Eastern North Carolina Living - January 2022

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We cover the places you know & love and the places you should go & love!

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HERT FO R D

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FEATURES

74. ALL IN A DAY’S TRIP

76. BIOGRAPHY

Visit the Norht Carolina Zoo

Meet Dr. Geniene Jones

ON THE C OV E R

Tyrrell County Schools Superintendent Oliver Holley

VOL. 14, NO. 1 JANUARY 2022 STAFF & CONTRIBUTORS

80. GRANDMA’S KITCHEN

Cook for your pet

84.

VIEWS

High School basketball

Publisher

Staff

Kyle Stephens

Leslie Beachboard

kstephens@ncweeklies.com

lbeachboard@apgenc.com John Walker john.walkernc@yahoo.com

Editor

Brandice Hoggard

Thadd White

bhoggard@ncweeklies.com

twhite@apgenc.com

Andre’ Alfred aalfred@ncweeklies.com

Layout & Design Becky Wetherington beckyweth@gmail.com Michelle Leicester

86. GRACE & TRUTH The One you should know

88. MARK IT!

mleicester@ncweeklies.com

The beginning of 4-H

Tyler Newman tnewman@apgenc.com Editorial Contributors Sandy Carawan Sarah Davis Sylvia Hughes Gene Motley

Photo Editor

Lewis Hoggard

Jim Green

Deborah Griffin

jgreen@ncweeklies.com

Emily Wells Donna Marie Williams Meghan Grant

Advertising Executives

Robert Kelly-Goss

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90. PARTING SHOTS

Remembering Joe Edwards

Eastern North Carolina Living Magazine P.O. Box 69, Windsor, NC 27983

Chris Taylor

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Eastern North Carolina Living is published by APG Media Eastern NC, and is a subsidiary of the Bertie Ledger-Advance, Martin County Enterprise & Weekly Herald, Tarboro Weekly and Rocky Mount Telegram.

7

GR E E NE

Zebedee Shepard Following God’s path Story by Donna Marie Williams Photos by Donna Marie Williams & Contributed

D

riven

Bishop

“I know it was the Lord that sustained

“It was required that I attend church and

Zebedee Sheppard has dedicated

by

me through the year to be a solution in

that I attend Sunday School. At Easter time,

his

my community - to make an impact in my

we were part of the Easter programs and we

community,” Sheppard said. “I never could

had to say our speech,” Sheppard said.

life

his to

passion, serving

God,

his

community and those in need.

With his determination, Sheppard has

have imagined building something of this

It was in his younger years that Sheppard

created a lasting home for many in and outside

magnitude right here on a main thoroughfare.

learned the Lord’s Prayer - that scripture has

the Greene County community through the

I’m honored to be able to serve and to be a

resonated with him throughout his almost 59

founding of Victory and Dominion World

part of this community.”

years of life.

Outreach, located at 1438 U.S. 258 Snow Hill.

Sheppard’s walk with the Lord began at

“When I was growing up, they always

While his efforts have earned him acclaim

a young age when as a boy he would attend

impressed upon us to learn certain scriptures.

and numerous awards - such as the Presidential

church with his mother. A Greene County

The Lord’s Prayer, having learned it and the

Volunteer Service Award - Sheppard remains

native, Sheppard was born in Snow Hill and

23rd Psalm, had an impact on me. My mom

humble crediting his success to God.

raised in Maury.

encouraged, and the church encouraged, we

8

say it. When I say it, it would always have an impact on my life,” Sheppard said.

He continued, “I think it served as a connection between me and God. God used that as a hook when I was a young kid and it always kept me.”

As time moved on, Sheppard grew in his relationship with God and his desire to serve Him intensified.

“When I was a teenager, the Lord impressed upon my heart to follow him.

That’s exactly what I did. Around the age of 15, I devoted myself to church and the Lord,” Sheppard said.

To know his calling at a young age, was a rewarding experience for Sheppard, but it did not come without its struggles, he said.

“It was very different. I was a teenager dealing with all the peer pressure and things of that nature, but I really believed it was destiny.

