By Miles Layton

Sue Getty tipped me off to this story — thanks!  

COLUMBIA — Decades of quiet volunteer work were finally given their moment in the spotlight this week, as the Tyrrell County Senior Adult Activity Center honored the community’s outstanding seniors — including two longtime volunteer coaches nominated as a “dynamic duo” for their decades of service to local youth.

The recognition event, held at the Citizen Center, was organized by Shenita Jones, aging services administrator for the Tyrrell County Senior Adult Activity Center, who had put out a call earlier this year for nominations honoring seniors who have made a lasting difference in the community.

Among those nominations was one submitted by a local grandmother, Sue McKinney Getty, and her 15-year-old grandson, Justice, who put forward Coach David Kitts and Coach Steve Ralph — two men who have spent a combined 68 years coaching baseball, basketball and football for Tyrrell County Parks and Recreation.

“As soon as I saw the call for nominations recognizing seniors who make a difference in our community, I shared with my grandson Justice,” the nominator wrote in her original letter. “We thought of this dynamic duo.”

Kitts, 76, has volunteered with the recreation program for 31 years and, according to the nomination, remains “willing and able to continue.” Ralph has coached for 37 years and, the letter states, “certainly is not finished.” Both men are U.S. Marine Corps veterans.

While only one nominee could ultimately be selected for the top honor, Kitts was recognized with an Honorable Mention, an award he shared with Joe Bowser, another local woman also nominated for her contributions to the community. And yes, I’ve been told that’s the correct spelling — Joe — for Bowser’s first name.

The event carried a message that reached beyond the awards themselves. Tyrrell County Manager David Clegg spoke to those gathered about the importance of volunteers in a community the size of Tyrrell County, telling attendees that the work such individuals do leaves an impact that lasts far longer than the moment it happens — echoing the very spirit behind the “dynamic duo” nomination.

That nomination had described Kitts and Ralph as coaches who go well beyond drawing up lineups. According to Getty’s letter, the pair have spent decades preparing the baseball field before games, cleaning up afterward, driving players to and from practices, and keeping their teams supplied with water and Gatorade — all while providing individualized pitching and batting instruction along the way.

“It would be difficult to find a family in Tyrrell County that has not had a son, grandson, nephew, or someone they know who has benefited from the positive influence of these two men,” the nomination reads.

The letter credited the coaches with instilling more than athletic skill in their players, pointing to sportsmanship, teamwork and respect as lessons that follow young people well into adulthood.

“Both coaches generously give their time and talents while never seeking recognition,” the nomination states. “They have never received monetary compensation.”

Though the top Outstanding Senior honor went elsewhere this year, those close to the nomination say the recognition of Kitts — and the community conversation his and Ralph’s names sparked — was its own kind of win for a county where volunteerism runs deep.

“With much respect and appreciation, Justice and I recommend Coach David Kitts and Coach Steve Ralph, the dynamic duo, for the Outstanding Senior(s) Award,” the original nomination reads.

For a small county like Tyrrell, the afternoon at the Citizen Center served as a reminder that some of the most lasting contributions to a community come not with a paycheck, but with a coach’s whistle, a bag of bats, and enough Gatorade to get a team through another season.