At his final meeting as a Halifax County commissioner, Patrick Qualls was honored by his fellow board members, staff and friends for eight years of service.

Those accolades even included the singing of the standard hymn The Old Rugged Cross by fellow board member, Commissioner John Smith.

Qualls opted to not seek another term on board during this election cycle.

The resolution honoring Qualls, who was also a former member of the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District Board Trustees, said, “During his service as an elected official, Mr. Qualls demonstrated wisdom, creativity and community spirit, all tempered with exceptional common sense and engaging personality, which gained the admiration and respect of his fellow commissioners and the citizens of Halifax County.”

The resolution continued that he was involved in many decisions which affected the character of the community and in doing so he exhibited “sound judgment and concern for the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens, thus enhancing county services and improving Halifax County’s unique quality of life.”

Qualls, the document said, “was honored, respected, and held in the highest esteem by everyone who knew him for many contributions and untiring efforts that has indeed left an indelible mark on Halifax County which he served well.”

The resolution thanked the commissioner “for the outstanding service … (he) has rendered to Halifax County,” and extended to him the county’s “best wishes for the success, happiness and prosperity in his future endeavors.”

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In beginning the ceremony honoring Qualls, board Chair Vernon Bryant said, “Today is a very tough day for Patrick, many of you and it's a tough day for Vernon Bryant as well. He’s one of my best friends.”

Bryant and Qualls served on the Roanoke Rapids school board together. “We worked together on a lot of projects — that new Manning school and a lot of other things. Patrick Qualls is just a dedicated, dedicated public servant. He’s one of the smartest persons I’ve ever met.”

Bryant described Qualls as a good steward of taxpayer dollars. “He understands fiscal responsibility.”

After singing to Qaulls, Smith said, “It has been a pleasure to meet you and serve with you for this brief time we’ve been together. I’ve learned a lot from you. I find you to be a very knowledgeable and wise individual and one who is a great steward of the taxpayers’ money. If we spend a dollar we want to make sure we’re spending it correctly and we appreciate that.”

Commissioner Carolyn Johnson presented Qualls a photo collage of board members while Linda Brewer presented him his nameplate.

Johnson, who lives in Hollister, said she and Qualls, who was originally from Hollister, “Talk a lot about our community as well as the county at large. A lot of times on this board we make decisions where we always don’t agree but we’re never disagreeable and we get along.”

Qualls referred to Johnson as his aunt and Brewer as his Roanoke Rapids mother. 

“Patrick, I am certainly going to miss you,” Johnson said. “The service you’ve given to this community, the service you’ve given to the state, you’re daddy would have been proud.”

Brewer met Qualls when they served on the city school board. “I just had so much respect for him on the school board even though we didn’t vote the same way on money sometimes. Then as I came over to this board I told his daddy if I didn’t already have a son he’d be my son. We have been blessed to have this young man on this board. He has been a wonderful steward of county resources. He is probably one of the most willing to listen (to) individual I’ve ever known. Even when he disagrees with a thought, he will listen. He will not argue. I’m going to miss that.”

State Representative Michael Wray, his voice breaking, said, “Patrick, you’ve truly been a good friend to me. We’ve seen some of our friends pass away together and we buried some of our good friends … You’re one of the most honorable men I’ve ever dealt with in politics.”

Wray presented congratulations from the state house of representatives for his years of service.

County staff, including Clerk to the Board Andrea Wiggins and County Manager Dia Denton also presented the outgoing commissioner gifts.

In a resolution of appreciation, Wiggins read that Qualls was humble, shrewd and passionate about Halifax County.

Denton said for the many times Qualls said, ‘“I know you can’t wait to get rid of me,’ that is not true and we say that to all six of you. We go to conferences and we go to meetings and we hear some pretty interesting stories in other counties of folks that can’t get along … but that doesn’t happen here.”

Former Halifax County Manager Tony Brown said, “Patrick is one of the commissioners that when it comes time to ask questions, Patrick has always had that knack to question … It’s been a joy working with you.”

Former Halifax County Sheriff M.L. Stallings said many people were disappointed when Qualls decided to not seek another term. “They were confident that whatever Patrick Qualls was involved in that he would make sure that it was all in the best interest of all the citizens of Halifax County.”

District Attorney Valerie Asbell, who also decided not to seek another term, said, “In Proverbs, it says God appoints people into these positions, into public service positions. He appoints people in these positions you can trust usually with wisdom and they pray through their decisions. You and all these commissioners seated here were friends to me when I came here and I thank you for that. You have given me good advice in my position as elected district attorney.”

Ronnie Keeter, who is retired from the state Department of Transportation and a close friend of Qualls, said, “I’m awfully proud of his service. When it’s a subject that’s kind of tough he canvasses the community. He wants to find out how people really feel and really wants to make good decisions and I hope every commissioner thinks like that.”

Mike Williams, a member of the Roanoke Rapids school board and chair of the Halifax Community College Board of Trustees, said during numerous phone conversations, which he said meant a lot to him, “We talked about county politics, we talked a little bit about county commissioner business, we talked a little bit about school board business, but most of the time we talked about the things that meant a lot to us from shared values to a love for this county, the value of education, our children and precious grandchildren and what a wonderful place this is for them to grow up. It’s become a wonderful place because of people like Patrick Qualls.”

Halifax County Economic Development Director Cathy Scott said, “I appreciate the leadership that Mr. Qualls has provided economic development over the years. We’ve had some tremendous challenges but also some tremendous opportunities. You as a board and in your individual capacities certainly lent so much knowledge and wisdom to help us make good decisions in the end. You’ve been a big part of that. You’re that businessman who understands that side of things that oftentimes some of us don’t understand.”

Qualls recognized his late fellow commissioners Rachel Hux and Marcelle Smith. “Both were great commissioners and we miss them dearly.”

He said when Marcelle Smith passed away, “We got really lucky when he (Marcelle’s father John) decided to take that appointment. He’s an excellent commissioner, level-headed — when he speaks you listen. Ms. Brewer, she is like a mama to me and has been for a long time.”

He credited Wiggins for being the best letter-writer in the world.

He described fellow Commissioner Rives Manning as a dear friend and a great man. “If you ever want to know where you stand, just ask him.”

Of Johnson, he said, “We’ve really become very good friends. Ms. Johnson is the prime example of not having preconceived notions about how you get along with people … I value that friendship and it’s a testament to listening.”

He told Bryant, “I’ll never forget our time together. We talked a lot. You’ve been a dear friend to me. I’ve never been on a board where he wasn’t the chairman. You’ve done a hell of a job. A lot of what goes on here goes on because of this man.”

He commended the staff and closed saying, “I’ve enjoyed my time here and it has greatly enriched my life to serve this county.”