valentinebHazel Armstrong Valentine

Hazel Armstrong Valentine was born in Martin County in 1895 and died in 1997. A graduate of Guilford College, Mrs. Valentine served as a parole officer at the National Training School for Girls, taught school, and worked as postmaster in Nashville for 16 years, but her legacy is in her volunteer work. She began the Coastal Plain Craft Show, was made a life member of the North Carolina Art Society, and received the NC Distinguished Woman Award. Mrs. Valentine almost single-handedly saved the old Nashville Baptist Church, which became home to the Nash Arts Center, which she helped found. At the age of 91, Mrs. Valentine carried the Olympic Torch when it traveled through Nash County for the 1988 Olympics.

Inducted into Hall of Fame 2007
Deceased