Re “Rep. John Lewis, a lion of the Civil Rights Movement and ‘conscience of Congress,’ dies at 80,” Free Press July 23-25 edition:

When Rep. John Lewis of Georgia died, I watched television day and night as the many friends, politicians and famous people spoke of his greatness. I enjoyed listening to them all.

I would like to speak as an ordinary person to tell how Congressman Lewis also touched our lives with his braveness and perseverance and how proud we were of him.

I met Congressman Lewis in 2005 when he visited our town of Farmville. I was mesmerized listening to him tell about how he lived as a child. His voice will stay with me forever.

Later, I had an opportunity to talk and take a picture with him. Our conversation was as though we had always known each other as two ordinary people, not as an icon and an ordinary person. I asked him how I could purchase his book, “Walking With the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement,” and he replied, “I will mail you one.”

Within a few days, I received his book — autographed.

I will always remember him as an icon and an ordinary man with character. What a combination!

RITA ODOM MOSELEY

Farmville