Beloved of the entire community, Louise Bailey - wife, mother, civic leader, newspaper columnist, author, historian, was a beautiful lady with a fine sense of humor and dry wit.  A native of Henderson County, she held a BA degree from Winthrop College, Rock Hill, and a B.S in Library Science from Columbia University in New York City. She has gone beyond the beaten paths to observe ways lingering from pioneer times well into the twentieth century. Through her weekly columns she portrayed history through human interest stories of people and events, many within her own recollection and others told by old-timers whose forebears charted the course of the town and country. She published two books, Along the Ridges and Go Home Wi’ Me and her book From Rock Hill to Connemara: The Story Before Carl Sandburg was published by the National Park Service. North Carolina Representative, Carolyn Justus, presented Louise the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2009, the highest award the state can bestow upon a civilian. Her achievements are too numerous to mention here, but her contributions to the community, especially through her weekly column and other writings are as valuable as any treasure. The treasure she provides is a continuing look at ourselves, our past, our roots, our heritage, our hearts. It is, in fact, a buried treasure that will reveal its true worth, the personality and heartbeat of a region, for many years to come. We all can be grateful for the legacy she created - a legacy that will grow in value with each succeeding generation.

Submitted by Sara Lee Nickell