Some Virginians say "Everybody loved him" and "He never met a stranger" are not fact-based

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He never met a stranger

Virginians have some long-standing traditions related to what to say when people die. When you read an obituary or attend a service, you will likely read or hear someone say one of two things or both about the dearly departed.

The deceased will be described as having never met a stranger and being loved by everyone. " Never" (not ever) and "Everyone" (every person) are absolutes and all-inclusive. Never met a stranger implies an individual treats everyone like a friend.

The dictionary defines a stranger as someone you are not familiar with. Teresa J. from Southside, Virginia, says every human on the planet has met someone who was strange to them, and we all have those we don't get along with. She added that saying the deceased "never met a stranger is not true.

Everybody loved him

Garrett H. from SWVA says no one on earth is loved by everyone. Michelle P. from SWVA says you need to be with the dearly departed every second of every day to know their encounters, how they felt about others, or what others thought about them.

Shelly E. from Central Virginia said the Bible says not everyone loved Jesus, so how can anyone make this claim about others?