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CORRESPONDENT OF THE DAY

By Staff Reports
Published: January 9, 2009

The Unnoted Often Lead Remarkable Lives

-- Editor, Times-Dispatch:

You recently published an article regarding notable people who died in 2008. Reading about some of the people considered to be worthy of inclusion in your article literally made my heart ache. You see, my father passed away in November. His was one of countless obituaries of non-notable people published in your paper during the year.

My father was a quiet, unassuming man who lived a decent, upright life. He volunteered to serve his country during World War II and then came home to share almost 60 years of marriage with the woman who was his helpmate in raising three daughters in a Christian home. He was an honest, hard-working man who excelled in his chosen occupation of farming and provided for his family, not only materially but also in the example he set of how to live an honorable life. To his much-beloved grandchildren he left behind the legacy of many happy memories and a well-respected name.

Wouldn't the world be a much better place if there were more people of my father's ilk, rather than the LSD discoverer, the madam, the stripper, and the foul-mouthed comedian mentioned in your article? While my father's death was not considered newsworthy, like countless other ordinary Americans who left us this year, his passing was a greater loss to humanity than many considered to be notable.

Terri Edwards Branch. Waverly.