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The Southampton County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Jan. 23 to adopt a resolution of appreciation for David B. Everett in connection with his service on the board as the interim Northwest District supervisor following the passing of Dallas O. Jones.

A longtime board member, Jones had been reelected in 2019 to what was known then as the Drewryville District seat, prior to redistricting. He passed away Sept. 11, 2022, and his term was not set to expire until Dec. 31, 2023.

Everett ran against Jones in the 2019 election, and though Everett lost, he was the runner-up by a narrow 24-vote margin, receiving 46.9% of the vote as the final tallies were 213 to 189.

When the board moved to fill the seat following Jones’ passing, Southwest District Supervisor Lynda T. Updike nominated Everett to be the interim supervisor based on the level of support he had received from Drewryville voters.

Everett ended up serving as an interim supervisor for the remainder of Jones’ unexpired term, from Sept. 27, 2022, through Dec. 31, 2023.

Because of redistricting, the Board of Supervisors will eventually shrink to five seats to match the new number of districts in the county. The board moved down to six seats after the end of 2023, with Vice Chair William Hart Gillette now representing Drewryville, in addition to Capron, as the lone Northwest District supervisor.

Everett opted not to run against Gillette for the seat.

Central District Supervisor and Board Chair Dr. Alan W. Edwards presented Everett with a framed copy of the resolution of appreciation at the board’s Jan. 23 meeting, and he read aloud the contents of the document, which are as follows:

“Whereas, David B. Everett has served as a valuable member of the Southampton County Board of Supervisors from Sept. 27, 2022, until Dec. 31, 2023; and

“Whereas, David B. Everett has unselfishly given of his time and talents to effectively promote the health, safety, prosperity and orderly development of Southampton County, including levying county taxes, appropriating funds, making and enforcing ordinances and setting policies and procedures for the citizens of Southampton County; and

“Whereas, his broad knowledge of Southampton County and concern for its citizens contributed immensely to the Board of Supervisors’ efforts in effectively balancing growth and development;

“Now, therefore, be it resolved by the Southampton County Board of Supervisors that David B. Everett is recognized and commended for one year and three months of devoted service to the people of Southampton County as an esteemed member of the Board of Supervisors; and

“Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be spread upon the minutes of this board on the 23rd day of January, 2024, serving to record and forever preserve its gratitude and appreciation; and

“Be it further resolved that a framed copy of this resolution be presented to David B. Everett as a visual token of the high esteem in which he is held by the Board of Supervisors and the people of Southampton County, Virginia.”

As Edwards handed Everett the resolution and shook his hand, he told him, “I tell you what — we will miss you.”

Everett asked if he could say a few words, to which Edwards readily agreed.

Aiming to be of help to the board and county even in this instance, Everett went to the speaker’s lectern and took a moment to share some information he had researched regarding solar operations.

Then he closed by saying, “Thank you all very much, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I hope you all (have) much success.”

Edwards said, “Thank you for your service, sir.”

Everett reflected more on his time on the board in a Tuesday, Jan. 30, interview with The Tidewater News.

“It was very rewarding and fulfilling,” he said.

He emphasized that being a supervisor is about service.

“The supervisors took a cut in pay this year,” he said. “They didn’t have to, but they did. They did that in order to have a balanced budget.”

He noted that being on the board is “something that you do to just serve. You’ve got to be of a mindset to serve if you’re going to be on that. You’re not doing it for the money.”

He appreciated the resolution of appreciation but made it clear that accolades were not something he was pursuing.

“The biggest joy I get out of life is helping others, and that’s what I do,” he said. “I do it in the community now, and I don’t seek recognition, because anyone that seeks recognition, they’re not doing the Lord’s work. So it’s just about helping others, because people need a hand up, and they need it from time to time, and they don’t know where to turn, so if you get a chance to help others, that’s what you have to do.”