Home Lifestyle Women’s History Month: Averitte a stalwart of the Seaboard City

Women’s History Month: Averitte a stalwart of the Seaboard City

Nancy Averitte was on the Seaboard Festival committee from 1983-2015.
Contributed photo

The youngest of seven children, Nancy Little Averitte, was born in Aug. 3, 1940 in Rockingham. After graduating high school in 1958, she married her husband, Bill Averitte, in 1959 and the newlyweds made their home in Hamlet, where Nancy would later become a major contributor in the railroad community. 

Averitte stayed at home with their two daughters, Angie Averitte and Amy Averitte Quick, until the girls were old enough to attend school. With the girls in school, Averitte began working for her brother at George’s Dinette, which later became Webb’s Fish Camp. Continuing in food service, Averitte was the familiar face serving sweet tea with a smile at Seaboard Station in Hamlet for almost 30 years, until her retirement in 2019 at 79 years young. 

In her spare time, Averitte joined the American Legion Auxiliary in 1979 and is still an active member. She served a variety of local, regional and state leadership positions (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer) in the Auxiliary and always helped with the baseball and bingo projects.   

From 1983-2015, Averitte was one of the key players volunteering to pull off one of Hamlet’s famous annual traditions, the Seaboard Festival. She attributes Johnny Greene and her interest in local history for inspiring her to participate in the annual festival to celebrate the community’s railroad history. Her dedication to the festival offered the perfect opportunity to give back to her community and make improvements for each subsequent year. 

The Seaboard Festival Review was always a treat for the local community and was held in the old Hamlet Opera house. Averitte was a bag lady and that crew always received a standing ovation. When she retired as the Festival president in 2015, she was presented with a key to the city from Mayor Bill Bayless and the City Council for her years of leadership and commitment to the Seaboard Festival. 

Advertisements

Additionally, she was chosen to be the grand marshal for the Hamlet Christmas parade for her selfless contributions to the city. While Averitte held various position with the Festival committee, her most favorite role was the entertainment chairperson.  

Averitte has also participated in the VFW Auxiliary, civic counsel and was a committee member when Hamlet was selected as an All-American City. She vividly recalls going to Phoenix, Arizona, and bringing home the prestigious recognition for her city.

Averitte’s commitment to giving back to the community, coupled with her contagious smile and laughter, make her someone that we are all proud to know. She also enjoys playing cards with a group of friends and has been involved in her card club for 50-plus years. She’s known to also take an occasional trip to Atlantic City to show them her card playing skills.   

Join us today in celebrating Averitte’s lifetime of dedication and service to the Hamlet community and Richmond County!

Meghann Lambeth is executive director of the Richmond County Tourism Development Authority. Republished from visitrichmondcounty.com. Throughout March, Visit Richmond County will feature a local leading lady in honor of Women’s History Month.

 



Previous articleIsiah Brown
Next articleN.C. garners national recognition for program that helps families pay water bills