I know that it was destiny. I was destined to do what I’m doing now,” Sheppard said.

obey God.” As God was also calling Sheppard to shift his direction, He was also calling Sheppard

call to build a larger sanctuary and what is the current location of Victory and Dominion World Outreach.

“As a result, I’m thankful for the direction I

back to his home in Greene County. In 1992,

Eight years after the completion of the new

took as a teenager. I never once regretted it. I

with his wife Suzanne by his side, Sheppard

sanctuary, Victory and Dominion added the

never missed those things (my friends) called

opened Victory Fellowship Center on Hwy 58.

Unity Foundation Community Development

fun. Some of those things were deadly or harmful.”

“The Lord said, ‘I want you to come back to

Center, a family life center, allowing Sheppard

Snow Hill and start a ministry and hold up the

to further another mission of his from God assisting the youth.

Sheppard remained fast in his conviction,

light.’ He gave me a scripture - Matthew 4:16

graduated from Greene Central High School

- The people which sat in darkness saw great

“I had a vision for the youth and making

in 1980 and then attended Lenoir Community

light and to them which sat in the region and

sure the young people had a safe place where

College for a short time. He would later go on

shadow of death light is sprung up. He said I

they can come and play sports, hangout, play

to receive a doctorate of Divinity from Central

want you to hold up the light. I want you to be

games, hang with friends at a safe location - it

Christian University and from St. Thomas

a light. I want you to become a place where

was weighing on me,” Sheppard said.

Christian University.

people can come from all around,” Sheppard

HIs career began as an evangelist where Sheppard spent 10 years preaching the gospel up and down the east coast.

said.

“Our job is to make sure the youth are not left out and that they are cared for. That they

“I hadn’t thought about Green County

are trained in what it means to be a Christian,

sitting right in the center of surrounding

what it means to follow Christ. What their

“I loved just traveling and preaching. I loved

counties - Lenoir, Wayne, Pitt, Wilson. We

purpose and destiny is. I believe that the

it when I was evangelizing. I could be one

have people that come from all around.

sooner they can discover or come with an

today, if the Lord would allow it,” Sheppard

We got members from all the surrounding

understanding that you were here on Earth

said.

counties. I couldn’t have thought of this

for a particular design purpose - God had a

myself,” Sheppard said.

particular use for you.

Near the end of the 1980’s, Sheppard felt a shift and felt God was leading him in a different, more structured direction.

“The Lord impressed upon my spirit to go

The church on Hwy 58 was humble in size

“As soon as they can get that in their hearts

and quickly reached its potential, Sheppard

and minds, I believe it will help to act as a

said, adding it was a sign from above.

bridge or trap to help them remain focused,”

into pastoring. In 1992, I obeyed. I spoke to

“Almost immediately we could tell the

he continued. “It will help them understand

my wife about what the Lord was pressing on

Lord had called us to do this because of the

that I’m not just here to cause trouble. I’m not

my heart to do and the transition from the

support we received and the people that

just here to live loose. I actually have a divine

Evangelist part of my ministry to the pastoral

began to come. We quickly outgrew the size

purpose. I’m predestined to fulfill something.”

part of my ministry,” Sheppard said. “My wife

of it,” Sheppard said.

was very supportive and encouraged me to

Seven years later, Sheppard received the

Equipped with a full court gymnasium, stage, classrooms, exercise and computers

9

rooms, the Family Life Center serves as a multipurpose building for the church and community, he added, stating the site has been used by Greene Lamp for training, and as a voting site in the past.

But for Sheppard, the ministry has never been about the size of the building in which he preached, but rather the outreach. For more than 30 years, since beginning at the humble church on Hwy 58, Sheppard has reached far out into the community and world spreading the gospel and showing the goodness of God’s love.

