A vacancy on the Beaufort County Board of Education left by the passing of board member Barbara Boyd Williams will be filled during a special meeting of the board scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 8.

Williams served on the board for nine years representing District 3, which includes Belhaven and northeastern Beaufort County. She was first appointed to the board in March 2009 to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of board member John White, and subsequently won reelection in 2012 and 2016. She passed unexpectedly on June 17.

In a series of articles highlighting board of education members in 2016, a Beaufort County Schools article describes Williams’ character and passion for serving the county’s youngest citizens.

“Williams is very compassionate about the children of Beaufort County, not just the ones in her district but countywide,” the article states. “She wants each and every child to get the best education, from the little ones in pre-K to those in high school getting ready for the workplace or college. That caring attitude has been the drive to make her want to continue as a member of the board of education even after her first and second terms expired.”

Williams was honored with a moment of silence and fond words from her fellow board members during a special meeting of the board on June 27.

During the board’s July 31 meeting, Pastor Marian Barrow, of Belhaven First Baptist Church, informed the group that a celebration of Williams’ life will be held at White Plains Church Ministries at 6 p.m. on Friday. The church is located at 748 Edward Street in Belhaven.

The board of education will conduct interviews with the two eligible applicants for the District 3 seat during the Aug. 8 meeting before making a decision. Under North Carolina state law, the person appointed to the position will serve out the remainder of Williams’ term, which expires in 2020. The meeting is open to the public.