I had the unique privilege of working alongside Frank for many years—starting in 1991, I was involved in his campaigns and later served as his Legislative Assistant from 1994 to 2006. I also had the chance to wear many hats: bookkeeper for his furniture store, campaign treasurer, and family babysitter, just to mention a few. Through all these roles, I got to know Frank in ways few others did.

I first heard about Frank when my dad returned from a Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors meeting, raving about Frank’s talent with numbers and his understanding of the county budget. My dad was spot on—Frank truly had a gift with numbers!

Before long, I found myself attending local Republican committee meetings with my father, where Frank and I served as officers together for years.

What I admired most about Frank was his unwavering humility. In a world where many elected officials seem to let power go to their heads, Frank remained grounded and approachable. He genuinely loved serving the people and communities he represented, always striving to find solutions that improved their lives.

Frank’s journey in the Virginia House of Delegates began in 1994, and his first bill aimed to create the Tobacco Heritage License Plate. He thought it would be a straightforward piece of legislation, but it unexpectedly made national news when anti-smoking activists claimed it promoted smoking. The true intent was to honor the heritage of tobacco farming in Southside Virginia, a legacy that his wife Jessie Ruff still proudly drives around with the very first Tobacco Heritage plate issued.

Frank’s contributions to economic development and workforce training in our region were truly remarkable. His work with the Tobacco Region Revitalization Commission, which he chaired until his passing, and his involvement with the Center for Rural Virginia are just a couple of the many highlights of his career. The positive changes he brought to rural Virginia will be felt for generations to come.

Last Friday, over fifty state officials gathered to pay their respects at Frank's funeral, a testament to the profound impact he had on his colleagues throughout his career. Among those in attendance were the current governor, two former governors, U.S. representatives, current and retired, and many current and former members of the Virginia Senate and House from both sides of the aisle. Though he was a reserved servant, Frank’s influence extended far and wide.

While I could go on for hours about Frank’s accomplishments, it’s crucial to mention how deeply he cherished his family. Having seen many sides of him, I can say that they were the true joys of his life. His time with Jessie, their children, and grandchildren was what he valued most. One of the last things he told me was that he wasn’t afraid to die; the timing just wasn’t right. He just wished he had more time to spend with the ones he loved – especially his grandchildren.

Isn’t that a wish we all have? Let’s take a lesson from Frank’s final wish: never take a moment for granted with those you love.

I have been told more times than I can count that I have big shoes to fill since being elected to fill Frank’s seat in the Virginia Senate. I surely will never fill Frank’s shoes, but he knew me well enough to encourage me to run, endorse me, and mentor me for years so that I would be ready for the job. Frank did not accomplish all that he did in a day or even one term in the state legislature; he worked hard over thirty years to achieve great things. I hope you will be patient with me as I work diligently to carve a better life and opportunities for our region in the coming days and years.

As always, my team and I are here to assist you with any questions or concerns. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at 434.374.5129 or via email at [email protected].