Meet the Neighbors: Dr. Valencia Andrews-Pirtle
In honor of the Mississippi County Juneteenth Celebration, we would like to introduce you to committee member Dr. Valencia Andrews-Pirtle, health officer for the Mississippi County Health Department. With a big heart for community service, she is always finding ways to give back and make a difference. Whether working with local youth or spending time with her family, Dr. Andrews-Pirtle brings warmth and dedication to everything she does.
She and her husband, Dr. Stephen Pirtle, live and work in Blytheville. They have two daughters: Kennedy, who attends the University of Memphis, and Drew, who attends the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Let's get to know her a little better:
Q: Where are you from?
A: I was raised in San Diego, California.
Q: Since you’re not originally from Mississippi County, what brought you here?
A: We wanted to be close to family. My husband has a lot of family in Memphis, Jackson and Brownsville, Tennessee.
Q: What do you do for a living?
A: I am a physician, recently retired from clinical work. Presently, I am the Mississippi County Health Officer.
Q: What do you do for fun in Mississippi County?
A: For fun and fulfillment, I work with the youth of the O. C. Shivers Girls Club and The Junior Achievers Boys Club, coaching orations. The youth have performed several plays that I have written. These youth are supported by the Blytheville Social Arts Club (BSA), which belongs to the National Association of Colored Women’s Club (NACWC). I also enjoy spending time doing community service with the Blytheville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Giving back to the community is a special type of fulfillment.
Q: Where do you like to eat in Mississippi County?
A: Mae’s Grill and Olympia, both in Blytheville
Q: Favorite meal in Mississippi County?
A: Mae’s catfish plate and Olympia’s Hawaiian steak
Q: What are some of your favorite things about this area?
A: Peace and quiet: I love the early morning bird sounds. The county is not overly populated, so when we have big events like festivals, it’s like a giant family reunion, seeing friends and neighbors!
Q: What does a typical Saturday look like for you?
A: My Saturday usually includes doing genealogy research for several hours, club meetings for Blytheville Social Arts Club and get-togethers for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Recently, I’ve spent a lot of time working on the upcoming Mississippi County Juneteenth Celebration.
Q: What’s something that might surprise people about Mississippi County?
A: The Indigenous artifacts that can be found and are on exhibit at the Delta Gateway Museum.
Q: Anything else you want people to know about Mississippi County?
A: We are close to everything but far enough away to experience nature’s beauty.
