BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — Linda Lou Webb, Barry Webb and Brenda Evans Davis found themselves in the spotlight Sunday during the Christmas in the Mountains Merry Little Christmas Party. The festival founders received a surprise honor: the “Angels of Christmas in the Mountains” award.
The recognition, presented by Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty, celebrated their tireless work in transforming Inez into a celebration of lights and Jesus.
“They don’t expect this; they don’t want it,” Lafferty said as he introduced the award. “They truly have a servant’s heart and a servant doesn’t seek glory for the work that they do. They do it because they have a heart to be a servant as our lord was.”
Lafferty reminded attendees just how much work goes into the festival each year.
“You know the work that’s involved in getting up there and putting lights on your house, decorating the tree and putting the star on the tree,” he said. “Imagine, if you will, decorating the entire city and putting together all of the events for Christmas in the Mountains, including being here tonight.”
The effort, Lafferty explained, starts long before anyone is thinking of tinsel or candy canes. “The ideas begin forming in January.”
He pointed out that the founders say the festival began as a response to a divine calling seven years ago—a vision from God inspiring them to light up the city.
“They wanted to bring joy to the children and the people of our county at Christmastime by bringing all of us Christmas in the Mountains,” noted Lafferty. “It’s grown every year.”
Deputy Judge/Executive Carolea Mills presented the awards, a gesture that visibly moved Linda Lou Webb.
“It’s so beautiful,” Linda Lou said, pausing to collect her thoughts. “We do not do it for this. We do it because God put it in our hearts. And then everyone who joins us catches a vision. Everyone you saw up here tonight who helps us puts their whole heart into it.”
Linda Lou added, “We’re praying that God will continue this on for many, many years, even without us.”
Brenda Evans Davis turned emotional as she expressed her gratitude for her husband, former Judge/Executive Bill Davis.
“When he was judge, it opened the door for us to go and do whatever we wanted to do,” she said. “And most of all, I thank God for raising him up. He was a doorway, a gateway, for that season and that time.”
Barry Webb, known for his behind-the-scenes Christmas decoration work, could not resist a bit of humor.
“Enjoy the city,” Barry told the crowd. “And if you see a light out, do like most people do—text Linda or Facetime her. Then she will come in and say, ‘Barry, this light is out. Get down there and fix it.”