Lloyd Haynes

Southern West Virginia lost a bright light just before Christmas.

Lloyd Haynes was the former mayor and city administrator for White Sulphur Springs. But those titles didn’t do justice to the deep respect Haynes earned from his community. People adored him, because he was kind, effective, and attentive.

His smile could light up a room. His memory was immaculate. His warm demeanor was calming, especially in the midst of difficult situations.

In 2016, he guided the city as mayor through recovery even as he grieved the death of his own wife. That’s the type of person he was. A servant-leader who believed in treating people with dignity and respect. In return, people loved and respected him everywhere from his church to local businesses to city hall.

Haynes died at the age of 85 just before Christmas. He leaves a legacy of compassionate leadership, which will live on in the people and town he molded for the past five decades.

They don’t come any more real than Lloyd Haynes. He epitomized authenticity and as a result was one of those rare people who could walk into any room with any group of people and find common ground. When Lloyd shook your hand and looked in your eye, you always knew he was telling you the truth in love.

With grateful hearts having lived with and learned from Lloyd Haynes, we are proud to name him as the certified Real West Virginian of the Week.

If you have a nomination for a future week, email us at news@therealwv.com.