“Gone but not forgotten” is a phrase frequently used to describe our feelings for people who have made a special impression on us during their time on Earth.

However, in too many cases it is simply a convenient statement to place on a tombstone, and unless the deceased is a close family member or friend, “gone but not forgotten” isn’t something observed in our daily lives in great abundance.

Strangely, that can particularly be the case with well-known figures such as elected officials or even athletes who fill a prominent role in the public eye one minute only to be forgotten the next. For example, a high school football star might be the big man on campus for a couple of years, but the minute he graduates and another standout comes along the next fall, few remember him.

Someone who is elected to office often suffers the same fate. An individual might be a tireless public servant for years and do much to help the community, but after leaving office it’s usually not long before he or she fades from our consciousness.

Much of this is rooted in the way human beings are wired. Unfortunately, we tend to have an attention span of 15 seconds and are simply too preoccupied with the present and foreseeable future to think, or care, much about the past.

People are always worrying about their own selfish comforts and petty concerns, such as making sure they have tickets for the big game on Saturday or that they’re equipped with the latest style of cell phone. They’re generally much too busy with these important matters, of course, to pause for even a moment to remember those who are no longer around.

As a genealogist, it really irritates me when folks don’t take time to research their ancestry or to even care that someone else has bothered to do so. People will proudly bounce a new grandchild on their knee without considering or appreciating the fact that they (or the grandkid) wouldn’t even exist at all had it not been for great-great-great-grandfather Jebediah who lived 150 years ago.

But, thankfully, such conditions of neglect or forgetfulness will NOT be the case with Emily Taylor, the former mayor and city commissioner in Mount Airy who died this past week. Every time anyone sets foot on the Emily B. Taylor Greenway, they will be reminded of Emily’s existence and the large contribution she made to local recreation during her service in city government.

There are large signs with her name in big letters at each entrance of the greenway that stretches from West Lebanon Street to Worth Street along the course of Lovills Creek. These signs will remind any walker, cyclist or runner who’s able to read that this fine recreational facility was named for Emily. And as long as it remains, the memory of her will be intact as well, and it is equally reassuring that Emily had several years to savor that recognition which came earlier this decade.

This honor was much deserved for a woman who frequently butted heads with her fellow officials over the need for adequate public recreation programs and facilities to serve citizens — at a time when doing so wasn’t cool. Because of Emily, some fine parks exist around town and it was through her urging that Mount Airy eventually embraced the idea of a municipal recreation program, a move that was resisted for years.

Mount Airy officials and those involved with such decisions on the state level generally have done a good job of remembering public servants and others who have made great contributions to the community. For example, the bridge that crosses Lovills Creek at the U.S. 52/601 intersection — not far from the greenway — is named for the late W.M. “Maynard” Beamer, another former mayor and commissioner who served Mount Airy with distinction for some 40 years.

Meanwhile, the Andy Griffith Parkway runs past the greenway and across two bridges over N.C. 89 which are named for Detective Monroe Boggs, who was fatally shot in the line of duty at that location. Next month, Donna Fargo will be remembered with the designation of N.C. 103 in honor of the Grammy-winning singer who grew up along that route.

While some appearance purists locally and elsewhere might be concerned about more signs cluttering up the highway because of such honors, they represent one of the best methods available to ensure deserving individuals have the permanent recognition they should.

Tom Joyce is a staff reporter for The Mount Airy News. He can be reached at tjoyce@mtairynews.com or 719-1924.