I‘ve always had a love for Seay Milling in Dillwyn. The smell of the inside of the old store, walking across the concrete floor, seeing the tools on one end of the building and baloney sandwiches on the other have always made my heart happy.

I visited Seay Milling a few weeks back, and it wasn’t the same. Shirley Seay’s car wasn’t parked out front close to the building like it normally was. When I walked into the store up to the counter, I didn’t hear “Hey, son,” or “Hey, shug,” as she would often greet me.

She wasn’t sitting in her office chair in front of a large portrait of her beloved husband, Abner, petting one of the many cats that she loved so dear.

That’s when it dawned on me that Seay Milling — and Buckingham County — would never be the same without Mrs. Seay.

Mrs. Seay died a few weeks ago after being ill for a long time. I, along with the community, know Mrs. Seay is in a better place and is now in great health, but there’s no doubt that her absence is causing pain to many, including me.

My favorite thing about Seay Milling has always been the people.

Though Mrs. Seay is no longer with us, through her beloved family and staff, her spirit will always be present through the kindness and compassion shown by the customers and staff.

JORDAN MILES is managing editor of The Farmville Herald. His email address is jordan.miles@ farmvilleherald.com.