Actor Robert Duvall, the Oscar‑winning star of films including “Tender Mercies” and “The Godfather,” died at the age of 95 at his home in Middleburg, Virginia, on Sunday.

At a small cafe in Fauquier County, the memories of the late actor are flowing as easily as the conversations he used to spark there.

In Marshall, Virginia, the Hollywood giant was known worldwide, but to locals he was simply a familiar face who often stopped in the Old Salem Cafe for comfort food and good company.

Donna Armstrong, the cafe’s co‑owner, said Duvall often came in for lunch with the people who worked on his farm.

“He used to come in there with his farm hand with and treat him to lunch. Very kind man,” Armstrong said.

She recalled the first time she approached him for a photo, and how easy it was to strike up a conversation about local people and history.

“We talked about some of the locals and some of the things that have happened in the past. Some of the things that he knew, I can’t really discuss them, but he knew a lot, that’s for sure,” Armstrong said with a chuckle.

“The first time I wanted to go approach him, I was like, ‘is he the type that you can go up and approach and ask to have a photo with?’ And absolutely, he was. He was amazing,” Armstrong added.

One memory that stood out for Armstrong was when Duvall wanted to meet Henry Green, an orchard owner in Hume, Virginia, who lived to be 103.

“Robert Duvall was like, ‘I would really like to meet that man.’ And I thought, now this is really something,” Armstrong said.

She arranged the meeting, and said Green was thrilled.

“Oh, my goodness, Mr. Green was so excited that he got to meet Robert Duvall and shake his hand,” Armstrong said.

Despite his fame, Armstrong said Duvall never acted like a celebrity.

“Most of the time, if you met a movie star or somebody as big as Robert Duvall, you’d be nervous. No, it was not like that at all,” Armstrong said.

She remembered how approachable he was when she worked up the nerve to ask for a photo.

When asked about Duvall’s favorite orders, Armstrong said he liked the Reuben, patty melt, and hamburger steak — “just your normal comfort food.”

She also recalled his quiet generosity, including when he took part in a fundraiser several years ago to held to help a chef that was ill.

“He was a generous man,” Armstrong said.

The news of Duvall’s death, she said, devastated their cafe family.

“I couldn’t believe it … it was devastating. It was hard,” Armstrong said.

For Armstrong, Duvall’s legacy is simple: one of humility and kindness.

“Just your regular, down home guy that was rich and famous,” she said.

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In just three weeks, Virginia voters will have the chance to start casting ballots in a special election on a constitutional amendment to redraw the commonwealth’s congressional districts.

Two groups have already formed: Virginians for Fair Elections, which is trying to win approval for the amendment, and Virginians for Fair Maps, which is pushing a no vote.

“I’m going to fight this by any means necessary,” said Jason Miyares with Virginians for Fair Maps and former Republican candidate for Virginia attorney general.

Opponents had hoped the courts would block the special election, and a lower court did. But Friday, after an appeal to the Virginia Supreme court, the election is allowed to move ahead.

Representatives from Virginians for Fair Elections say redrawing the congressional districts, which would give Democrats a huge advantage in the midterms, is needed to counter Trump’s efforts, which have added GOP districts in red states.

“There is a general desire to meaningfully push back and speak up, and this is giving voters an opportunity to do that,” said Keren Dongo with Virginians for Fair Elections.

Dongo is helping to lead the effort. She says in many ways, it will resemble a traditional candidate campaign with outreach that extends even to door knocking.

“There is no principal face of this campaign,” Dongo said. “It really is Virginians, so it’s people speaking up at their book club or at their community meetings and saying, ‘This what I’m doing, this is what I’m involved in and here’s why.”

The measure’s opponents say they too are ready to battle it out to try to convince Virginians the amendment is an unprecedented power grab.

“We’re ready to roll,” Virginia House Minority Leader Del. Terry Kilgore. “We’re getting our folks together and we’re going to make a case to Virginians that this is unfair, this is unprecedented and quite frankly it’s against the law, we believe, and we’ll ultimately win in court.”

But political analyst Bob Holsworth says with the current political climate — especially in Virginia — the “yes” vote campaign starts with an edge.

“I think the Democrats begin with an initial advantage largely because I think they are going to try to make this one more referendum on Donald Trump, and at least in Virginia, there has been a big appetite for that right now,” he said.

The special election is set for April 21, but early voting starts on March 6. That adds an intensity and urgency for each campaign to both educate voters and let them know how quickly they need to act to weigh in on a measure that could create new maps.

Even though the Virginia Supreme Court gave the special election the green light, they still have to weigh in on whether the process of setting it up is legal — but that won’t happen until after the special election. So even if voters approve the amendment, the court could still have the final say.

STERLING, VA. – Firefighters battled a house fire on the 20400 block of Broad Run Drive in Sterling on Sunday afternoon, with heavy flames and smoke reported from the roof when crews arrived, according to Loudoun Fire Rescue. 

Fire burns at home on Broad Run Drive in Sterling

What we know:

Emergency crews arrived at the home just after 4:15 p.m. and found heavy fire and smoke coming from the roof, according to authorities. A Rapid Intervention Task Force and Tanker Task Force were requested to help fight the fire and support operations shortly thereafter, with multiple fire and rescue units working together to control the fire and keep the area safe. 

Firefighters worked to contain the blaze and warned the public to expect emergency vehicles and crews in the area for an extended period. Residents nearby were advised to stay clear of the area, authorities said. 

What we don’t know:

Authorities have not released information about possible injuries, the cause of the fire or the extent of damage to the home.