The Farmville Herald And Farmer Leader

A Wealth of Health

The next prized possession is good health. Good health adds great wealth to a community. This being true, Miss Mamie E. Rice, who retired April 30 after 36 years of service to Prince Edward county as county health nurse, has contributed greatly to the wealth as well as the health of the county.

Soon after graduation as a registered nurse, Miss Rice began her career to bring health to the people of her home county. She has labored long, efficiently and intelligently. With other far-seeing citizens, among whom the most ardent was the late Dr. J. L. Jarman, Miss Rice taught the people the need of beginning health procedures in the early ages and for some time worked principally with the schools. It was not easy. Not only must the teachers, the pupils, the parents be won to the program,
but the public generally. This she accomplished through many patient hours.

Her leadership has been far-reaching. Public interest in health, and the presence of a struggling health program in Prince Edward, was a prime cause in the establishment of the first rural hospital under direction of the Commonwealth Fund of New York, in Farmville.

A real pioneer in the public health field, patient, persevering, energetic and efficient, Miss Rice has contributed magnificently to the well-being of Prince Edward county people and her example has been a challenge to others in public health work in Virginia.

In the days ahead may the hours of leisure so richly deserved, be filled with the joy of a job well done.