“The Lord had let me know that this location would be somewhat of a headquarters for other ministries and missions and that I would be reaching and impacting people in other nations of the world. For 30 years, we’ve

church. That’s never been me,” Sheppard said,

Despite his hard days and accumulation of

been doing just that, reaching people in other

adding he never wanted to be a preacher that

volunteer hours, Sheppard has never worked

nations of the world with the gospel of Jesus

just handed out business cards.

a day in his life. This is because Sheppard’s

Christ. We support missions in various parts of

“I believe that your impact at your presence

the world. We are heavily involved as we are

should be felt. What really tells if you are

“I get joy from it. When a person connects

locally with feeding those that are struggling

making an impact is would they miss us if we

with their life purpose, it automatically

and dealing with issues,” Sheppard said.

were not here. I believe the local community

produces joy and fulfillment,” he said. “When

would miss us if we were not here,” Sheppard

you do what you were wired to do, what you

said.

are born to do, I believe there is a satisfaction,

“We reach out to missions around the world where there is pain, need, hunger, thirst.

work brings him joy.

I’ve taken supplies, clothes to a number of

Through his years as a pastor, Sheppard

a joy, peace that comes with it. I said this a

churches in Africa. I’ve had the opportunity

has risen to the consecration into the office of

couple days ago on a virtual Bible study. I

to go and serve and preach and provide

bishop and was commissioned as an apostle

often say, your job is what you are paid for, but

resources,” he said.

by his spiritual father, the late Apostle Paul A

your purpose is what you are made for. Your

Thomas.

purpose is what you are born for. Once you

Victory and Dominion hosts a food bank the second and fourth Tuesday of every

“Bishop is an elevation in the call and

month, feeding on average between 300 and

responsibility of ministry. The Bible talks about

500 customers each month. It’s commitment

if a man desires the office of a Bishop, he

Having received the Presidential Volunteer

to feeding the hungry has earned the church a

desires the good work. But also, in Ecclesiastes,

Service Award in October for his dedication to

“Decade of Service Milestone Certificate” for

it relates to promotion and it relates to the

his community, Sheppard was honored and

the years 2010 to 2019 from the Foodbank of

responsibility in ministry, the Bishop is one

humbled.

Central and Eastern North Carolina.

lock into your life's purpose it’s not a job then.

It becomes a joy to do.”

of the higher callings. When one becomes a

“That gives me joy and fulfillment and a

The church has also served as a site for

Bishop he is not just a pastor or supervisor over

sense of satisfaction to know that I just wasn't

disaster services following major events in

his church, but he becomes then a supervisor

here making trouble. God used a no-name

the past years and the congregation is always

of several or many churches,” Sheppard said.

to help really make a difference and provide

willing to open its doors, Sheppard said.

“Bishops oversee, supervise, make sure the

resources to be an instrument that will really

The church also hosts food, coat and blood

church is healthy and make sure the leaders of

help others - of all walks of life of all races,”

drives and offers an after school program and

those churches have what they need in order

Sheppard said.

summer enrichment program for local youths.

to proficiently govern, pastor and minister to

It also offers classes and enrichment seminars

their flocks,” he said.

for adults including financial seminars.

“That makes me feel good. I feel great about that. Nothing makes me feel better

In his years of service, Sheppard has helped

than knowing that my life makes a difference

“We try to make sure we are hands on.

to start numerous churches around the world,

- this ministry makes a difference,” he closed.

Whatever the pressing needs are, we try to be

including a second Victory and Dominion

Donna Marie Williams is a former Staff

a part of the solution. I never wanted to just sit

World Outreach in Goldsboro. As Bishop, he

Writer for The Standard and a contributor to

or just come in and say I’m going to talk to the

personally oversees four churches.

Eastern North Carolina Living.

10

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11

Pa s q uo ta n k

David Bane

God. Life.You and Me. Story & Photo by Robert Kelly-Goss

W

hen David C. Bane Jr. sits down to write

difference,” Bane said. “I heard a lot of sermons and I would

a sermon or pen one of his numerous

ask myself, ‘so, what?’”

columns or essays, he asks himself one

simple question: “So, what?”

