BOGALUSA - Vaiden Barlow was as gracious and unassuming as always as more than 100 people gathered at the Bogalusa Country Club Thursday afternoon to honor her as the 2007 Citizen of the Year for Bogalusa/East Washington Parish.
"I'm just honored to be here," she said, "but I didn't do anything by myself ... (her late husband) R.T. was right there with me and the Lord was right there with me."
 Three recipients of the Citizen of the Year award visit prior to the reception for 2007 recipient Vaiden Barlow. From left, Marjorie Cutrer (2000), Carl Cutrer (1992) and Beverly Sheridan (2006). Advertisement |
In recounting her year as Citizen of the Year, 2006 recipient Beverly Sheridan said that while she was excited to learn she had been chosen, she was bothered because it had been her intent to nominate Barlow when she returned to Bogalusa.
"She is such a loving and deserving person," Sheridan said, as she leaned across a table to give Barlow a hug.
Posey, who has longed worked with Barlow through the Washington Parish Garden Club Council and the Washington Parish Fair, said, "Vaiden will always be there when says she will and roll up her sleeves to get the job done. People like Vaiden just volunteer to help without ever expecting anything in return.
"The only regret I have about Vaiden is that she belongs to Bogalusa and not Franklinton," Posey said with a laugh.
Norwood, Barlow's pastor at Superior Avenue Baptist Church, read from a list of church boards and committees she has served on over the years and said just recently, after asking the congregation to pray for a kindergarten teacher, Barlow came to him to volunteer.
"She's that type person," he said. "She's always there."
Bateman said she had known Barlow most of her life and that she had taught her many things.
"Young women need teachers like her to guide them," Bateman said.
When it was finally her turn to speak, Barlow said she didn't know what to say.
"They (Posey, Norwood and Bateman) said some very nice things ... but I can't remember some of that stuff (activities) they said."
In closing, Barlow said she "had a passion for people, and not things."
Barlow is the 49th recipient of the award, which was presented from 1955-1965 by the Bogalusa Jaycees as the Outstanding Young Man. After a lapse of four years, The Daily News began presenting the award in 1970 as the Outstanding Citizen of the Year.
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