Crane, Finks and Stewart left marks on Culpeper

Piggybacking on today’s letters to the editor, we thought it appropriate to talk about a few people whose careers in public service have impacted the Culpeper community. All were county government employees; two recently departed this life while another is riding off into the golden sunset known as retirement.

* * *

Ever since 1983, Peggy Crane has done a bit of everything at the county government offices. Unfortunately, she had to retire after a stroke last year slowed her body but not her mind. It was fitting for the county to throw her a party this month and present her with a resolution of appreciation. Crane, who became the county’s first certified municipal clerk 10 years ago, will be missed. We wish her the best and hope she can come back to work in a part-time capacity.

* * *

For 12 years, Tony Stewart served as superintendent of Culpeper County Public Schools. Stewart, who died Sunday at the age of 67, will be remembered as a warm soul who loved children and gave the finest years of his life to our area. In addition to his tenure at CCPS, Stewart served as principal at schools in Fauquier and Spotsylvania counties.
Having recently left his superintendent post in North Carolina, he chose to spend his final days in Culpeper, battling the complications of double pneumonia. Thank you, Mr. Stewart, for your service to our children.

* * *

Alta Brown Finks wasn’t exactly the most outgoing person in the world. In fact, she was known as someone who would just rather be left alone. But there were other things that made her special.
Finks, who died June 7 at the age of 96, was, until retiring two years ago, the oldest and longest-serving registrar in Virginia history. Talk about dedication to the job! In the 1960s, before the county paid for the registrar’s office, Finks used to foot the bill herself. There’s a lot to be said for that kind of commitment.