He says the Rt. Rev. Milton Crumb played a key role in shaping his career. Crumb was a mentor who taught Bane

It’s a question, Bane — a retired bishop of the Episcopal

that the secret to giving a good sermon was connecting

Diocese of Southern Virginia — says has informed his work

with people early on, establishing that what you’re sharing

over the years, and is now at the heart of his recently

is a part of your heart and soul, not something you’re

published collection of sermons and essays, “God, Life,

preaching at them.

You and Me.” “A sermon should try to change someone’s heart,” says Bane.

Bane’s new career path would take him from West Virginia to New Hampshire, then to Ohio and finally to Norfolk, Virginia, where he would serve as bishop. As a

Bane’s path to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church

parish priest, Bane developed personal relationships with

wasn’t straightforward. While his father was an Episcopal

each of his congregations, and as a bishop, he would help

priest, Bane left the church as an adult to pursue a

guide 125 churches.

career in business and earn a master’s degree in business administration.

But the businessman who also had become a husband and father of four wasn’t satisfied with his path. Bane said he knew he had to return to his roots in the church.

Over the years, whether as a parish priest or as bishop, Bane said he tried to keep the focus in his sermons on what matters to “you and me.”

After Bane retired as bishop, he moved to Elizabeth City where some of his children were living at the time. He

Bane was 40 years old and living in West Virginia

says he would fill in as a priest at various churches in the

when he says he finally listened and accepted God’s call

region, as well as contribute to the Christ Episcopal Church

to become a priest. With the blessing of his wife, Alice, and

newsletter.

their children, Bane would earn a divinity degree from the Virginia Episcopal Seminary in Alexandria.

That’s when he began cultivating his approach to preaching the Christian gospel.

“When I went back to church, I wanted to make a

12

It was that newsletter that led to a long-running column in The Daily Advance, and it was the column that led to his book, “God, Life, You and Me.” Bane’s written work addresses the many issues people deal with on a day-to-day basis. He uses his own

experiences, tying them to the Christian

human love will always have a few holes

to someone’s life and provide them food for

gospels and Jesus’ teachings not only to

in it. In Jesus, God loves us perfectly and

thought.

provide inspiration, but also as a practical

completely, no holes, no games, no ego

“I’m pretty hard on myself,” Bane says of

guide to life.

issues, no inconsistencies, no dishonesty and

his writing. “If it’s clear that there’s not a point

no conditions.”

to the sermon, then I go back to it. I’m trying

In his essay titled, “Loneliness,” for example, Bane addresses the issue of not

In writing his sermons and subsequently

feeling loved despite the fact, he says, that we

his book, Bane says the question, “So, What?”

are all loved by God.

was always at the forefront of his mind. He

“Throughout our lives,” he writes, “we

says the objective in all his sermons and

will love and be loved by many people, but

writings is to have the subject matter apply

to make it so it matters to people.”

Bane’s book is available through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Robert Kelly-Gross is a first-time contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

13

14

A deep sense of service

Tony Bennett

NA S H

Story & Photos by Deborah Griffin

P

irate football, a meticulously brewed

Optimist Club, which was formed to help

stew and a top-secret seasoning mix

children, and offer scholarships.

served 20 years on the town’s Planning Board.

The Bennetts are active members of the

became the common ground from

This morning’s batch was being made in

Red Oak United Methodist Church. Before

which lifelong friendships were forged for

memory of the man who started it all, Henry

COVID-19, they would do three “cookings” a

Tony Bennett and his wife, Martha, in Nash

Edmundson, who died in 2017.

year to raise funds for the church’s ministries.

County.

His daughter, Kelly Tyndall, faithfully

The secret formula, (which includes chicken

These friendships would ride the waves of

guards his secret recipe under lock and key

and beef) also has a particular order in which

the good times; and sustain the couple during

- which seems to fuel demand for the Nash

things are added to the pot. The method has

their darkest, most unfathomable, hard times.

County stew.

people clamoring for more.

Tony grew up in the Salem community where he played basketball and fell in love with a cheerleader from the nearby Red Oak community, Martha Stephenson.

Married in 1967, the couple has lived in Red Oak over 50 years, where they raised two children, Bill and Michelle.

