Editor, Gazette-Journal:

This past week, Mathews County lost one of its finest citizens, Barbara Walters Williams of Cobbs Creek and Irvington. Barbara faithfully served the county well during her career in social services. She saw all the good in everyone she met and flashed that beautiful smile to put them at ease, whether it was a child or an adult.

I had the great pleasure of getting to know Barbara when my kids were in 4-H, and we shared a common interest in the children and music. Through VPI Extension, we developed a Share-The-Fun program to encourage talented young 4Hers to perform in public.

Barbara was always willing and patient during practices as well as at show time. She played by ear and watched each performer to keep in time with their pace. Many times she took a child home from practice. We had shows all over the state, from Mathews civic clubs to Richmond State Fairs, State Congress at Virginia Tech and even a performance for one of our governors. Today, all the kid...