Zach Cooley poses with Blue Ridge Bobcats media relations director and broadcaster Brett Wiseman (left) at the Hitachi Energy Arena on March 28.
Zach Cooley poses with Blue Ridge Bobcats media relations director and broadcaster Brett Wiseman (left) at the Hitachi Energy Arena on March 28.
Wall of Honor Committee Member Supervisor Rolland R. Cook presents Travis D. Jackson with a 2026 Civic Monument honoree certificate at a recent ceremony.
Wall of Honor Committee Member Town Councilwoman Holly Atkins presents the late Rush Cecil Jackson Sr., and the late Seawillow Umberger Jackson with 2026 Civic Monument honoree certificates at a recent ceremony. The awards were accepted by Linda Brogden, friend of the Jackson family.
Three persons were chosen to be added in 2026 to the Civic Monument at the Wall of Honor in Withers Park.
Each person has left his distinctive and unique mark on Wytheville and Wythe County.
For the first time in the history of the award, two of honorees were husband and wife - Rush Cecil Jackson Sr. and Seawillow Umberger Jackson.
Jackson was born 1922 in Emory, and spent his early years on a Washington County farm. His father was a Methodist circuit minister who moved the family to Wytheville in 1934.
Jackson graduated from high school in Speedwell and then attended the Norfolk Academy. He worked aboard ship, sailing between New Jersey and South America, before joining the U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II. He served from December 1941 to April 1946. As Chief Bosun Mate (Master of the Crew), he participated in pivotal operations in Italy and the Normandy Gold Coast Landing. His military training included Fort Trumbull U.S. Service Officer Candidate School and the Maritime Academy. He received the following military honors: Mediterranean Middle East War Zone Bar, Atlantic War Zone Bar, Pacific War Zone Bar, Merchant Marine Combat Bar, World War II Medal, and the War Service Medal from the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
After the war, Jackson returned to Wytheville in 1946 and married Seawillow Umberger at St. John’s Episcopal Church. They moved to Northern Virginia in 1948 where Jackson owned Alexandria Surveys, a surveying and engineering business. He won the bid to begin development of the subway system in Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia. He sold the business in 1977, and the couple relocated to Texas to be closer to their daughter. During their time in San Antonio, Cecil volunteered and served on many church and arts organizations.
The Jacksons would return to Wytheville each summer to care for their family farm and preserve its historic structures, including the barn and log cabins. They moved back to Wytheville permanently in 2009.
Cecil’s significant local civic involvement and contributions included being a troop leader with the Boy Scouts of America, serving as Vestry, Stewardship Chairman, and Senior Warden with St. John’s Episcopal Church, member of the Lions Club and the Sons of the American Revolution, Masonic Service, and partnering with Dr. Rogney to build the Rogney-Jackson Medical Complex.
As a direct descendant of Thomas Jackson, he was enrolled in the First Families of Wythe County as of 1810. He received the Paul Harris Fellow award from the Wytheville Rotary Club, the National Community Service Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution and his 90th birthday, Sept. 11, 2012, was proclaimed “Rush Cecil Jackson Sr. Day by then-Mayor Trent Crewe.
Seawillow Umberger Jackson was born in Wytheville in 1925. Originally from Texas, Seawillow’s mother and grandmother spent many summers in Wytheville to escape the heat of Texas. It was while staying at the Fourth Avenue Hotel that Seawillow’s mother Vivian met and married the co-owner of the hotel, Herbert Umberger.
While living in Northern Virginia Seawillow worked for the FBI and The United States Geological Survey. In Texas, Seawillow was actively involved in community service and volunteering at St. David’s Episcopal Church, the McNay Art Museum, the Southwest School of Arts and Crafts, and the San Antonio Garden Center.
After returning to Wytheville for good, Seawillow became active in the Wythe Arts Council, St John’s Episcopal Church, and Boy Scouts of America. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution for over 65 years. As a direct descendant of Henry Umberger of Rose Hill, she was enrolled among the First Families of Wythe County as of 1810.
Their joint dedication to historic preservation began in 2000 when Seawillow fulfilled a promise to her father to preserve the family homestead. In that year, she and Cecil donated their nine-acre residence to the Town of Wytheville, thus establishing the Willowbrook Jackson-Umberger Homestead Museum. This living history site includes: the family home which now houses the Wythe County decorative arts museum; the smokehouse, spring house, and kitchen house; the Henry Umberger cabin; a log barn and frame barn; and blacksmith, gunsmith and woodworking shops. The museum serves as a regional center for education and historical preservation, interpreting Wythe County farm life from the 18th to late 19th century. The Jacksons also helped establish the E. Lee Trinkle Visitors Center and donated the Great Lakes to Florida Highway Museum, both facilities on the overall property complex. Their legacy is one of patriotism, generosity and commitment to community and history.
Seawillow Jackson passed away in 2020 at the age of 94. Cecil Jackson Sr., passed away in 2021 at the age of 98. The Jacksons had two children as well as multiple grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The third Civic Monument honoree for 2026 was Travis Dale Jackson.
Born in Wytheville on New Year’s Day in 1957, Jackson graduated from George Wythe High School and Virginia Tech.