“We’ve been together since we were 15,” laughed Martha on a frigid, mid-January, early Saturday morning. The friends had gathered at the Bennett’s barn to brew yet another pot of the famous stew.

Stirring the mixture with long wooden

“We are trying to keep Henry’s legacy going,” said Tony.

Decades ago, Edmundson began the tradition of cooking his special recipe at his home, serving neighbors and friends.

The stew is delicious, but it is the friendships it has forged Tony values the most.

Twenty-six years ago, on Valentines Day 1996, the Bennett’s world was shattered.

They lost their 23-year-old son, Bill, in a

Its popularity exploded when he cooked it

horrific vehicle crash just minutes from their

for East Carolina University football kick-off

house, as he and a cousin were beginning to

parties and while tailgating.

exit off I-95. An 18-wheeler plowed into them,

“People kept wanting it, so he had to keep making more and more,” Kelly said.

This batch will yield around 180-quarts, already sold. Some customers order 20 quarts at a time.

jack-knifing their truck and trailer, pushing them into a ravine. Only Bill’s cousin and the driver of the tractor-trailer survived.

After all these years, Bennett’s emotions are still raw.

boat paddles in a 40-gallon LP Gas-fueled

Tony said when they cook the stew for

“How do you go the rest of your life not

pot, the group reminisced about how the stew

fundraisers, they load three giant cooking vats

seeing your child?” he asked, humbly, without

continues to be the tie that binds them, and

to the brim and sell up to 770 quarts, which

a hint of bitterness. “You lose the joy and glee

how it has knit the community tighter.

can yield as much as $6,000.

that you had before.”

Over the years, the special elixir - their

Although he lived through unimaginable

The Bennetts said their daughter, Michelle,

version of Brunswick Stew - has allowed

hardship, Tony is a man who believes in paying

Bill’s older sister, gave them focus and purpose

Bennett and friends to touch the lives of

things forward.

to keep going during tragedy.

people in ways they could never imagine.

Besides simply tasting good, the stew has

“If everybody would do that, this world wouldn’t have so many problems,” he said.

“We were so blessed to still have her,” Tony said.

helped raise thousands of dollars to help fund

He has a deep sense of service to his

They now have two granddaughters,

ministries for area churches and other non-

community. He has served as Red Oak town

Caroline and Savannah, who live with their

profits, including the Rocky Mount Evening

councilman since 2008. Prior to that he

parents, Forrest Knowles and Michelle, in

15

Wake Forest.

Tragically, another couple in this tight group lost their daughter, who was close to the age Bill was at the time of his death, only six years ago.

Alice and Steve Crickmore said the Bennetts have been their rock.

The couples gather on the days their children died.

“We talk about the kids all the time,” said Alice. “And it helps.”

“I hope we have been an inspiration to them – to know they can go on for 25 more years,” Tony said.

His wife, Martha said, “When it first happens, you don’t think you can live until the next minute.”

Alice interjected, “You don’t want to live the next minute.”

happens to you.

“You hear about [someone losing a child],

Nodding, Martha continued.

but you don’t let yourself dwell on it because

“You go from minute-to-minute; then

it is such a terrible thought,” he said.”

hour-to-hour. Then you go day-to-day. Then, you have good days and bad days,” she said.

His brother tragically lost a 12-year-old son in an accident while at a neighbor’s home.

“Bill would have been 49 this year,” said

“That was nine years before we lost Bill,”

Martha. “You wonder how his life would have

he said. He said they were ill-equipped to

been. You think about how much they missed.

help his brother through the grief – until it

You might laugh, then feel guilty. Then you cry

happened to them.

because you feel guilty. It’s a feeling you just cannot describe.”

But Tony describes it better than anybody, Martha said.

“He said, ‘it is like a sore, which eventually scabs over. Then, the scab is torn off and it

“We got through it,” said Tony. “It’s been a struggle - but we are getting there. Our church helped us; our friends helped us and supported us.”

