PROCTORVILLE — She was the cook everyone was happy to have in the kitchen. That’s why when longtime Proctorville Woman’s Club member Grace Mays had an idea for a special fund-raiser, the club was happy to agree.

That was 20 years ago. Now that fund-raiser is named in honor of Mays, who died July 2007. On Saturday, March 14, the woman’s club will hold its second annual Grace Mays Memorial Spaghetti Dinner.

“The proceeds are used to fund a scholarship to give to a senior at Fairland,” Mary Stephens, recording secretary and ways and means chairwoman, said.

The club hopes to get between $800 and $900 to give to a senior who meets both academic criteria and need.

The spaghetti dinner was the idea of Mays and Betty Edwards, with the goal then to raise money to help make repairs on the clubhouse building.

“She had five children and she enjoyed cooking for her church and her family,” Stephens said. “Everyone enjoyed her recipes. She liked doing it.”

The recipe Mays used for the sauce for the dinners is still used today. When the members get together on the Friday before the event to start making the sauce, Mays’ presence will be missed.

“She was the best cook ever. She would help do dinner for the retired teachers of Lawrence County. Everybody loved Grace’s cooking,” Stephens said. “She was very quiet and was not someone who wanted to be in the public eye. Very humble. A very good worker. She would even work when she didn’t feel like it.”

The scholarship is part of the support the club gives to education, which includes donations to Buckeye Boys State and Girls State.

“We try to help our children,” Stephens said.

Other fund-raisers the club does throughout the year include the upcoming sale of geraniums in time for Mother’s Day and a Christmas time sale of candies.

The clubhouse is also available for rentals for parties, showers and wedding receptions. For more information on rentals, contact Sharon Jack at 886-8745.

The spaghetti dinner is from 4 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children under 12.