As the Executive Director and CEO of the Wythe Bland Foundation, Jackson has guided one of the region’s most influential philanthropic organizations. Under his leadership, the foundation has invested more than $52 million in projects across Wythe and Bland counties. His belief in the power of collaboration and commitment to empowering partner nonprofits have multiplied the foundation’s impact, ensuring that resources are used effectively, equitably, and with long-term community benefit.
In his earlier role as Chairman of the Board of the Wythe County Community Hospital, he was instrumental in the creation of the foundation itself through a strategic lease agreement with LifePoint Inc. He served on the hospital board for 16 years and continues to remain active in an advisory capacity with the hospital.
Prior to his work with the foundation, Jackson served, until his retirement, as the Regional Director for USDA Rural Development, delivering infrastructure and essential community facility loans and grants throughout Virginia. He has identified funding sources for local government and nonprofit agencies that have increased their ability to provide services within the community. Such local transformative developments include Progress Park Industrial Park, the Town of Wytheville Meeting and Wellness Center, the Wytheville Heritage Center, many municipal water and wastewater systems throughout the region and other community facility projects that have impacted fire and rescue, police, and museums. These initiatives have strengthened the economic, cultural, and environmental infrastructure of the community, paving the way for future growth.
In addition to his professional achievements, Jackson has dedicated countless hours to civic service including leadership roles in the Wytheville Rotary Club, Wythe County United Way, Iron Boots Society, Soiree Club, HOPE Inc., Wytheville-Wythe-Bland Chamber of Commerce, Wytheville Community College Advisory Board and numerous others.
He was the recipient of the Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award. He is married to Caroline BeCraft Jackson. They have one daughter and two grandchildren. His extensive record of service reflects a lifelong commitment to improving the quality of life of his home community.
Emma Faulkner, shown during an earlier cross country season, continues to pile up wins on the track, chasing, she says, college times.
Emma Faulkner, shown during an earlier cross country season, continues to pile up wins on the track, chasing, she says, college times.
Wythe County will host a second community meeting on Thursday, April 23, at 6 p.m. in the Rural Retreat High School gymnasium to continue discussions on the proposed Draft Land Use Classification Ordinance.
The proposed ordinance is intended to establish a framework to guide future growth and development in Wythe County while maintaining a strong commitment to private property rights and preserving the county’s rural character. Development of the draft has been underway for nearly three years, led by Deputy County Administrator Matt Hankins in collaboration with the Planning Commission and in accordance with state requirements and best practices.
Public discussion around land use planning has increased in recent years, particularly following the development of large-scale solar projects and broader concerns about future industrial growth.
Under Virginia law, any zoning framework must be a general ordinance applied countywide and cannot be used to regulate a single issue or specific type of development.
The April 23 meeting will follow an informal format similar to the March 30 session. County staff will provide a brief overview of the draft ordinance before engaging directly with residents to answer questions, address concerns, and gather feedback. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in discussion and submit comments for consideration.
Members of the Board of Supervisors and the Planning Commission are expected to attend.
Residents are encouraged to review the draft ordinance, preliminary zoning map, search interactive maps and frequently asked questions in advance at wytheco.org/zoning. Questions and feedback may also be submitted through the website ahead of the meeting to allow staff to prepare thorough responses.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with the presentation and discussion beginning at 6 p.m. All residents are encouraged to attend and take part in the conversation as Wythe County considers next steps.
Following his criminal justice academy graduation, the Marion Town Council celebrated Logan Selfe.
Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, a man who grew up in Fort Chiswell is now the third generation of his family to protect and serve communities through law enforcement.
Logan Selfe just graduated from the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy and is patrolling the streets of Marion under the guidance of his mentor.
His father, Andy, serves with Abingdon Police Department, following a stint at the Smyth County Sheriff’s Office.
Logan said it meant everything to have his dad present last week as he was introduced to the Marion Town Council. He reflected on the gift of presence, saying his dad was also at his academy graduation and pinned his badge on.
Logan celebrated his time at the academy. Despite cold weather and challenges, he cited great classmates and many memories.
The desire to serve in law enforcement is not new to Logan.
Even in his daycare years, Logan said he knew he wanted to become a police officer. He’d always play with the police and security toys.
That desire came, he said, from observing his father and grandfather and seeing their pride in their work.
Logan remembered his grandfather, the late John “Ed” Selfe, a retired game warden, who died on May 17, 2021. The 2021 Virginia Conservation Police Annual Report shared the news of his death and said, “Ed was very highly regarded by everyone who worked with him at DWR…. From everyone at DWR, we are sincerely grateful for Ed’s… service with the department.”
Watching his grandfather get ready for work inspired him, Logan said. “He did it with such pride and honor.”
Ed, who was often a visible presence in Bland County, served as a game warden for 23 years, from 1979 to 2002.
Logan is grateful for second chances. He’d applied to the Marion Police Department once before and it didn’t work out.
When he reapplied, Logan said Chief Kevin Testerman talked him through what he needed to do.
Asked why he gave Logan a second change, Testerman said, “His personality really stands out above others. You can also tell he’s a quick thinker when discussing different topics.”
After the town council meeting, Logan described himself as “blessed and grateful”.
While living in Marion now, Logan grew up in Fort Chiswell. When he is not working, he enjoys outdoor activities, including camping and hunting, and hanging out with friends and family.
Logan is not the only member of his generation carrying on his family’s legacy. He has a brother wrapping up training in the New River Criminal Justice Training Academy and will soon join the Wytheville Police Department.
