Over this past weekend, God saw fit to take Trixie Averill back to Heaven. Trixie was best known as a local legend of GOP politics in the Roanoke Valley, and was one of my predecessors as GOP Chair of the 6th Congressional District. This job she held for a short time.
Dwayne Yancey of Cardinal News said it best about Trixie in an article on the 25th. He said and I quote:
“Go to a reception packed with 50 Roanoke Valley Republicans (or Democrats, for that matter), and a candidate who didn’t know any better might think the most important people are the businessmen and other officeholders in gray suits who want to talk to him about the issues. But a smart campaign manager knows that an endorsement from the housewife with a shoebox full of telephone numbers and time on her hands to call them all is worth more in a nomination fight than a roll call of names at the Shenandoah Club.”
For any Republican looking to win statewide since the early 90’s, Trixie was the go to person to ensure a win in SW Virginia and the Roanoke Valley. As much as anyone, Trixie was responsible for George Allen winning the Governor’s race in 1993. Trixie was an activist’s activist, saying that “if you don’t get involved at the grass roots level, you don’t have cause to complain”…. So many people don’t understand that by the time you go to the polls on Election Day, all the major decisions have been made”.
And to quote former Governor George Allen, If there was a Virginia Republican Hall of Fame, Trixie, the GOPGirl – would surely be a first ballot inductee.
From State Senator Dave Suetterlein (SD4): Her candidacy (House of Delegates) and service as both Roanoke County Republican Chair and Sixth District Chair coincided with her helping five consecutive candidates secure contested Republican gubernatorial nominations.
Trixie was admired, respected, and feared by all who either were on her side or up against her. Anyone who went up against her Rolodex was more than likely to lose. Trixie died from the affects of dementia.
Visitation will be held from 1-3 PM and 5-8 PM May 29 at Oakey’s Vinton, and her mass will be noon Thursday at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Roanoke.
Heaven is enriched on this day. And we mourn the passing of the GOPGirl, Trixie Averill.
I remain
your servant
JM
