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... evangelist Billy Graham.

At 90, the Charlotte native lives in retirement in Montreat, but his long career made him one of the most influential religious leaders in the nation’s history. Called “the Pope of Protestant America” and “pastor to presidents,” Graham preached to millions around the world. In this Bible Belt state, no one is more beloved.

Next after Graham must be Andy Griffith, the folksy Mount Airy native who created an idealized version of small-town North Carolina, lives now in Manteo and appears occasionally in political ads. Even if you don’t agree with his politics, you have to smile when you see him.

Although Graham and Griffith stand head and shoulders above all others, quite a few other North Carolina residents are both highly regarded here and well known across the country. Several achieved fame through sports. This group includes:

Jim Hunt: The four-term governor lost only one election, to Jesse Helms in the bruising 1984 U.S. Senate race, but he bounced back with two gubernatorial victories and remains the quintessential governor.

Maya Angelou: The acclaimed author and poet is a longtime American Studies professor at Wake Forest. She’s also been a singer, actress and civil-rights activist.

Richard Petty: The Randolph County resident is still regarded as the King of stock-car racing. He earns admiration as well for his role in creating the Victory Junction Gang Camp for seriously ill children.

Mike Krzyzewski: The Duke men’s basketball coach since 1980, Krzysewski gained wider esteem for coaching the U.S. national team to Olympic gold in 2008.

Roy Williams: The Asheville native achieved basketball coaching success at Kansas before returning to UNC, where he won a national championship in 2005.

Kay Yow: Not only has the Gibsonville native compiled more than 700 college basketball coaching victories at Elon and N.C. State, she’s showed amazing courage and grace in battling breast cancer for many years. Sadly, health issues are forcing her to step down for the rest of this season. I hope she'll return next year.

Dean Smith: You can’t talk basketball in North Carolina without mentioning Smith, who defined excellence in college athletics.

The next group consists of individuals who might not be named in a survey simply because they’re relatively unrecognized. But they belong in any gathering of most-admired North Carolinians.

Henry Frye: The Greensboro resident was the first black justice of the N.C. Supreme Court, and then chief justice. Earlier in his career, he was elected several times to the state legislature in countywide voting. He still practices law here.

Tony Griffey: The High Point resident is a top talent in the world of opera and starred last year in the Met’s “Peter Grimes.” He occasionally performs in benefit concerts locally.

Hugh McColl: The retired Bank of America CEO and chairman has been a booster of Charlotte business, arts, sports and charitable development for many years.

Nido Qubein: He’s put High Point University on the map in four years as president, following a dynamic business career. Not bad for an immigrant who came to this country with next to nothing but drive and talent.

Julius Chambers: The Charlotte attorney took key civil-rights cases to the U.S. Supreme Court and later led the NCAA’s Legal Defense Fund. His work was so effective, his home and law office were fire-bombed by white supremacists.

A couple of newly elected political leaders, U.S. Sen. Hagan and Gov.-elect Bev Perdue, will join the list if they fulfill campaign promises in the year ahead.

Definitely fallen, however, is former senator and presidential candidate John Edwards. He’s on a list, but it isn’t for most admired.

Thanks for reading. You can call me at 373-7039, email me at dgclark@news-record.com or post a comment here.

Specifically, tell me who you would add to or delete from my list of Most Admired North Carolinians.