That is why the Bennetts are determined to help others through hard times.

forms another scab; then it’s torn off again.

The Bennetts don’t feel they are defined

Eventually, it doesn’t form a scab. It forms a

by Bill’s death, but said they have been shaped

scar. And the scar is always there.’ It never goes

because of it.

away,” she said. “It is something you never get over.

“We’ve adjusted - we’ve learned to live with it - but you never get over it,” she added.

The couple refuse to turn their backs on this inconceivable pain.

“His death has helped us become who we are,” Martha continued.

“Your whole life changes,” added Tony.

At the time of his death, Bill had been the

“I think it helps you realize how precious life is,” said Tony.

The Bennetts don’t want recognition for some of the good things they’ve done to help others.

But a few of those things bear the name Bill Bennett.

“We just want him to be remembered,” Martha said.

They honor Bill by keeping a mile-anda-half of roadway cleaned up and mowed through the Adopt-a-Highway program.

And they have donated things, such as a church van; and bought the naming rights at the adult ball field at Ennis Park in his name.

Serendipitously, the park was named after W.B. “Bill” Ennis, Tony’s high school basketball coach.

“We named our son Bill after him,” said Tony. Now Bill’s name graces one of the ballfields at the park named for his namesake.

Also, because of the Bennett’s generosity,

youngest lieutenant and EMT at the Red Oak

bells chime out every day at noon from the

Volunteer Fire Department.

humble Red Oak United Methodist Church and can be heard throughout the community.

Alice added, “They have been our best

“The guys at the fire department - some

grief support. They were there the minute

of his best friends - went to the wreck that

They also play before church on Sunday,

day,” said Martha. “It affected the whole

and ring out on special occasions, such as

“People were there for us,” Tony said.

department. They embraced us. And, his

holidays.

“When Alice has bad days, we talk. We

classmates – some we didn’t even know - see

Deborah Griffin is a freelance writer and

went through the same thing. We couldn’t ask

us and say, ‘You’re Bill’s mom and dad, aren’t

photographer in Eastern North Carolina and a

to have better friends,” Martha added.

you?’ So really - we are defined by him - [not

regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina

his death].”

Living.

they found out.”

Tony said it is unimaginable - until it

16

. . . this and so much more.

visitSuffolkva.com

#visitsuffolkva 17

MA R T IN

Briley Bickerstaff

Winning the race, winning life Story by Jim Green Photos Contributed

B She

riley Bickerstaff is one of the most

But as successful as Bickerstaff has

18-year-old Bickerstaff, a senior at Riverside

celebrated student-athletes in the

become, it was less than five years ago that

who recently won the Female High School

history of Riverside High School.

she faced enough adversity in athletics that

Heisman award for North Carolina.

has

won

numerous

athletic

championships and awards, including a state title in track this past year, has broken school records (and her own) repeatedly in track and cross country, and is a model student and active member within her school and in the community.

18

would have prompted others to quit.

She nearly gave up cross country and track for another sport. Why? You could call it stage fright, or performance anxiety.

“I wasn’t going to do it. I was going to play tennis. I didn’t like cross country, it was a lot of work and it made me uncomfortable physically and mentally,” she said. “I had this anxiety of coming across the finish line in

“I only ran two races (cross country) in

front of a large group of people – it made me

middle school and finished one,” said the

uncomfortable. I couldn’t stand up in front of

“I trust in the hard way, for little has come to me except in the hard way.”

- SENATOR BOB DOLE (1923-2021)

people. I know it sounds crazy, but I had stage

to an inauspicious beginning. She completed

could deal with the elements, the pain and the

fright.”

her race at the Pam Pack Invitational as an

discomfort and overcome all of those things

eighth grader and threw up at the end.

and be a successful runner.”

