Editor, The Beacon:

Rosalynn Carter’s recent passing brought back memories of a caring, loving individual who, along with her husband, Jimmy, really did make this world a better place. Her last public appearance at the Plains Peanut Festival in September brought back memories of her appearance at the same festival in 1991.

My family and I had recently moved to Leesburg, Georgia, just south of Plains. My younger son, Terrence, was a Cub Scout whose pack had been invited to march in the parade. While he and my husband, Joe, were finding the pack’s place in the parade lineup, I was perusing some souvenirs on Plains’ main street. I nearly bumped into two men wearing vests and sports shirts, not the shorts and T-shirts of the other attendees.

I found a spot to view the parade along the street. I soon heard a familiar-sounding voice conversing with other women. There behind me was Rosalynn, chatting with her neighbors. She was asking them about their new grandbabies and their teenagers’ plans for college. Her friends and neighbors were eager to share their latest news with the former first lady. She was genuinely interested in their stories.

The men in vests were nearby scanning the friendly crowd. I thought to myself, where else in the world would I overhear a wife of a world leader chatting with ordinary people. Later, Rosalynn was introduced to the crowd from the reviewing stand across the street. The master of ceremonies explained that Jimmy wasn’t there because he was traveling.

After the parade passed by, I joined my family on the festival grounds, where there was ample food, entertainment and a crafts show.

I collect angels from all over the world, and I bought a beautiful gold and white ceramic angel — my Plains Angel — to go along with my Nuremberg and Salzburg angels.

But the real Plains angel was not my ceramic one, but the soft-spoken lady from Plains I saw that day. She cared so much for people and helped so many — those with mental illness, the elderly, children and caregivers. She will take her place in the humble red-clay soil of the cemetery in Plains, where she will be forever remembered as a lady who truly made a positive difference.

B. Virginia Comella

DeLand