Background: Held positions at the National Security Agency for 30 years while working part time as a house painter and contractor. Korean War veteran, chairman of the Deacon Board and trustee at Shiloh Baptist Church, Woodville for more than 50 years. Active in the church’s outreach and community-support programs. Rappahannock native who splits his time between Woodville and Arlington. Has three children and three grandchildren. Age 93.
The Spark: We grew up on a farm in Woodville and all I knew was work from sunup to sundown. It was tough in those days but I learned the value of hard work and the importance of applying yourself to get the job done. My dad always set the example. He told us that when you set out to do something you give it your all and stick with it. To this day I can remember him mowing the fields with a team of mules. We didn’t have tractors back then.
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Proudest Achievement: When he was a young man my dad told me he only was paid $250 a year in wages. I didn’t want that life, so I left Woodville when I was 19 to find work in Northern Virginia. I was a truck driver, served in the Korean War, worked for the federal government and moonlighted as a tradesman and painter. After retiring from government service in 1985, I continued painting for another 30 years. Word got around that I was pretty good at it. Some of my customers used to fly me out to California to paint houses. I retired when I was 86. I don’t think hard work ever killed anybody.
Biggest Challenge: My wife passed away at age 56. We were married 30 years. It was a challenging time for our family. Having the kids at home and working was difficult but we managed. On a positive note, I was able to put my two daughters through college and my son has followed in my footsteps, working in the federal government and doing painting jobs on the side. I am thankful the good Lord has blessed me and watched over me throughout my life.
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George Harrison on his front porch in Woodville, Va in Sept. 2023.
Why It Matters: Doing good works through our church makes a real difference in people’s lives. Our missionary work provides funds to help young people go to college and we make donations of food and money to those in need, especially around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. Hopefully, it encourages more people to get active in charitable activities, especially the younger generations. We need more young people in the pews. Attending church, whatever the denomination, is a great way to get involved with helping neighbors and do good works in the community.
Favorite Rappahannock Treasure: I love the quiet of country life and the community here in little Woodville and have so many fond memories of living here. Our community would be even better If we could get drivers to slow down on Sperryville Pike and respect our village.
— Bob Hurley for Foothills Forum
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Foothills Forum is an independent, community-supported nonprofit tackling the need for in-depth research and reporting on Rappahannock County issues.
The group has an agreement with Rappahannock Media, owner of the Rappahannock News, to present this and other reporting projects. More at foothillsforum.org.