After going to a tennis practice her freshman year, Bickerstaff had her mind made

“That was the last I saw of her until she ran

Bickerstaff said, “When I came around

up. But after talking with her mother and

for me as a freshman,” Cagle said. “(Her other

that curve and I saw a bunch of people, I

receiving encouragement from someone who

race), she would literally get on the starting

stopped. But he (Cagle) encouraged me and

would become her mentor as well as coach,

line, they fired the gun, everybody would take

I trusted him. I finished that race, and then it

Mark Cagle, Bickerstaff decided to give cross

off running and Briley would walk over to her

became easier and easier every time I did it.

country another try.

mom and dad.”

To this day I trust him that he will always be

She went from the high 30s to mid-24s in her times her freshman season.

Cagle said she worked really hard over the summer.

straightforward with me. He has so much faith in me – if he says I can do it, I can do it.”

“I never really thought I would ever be

At a meet in Roanoke Rapids during her

good,” she said. “I was just proud of myself

freshman season, Cagle stood behind Briley

transformation. Bickerstaff wanted to be a

for crossing the finish line and I saw the

and pushed her when the gun sounded.

voice for change at her high school, so she

improvement.”

Bickerstaff then went out for track,

“She took off running and I thought this was a victory,” he said.

improved there (“I had fun,” she said) and

Later in the race, Cagle waited for her at

spent time over the summer working hard to

certain points but didn’t see her until about

prepare for her sophomore season.

100 yards from the finish line.

Her

success

in

athletics

started

a

became involved with student government and has been a treasurer as well as parliamentarian.

“I got involved because I really wanted to be a voice for everyone at the school and

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit,

“I told her when you come around this

contribute to improving the school for all of

suddenly Bickerstaff – whose life was filled

curve, there will be about 250 people,” he said.

the students,” she said. “I got really connected

with structure (school, athletics and a job) –

“She started shaking. I told her I would never

into the school and wanted to be part of

found herself with a lot of free time.

lie to her and said she was going to finish the

a change, so I decided to find the time to

race and we’d move forward from here.

balance that and community service with my

“I spent a lot of time running while everything was on lockdown,” she said. “I needed something to do.”

Cagle started working with Bickerstaff in middle school and knew she had the tools to be special.

“I put my hand on her back and we ran, and

academics and athletics.”

I watched her go through the shute and I was

Bickerstaff has been a graduation marshal

there at the end so she could see a familiar

as well as a member of the National Honor

face,” he said.

Society and the Homecoming Court. Some of

Cagle saw a change in her that day.

the projects she’s worked on include planning

“I knew she was going to be good,” he said.

“From that point forward, she showed me

dances, helping design senior T-shirts and

However, her cross country career got off

she was as tough as could be,” he said. “She

working with the Homecoming committee.

19

Bickerstaff is also involved with Special Olympics as a volunteer as well as the Dare to

to COVID. What

has

athletics

been

about for her?

Read program, where they hold

“I am constantly trying to push

fundraisers to buy books for

myself, especially for someone

schools in Martin County.

who, at one time, would give up

She has also helped put

the minute I felt uncomfortable,”

together and deliver food boxes

she said. “Something changed

over the summer to people in the

my freshman year. I realized I

county.

was a lot stronger than I thought I

“I little

love

helping

improvements

make in

was; I could do a lot more.”

my

A perfect example of that was

community,” she said. “I love to

recently against Franklinton in

see the kids happy in Special

indoor track. She was on pace to

Olympics and delivering the food

run the fastest time she’d ever run

boxes because I know it’s helping

but then thought about slowing

some people.”

down because she wanted to.

The High School Heisman

“I didn’t. I pushed through,”

Scholarship award was a pleasant

she said. “The fun thing about

surprise to Bickerstaff, who was

running is that it pushes you

the female winner for the state.

mentally and physically because

She was nominated by RHS

it takes a lot of mental toughness

track coach C.P. Pointe based

to work through the mental block

on her participation in athletics,

of pushing harder even when you

her standing academically and

don’t feel like it.”

her leadership capabilities in her

Bickerstaff

has

not

yet

school while serving as a role

decided on her future. She has

model for underclassmen and

received interest academically as

others in her community.

well as athletically from several

“It was such an honor to be

colleges in the state.

nominated by him,” she said.

