On the recordJune 29, 2010
On Saturday, southern Virginia lost a legend, a lion, and a beloved leader. Ruby Batts Archie, at the age of 76, passed away. She had been an educator in our community for 37 years. She had been the mayor of Danville from 1998 to 2000, and served on the city council for 16 years. She was just a few days from finally retiring from the council to spend more time with her grandchildren. She was a tireless educator; she was a fearless leader. She always put the interests of the people in her community ahead, being willing to work with people from all parties, my predecessor, Mr. Goode, myself, people in the city, people in the county. For her, this was a matter of faith; it was a matter of fairness. She will be deeply missed. We pray for her, for her family, and for all of those who served with her. It was an honor to have a chance to work with her to make Danville and southern Virginia a better place. And we look forward to what Mayor Sherman Saunders has called her everlasting legacy.
