Exhibit 32.1


          CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED
           PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANNES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of American National
Bankshares Inc. (the "Company") for the period ending September 30, 2003 as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the
"Report"), I, Charles H. Majors, Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906
of the Sarbannes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material
respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.




/s/ Charles H. Majors
- -------------------------------------
Charles H. Majors
President and Chief Executive Officer


November 6, 2003