Some volunteers touch your heart and their impact stays with you for a lifetime. That was certainly true for longtime EFNEP volunteer Willie Mae Overton, who passed away on September 1, 2026, at 87 years old. Willie Mae led a life defined by service, dedicating her time to numerous local agencies including the Food Bank of the Albemarle, where she volunteered for more than 30 years. In her last 13 years alone, she gave more than 2,800 hours of service across more than 500 events. Reflecting on her legacy, Brian Gray, chief communications and public policy officer at the Food Bank of the Albemarle, shared:
“After 65 years of service to the local hospital, Willie Mae Overton dedicated her retirement days to volunteering at the Food Bank of the Albemarle and the community. Whether she was working with families in our nutrition program, helping neighbors shop in our Neighborhood Hub food pantry, or representing the Food Bank at our special events, Willie Mae embodied the spirit of giving to others. She made our neighbors feel seen, heard, and valued. She provided a safe place with dignity and respect to everyone who entered through our doors. And she reminded us all of the importance of serving our neighbors and community with dedication and grace.”
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For the past 28 years, Willie Mae worked closely alongside Pasquotank County EFNEP educator Della Hicks. She was a constant, welcoming presence, assisting participants with paperwork, encouraging them to try healthy food samples, and serving as a steadfast supporter of the program. She was also known for one uncompromising rule: no cellphones during EFNEP lessons. Gently pointing to posted signs, Willie Mae would remind participants to put away their phones and focus on the valuable information being shared. She truly believed in the power of the material and insisted that everyone’s full attention be on the task at hand. Her dedication did not go unnoticed.
In 2019, when the Food Bank of the Albemarle received the EFNEP Champion Award, Willie Mae stood proudly with the team to accept it. Her lifelong commitment was formally honored on September 12, when Elizabeth City Mayor E. Kirk Rivers proclaimed that her birthday, May 27, will hereafter be celebrated as “Willie Mae Overton Day.” The proclamation celebrated her extraordinary life of service to Elizabeth City, recognizing a legacy of compassion, leadership and perseverance that will continue to inspire generations to come. In loving memory of her decades of devoted service, the EFNEP Golden Star Award is being awarded in memoriam and will be presented to her family as a token of deep appreciation for her remarkable impact.
