Patrick County Virginia Stories

Beverly Belcher Woody, a native of Patrick County, Virginia, writes a weekly article for The Enterprise, the county's weekly newspaper. Her collection of one hundred stories shines a spotlight on the people and places within this unique region, situated half in the piedmont and half in the mountains along the border of Virginia and North Carolina.

Raised in the Big A community of Patrick County, Beverly's passion for history blossomed early on as she conducted her first interview with mountain residents at the tender age of 10. Following her high school graduation, Beverly spent 17 years working in the local textile mills. With the closure of the factories, she pursued an associate’s degree in paralegal studies and later served as a deputy clerk for the local district and circuit courts for fifteen years.

Throughout her time in the court system, Beverly continued her education, earning a bachelor's degree from Old Dominion University and taking master’s courses from Averett and Liberty University. She ultimately completed her master’s degree in education at Regent University. Transitioning from the court system at the age of 50, Beverly obtained her teacher licensure in history and English.

Currently, Beverly shares her passion for United States History with sixth-grade students at Martinsville Middle School. In addition to her teaching role, she writes a weekly column called Patrick Pioneers for The Enterprise, the oldest newspaper in Patrick County.

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Beverly is actively involved in various organizations. She serves as Regent of the Patrick Henry National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and sits on the Boards of Directors for the Patrick County Historical Society and Museum, as well as the Martinsville-Henry County Heritage Museum. In recognition of her dedication to education, Beverly was honored as the "Teacher of the Year" in 2023 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

Residing in the Snow Creek area of Franklin County, Virginia with her husband Mark, Beverly shares their home with an array of beloved animals. For inquiries, Beverly can be contacted via email at [email protected].

product information: