents in attendance to honor Spillers.

“She’s the face of the borough,” Cali said. “Everybody knows her. What a blessing to this community, she’s been. She’s a wonderful resource to this community and greatly admired and respected.”

Spillers has no plans to hang up her tax collector sign.

“People just keep writing her in for tax collector. She goes above and beyond for her community,” Sherbondy said.