By Miles Layton

Patricia Familiar, the beloved longtime manager of the Gates County Public Library known affectionately throughout the community as “Miss Pat,” has joined God’s library.  

A native of Gates County, Familiar dedicated more than four decades of her life to serving the residents of her home county through the public library system. She began her tenure as Branch Manager of the Gates County Public Library on September 1, 1983, and over the course of 40+ years oversaw operations in three different library buildings, witnessing and guiding the institution through sweeping changes in how communities access information and education.

Her contributions were vast and deeply personal to countless residents. During her tenure, Familiar organized 40 Summer Reading Programs, hosted thousands of Storytime sessions, and offered tens of thousands of reading recommendations to patrons of all ages. She shepherded the library through one of its most significant technological transitions — from a physical card catalog system to today’s cloud-based, web-hosted platform — ensuring that Gates County residents were never left behind as the world changed around them.

In September 2023, the Gates County Board of Commissioners formally honored Familiar with a resolution recognizing her four decades of service. Board Chair Dr. Althea A. Riddick presented the resolution, which praised Familiar’s “exceptional commitment” to the Gates County Public Library and the Albemarle Regional Library System.

At the ceremony, Familiar expressed heartfelt appreciation for the recognition.

“It has been a wonderful joy to be part of Gates County Public Library,” she told the Board of Commissioners.

Albemarle Regional Library Director Hugh Davis echoed the sentiments of the community, expressing how grateful the system was to have had Familiar serving patrons in that capacity for so long, according to the meeting’s minutes.  

Beyond her professional accomplishments, those who knew and worked alongside Miss Pat remembered her equally for who she was as a person. The county’s resolution noted that “her sense of humor, kindness, energy, and graciousness” enriched everyone fortunate enough to cross her path — and that over 40 years, she never lost her love for making others smile or her passion for sharing the love of books.

The State of North Carolina recognized her contributions as well, awarding her the William Robert Award for Distinguished Library Service — a fitting tribute to a woman who turned a small county library into a cornerstone of community life for multiple generations.

Congressman Don Davis often made a stop to see her when he passed through Gates County — that’s where the story’s photo comes from.

Davis thanked her for her decades of dedication to local residents and for helping multiple generations of children fall in love with reading. 

“A trip to Gates County isn’t complete without visiting the library and saying hello to ‘Ms. Pat’ Familar! After 42 years of devoted service, Ms. Pat and the library are cherished treasures in the community, providing vital resources and programs, fostering education, literacy, and professional growth,” Davis posted to social media last year.

Miss Pat leaves behind a legacy measured not only in programs and policies, but in the quiet, lasting impact of a child discovering a favorite book, a family finding resources in a time of need, and a community made richer by her lifelong devotion to it.

In other news, Gates County Schools’ Finance Office Steven Harrell will become Chief Finance Officer of Pitt County Schools effective July 1, 2026 — Congrats!

Pitt County Schools will have a new permanent Chief Finance Officer starting July 1, with Superintendent Steve M. Lassiter Jr. announcing the appointment of Harrell to the position, according to Pitt County Schools. 

Harrell brings more than a decade of financial leadership experience in North Carolina public education to the role. He has most recently served as Executive Director of Finance for Gates County Schools since 2023. Prior to that appointment, he spent five years as the Executive Director of Finance for Bertie County Schools and previously held central office finance and account specialist positions within the Gates County school system.

Harrell earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Elizabeth City State University and a Master of Business Administration in Accounting and Human Resources from DeVry University’s Keller Graduate School of Management. He also holds Director, Manager, and Specialist Certificates from the North Carolina Association of Business Officials.

In his announcement to school and district leaders, Lassiter said Harrell’s “extensive expertise in school district budgeting, fiscal compliance, and strategic planning will be a tremendous asset to our leadership team and our entire school community.”

Good news for Pitt and Harrell too — he gets to eat at B’s Barbecue, maybe Parker’s BBQ. Means the search for a new Finance Officer is ahead. Whoever is hired will have to deal with the challenges of balancing the books for a rural school system.

One last bit of Gates County news — legal eagle Phil Godwin, Jr., is retiring as County Attorney, effective July 1. If you saw our previous story, then you know his longtime law partner, Thomas Wood, was appointed as County Attorney. That’s Godwin to the left beside Wood — I hate the lighting in that courtroom. When I get back from beach, I’ll probably try to catch up with Godwin for a proper interview.

For many years, Godwin served as Gates County Attorney, a role that placed him at the center of local governance and cemented his reputation as one of the county’s most trusted legal voices. That tenure reflected not only his professional expertise but also a deep and abiding commitment to the people and institutions of his home county.

His professional affiliations speak to the breadth of his engagement within the legal community. Godwin has served as past president of the First Judicial District Bar and holds memberships in both the North Carolina Bar Association and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice — organizations dedicated to upholding the integrity of the legal profession and expanding access to justice across the state.

But Godwin’s sense of service has never been confined to the courtroom. Over the years, he has given generously of his time and resources to a wide range of civic and community organizations. He served as a member of the vestry at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church and as a past member of the Gatesville Volunteer Fire Department, stepping up alongside neighbors to protect the community in one of its most essential capacities.

His support for law enforcement has been equally steadfast. Godwin has contributed to the North Carolina Highway Patrol Police Benevolence Society and holds membership in the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association — gestures of solidarity with the men and women who serve on the front lines of public safety.

A little bit about Godwin — he has built a legal career and civic legacy that spans more than four decades — all rooted in the small but tight-knit community of Gates County.

A product of local schools, Godwin is a graduate of Gates County High School before going on to earn his degree from Wake Forest University and his law degree from North Carolina Central School of Law. He has been in continuous legal practice since 1980, and in 1989 expanded his credentials when he was admitted to practice in the Federal District Court.

Away from professional life, Godwin’s ties to the land and waters of the region run just as deep. He is a member of Gates County Ducks Unlimited, Nixon’s Ditch Fishing Club, and the Sunbury Investment Club — affiliations that reflect a man fully invested in the outdoor heritage and economic fabric of his community. His loyalty to his alma mater endures as well, evidenced by his membership in the Wake Forest Deacons Club.

Taken together, the arc of Godwin’s career paints a portrait of a man who chose to plant his roots at home and grow something lasting — not just a legal practice, but a life of meaningful contribution to the county and community that shaped him.