Setting the standard of service; Cumberland’s Gamage gives back
Published 6:08 am Thursday, August 25, 2016
- Preparing for a reenactment during one of Cumberland’s Patriot Days, Barbara Gamage, right, stands with Joanne Stanley and Allen Blakely in period clothing.
Her drive, work ethic and deep respect for the people of Cumberland County is unprecedented.
More than 75 years ago, Barbara Ann Gamage’s mother told her to do as much as she could for people in her life.
And Gamage has done just that and continues to as a career civic leader and educator.
A younger Barbara Gamage proudly stands with one of her pet cows, Babino, on Newstead Farm in Cartersville, where she was raised.
The now 79-year-old Cartersville native has been involved in more than 14 community and civic groups and churches, serving her friends and neighbors.
Gamage, who, on top of her civic duties, works at Ashby Antiques in Farmville and Cumberland, was honored last year for her 64 years of service as organist at St. James Episcopal Church in Cartersville — the same church she was baptized in as a little girl.
“Of course,” Gamage said when asked if she got satisfaction out of serving her church. “In fact, if I don’t go to church twice on Sunday, go to Emmanuel at 9 a.m., I feel like I haven’t done my duty. I’ve been doing it for so long, I guess.”
Barbara Gamage taught home economics, history, English and child care at Cumberland High School.
Gamage said she was overwhelmed by the event held in her honor and the people who attended from near and far.
“It was a great day,” she said with a smile.
The single day of celebration for Gamage was a result of her making hundreds of fun-filled days for residents across Cumberland County for many, many years through her community involvement.
When speaking to her, it’s clear she has a passionate love for Cumberland.
“I’ve lived there since I was three months old, in Cartersville. And, I guess it’s the makeup of people … You’re born a certain way,” she said.
Besides playing the organ for her home church in Cartersville, she played for years at Fitzgerald Baptist and Emmanuel churches in Powhatan.
Gamage has been instrumental in organizing many events and groups that still exist and serve county residents.
She was involved in the first Cumberland Christmas Parade, and continues to organize it; she’s a member of the Cumberland Woman’s Club, the County Historical Society, the Museum Board; and helped organize the first Cumberland Patriot’s Day, and continues to serve on its board.
She served as a magistrate for 10 years, and is a lifetime member of the Cumberland County Ruritan Club. She is a trustee of the Ca Ira Episcopal Church and organizes its annual service. Gamage organizes at least one class reunion a year for various Cumberland High School classes, and organized volume two of “Cumberland County Virginia And It’s People.” In 2013, she received the Virginia Community Builders Award from the Cumberland Masonic Lodge No. 283.
“Oh, I forgot about that,” Gamage said innocently of her serving on the Cumberland County Public School Foundation where she heads up the annual Walk For Education event.
On top of that, she’s been instrumental in establishing a museum to showcase Cumberland’s history.
Before retiring in 1991, Gamage taught high school in Cumberland for 30 years, teaching English, history, home economics and child care.
