Like the history she worked tirelessly to preserve, Virginia Bryant’s legacy of volunteerism and civic pride is something that shouldn’t be forgotten.

The Ironton resident and local historian passed away Saturday at the age of 82, leaving a void in the hearts of countless friends and family who will miss the woman who was known for her sharp mind and caring nature.

It would be next to impossible to find someone who had a negative word to say about the woman who always rose to the challenge when she was needed.

Bryant was a driving force within the Lawrence County Historical Society for many, many years. She was always on the frontlines when it came to recording and celebrating Ironton and the entire county’s history and heritage.

Bryant wrote several books and manuscripts including some about the county’s iron furnaces and one of its most famous ironmasters, Nannie Kelley Wright. She was also instrumental in organizing the recent 100th year celebration of the Lawrence County Courthouse and has been part of the effort to convert the historic Burlington jail into an Underground Railroad museum.

Every citizen can help honor Bryant’s legacy by taking an interest in history and doing his or her part to preserve it for future generations.

The cliché, often credited to Spanish-born American philosopher and poet George Santayana, is that “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

Virginia Bryant did her part to ensure that everyone could learn from Lawrence County’s past and only repeat the parts we choose.