Bickerstaff said she would

“When I found out I was a high

like for her legacy at Riverside to

school winner, I thought it was

be someone who overcame the

pretty cool. Then when I found

odds.

out I had won at the state level,

“I hope I have helped everyone

When people think about me, I

students, teachers and staff at

want them to say she did it with

the school and hasn’t let success

all odds against her, so I can do it.”

go to her head and become

The aforementioned quote

And while many may have

Cagle’s favorites and he said that

given up, Bickerstaff is an example

applies to Bickerstaff.

of the adage “I didn’t come this

“To be a successful runner, you have to embrace adversity because your legs and lungs are

I thought it was cool, but when I

achieve

was told they only chose one boy

mentality, although I came from

and one girl throughout the state,

nothing because of my anxiety,”

I was like ‘What? Me?’. I am still in

she said. “I struggled so bad there

disbelief. It’s hard to think about

were people who didn’t think I

to this day.”

would ever be a champion at

uncomfortable. Not many people

school

anything, let alone something

are willing to do that, but Briley is

records in the 1,000-meter run

that involved people watching

because she’s embraced the pain.

(indoor season), the 1,600 (indoor

me.

Bickerstaff

owns

a

championship

arrogant.”

by the former senator is one of

on fire, and you run in the heat, cold, rain and wind to accomplish a goal. To pass the person in front of you, you have to make yourself

“She

can

handle

the

far to only come this far.”

“There are definitely times when it’s hard to juggle all of this stuff, and I have really been stressed but I don’t think there was a time I ever thought about giving anything up,” she said. “I am not one of those people with a giving-in mentality. Whenever something difficult comes up, I

and outdoor), the 3,200 (indoor

“My legacy is that I want

spotlight now, which is part

like to push through it and find a

and outdoor), the three-mile

everyone to think they can do

of the transformation I have

solution rather than giving in to

run and the 5K. She is currently

something even if they feel like all

seen in her,” he continued.

the urge to quit.”

running indoor track and playing

odds are against them. All odds

“The competitiveness and the

Jim Green is Sports Editor of

were against me and I still turned

leadership

she’s

the Rocky Mount Telegram and

outdoor track during the spring if

out to do some pretty good

gone through has just been great

a regular contributor to Eastern

there isn’t another shutdown due

things,

to watch. She is well liked among

North Carolina Living.

basketball and will compete in

20

with

encouragement.

development

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21

P e r q uima ns

Charles Woodward

Riding the wave high Story & Photos by Tyler Newman

F

ifty years ago, Charles Woodard first

“The Godfather” and the Oakland A’s beat the

a scoop of old school hand-dipped ice cream.

held the keys to his own pharmacy.

Cincinnati Reds in seven games to win the

The usual pharmacy customers dart in and out

World Series.

after saying their hellos and picking up their

Since then, he has stood watch

from behind the counter as hundreds of

A lot has changed since then.

thousands of patrons have come and gone

But at Woodard’s, things have stayed

All the while, Charles Woodard could

over the decades.

orders.

mostly the same. The idea of a small town

be found behind the counter, calmly and

Yet, he always remained.

drugstore and fountain that was once a

methodically running the show. Refilling

Nestled in the heart of historic Hertford is

staple of Rural Americana holds steady at the

prescriptions, answering phone calls and

junction of Church and Market.

greeting old friends.

Woodard’s Pharmacy. Situated at the corner of Church and Market streets, it has stood as

The pharmacy’s hallmark sign hangs high

The pharmacy has become a sort of

an iconic landmark of Perquimans County, as

over the Church Street sidewalk, welcoming

gathering point, not just for locals, but for

well as a testament to Charles Woodard’s own

all who take just a minute to venture into

visitors to Hertford as well; tourists and

dedication.

bucolic Hertford, where time moves a bit

curious eyes who journey off of U.S. 17 long

slower.

enough to find a gem tucked away in a quiet

Woodard himself, a native son of Hertford, took over ownership of the store in 1972, opening for business on Jan. 2.

Around mid-afternoon in the autumn, one can find everyone from the high school

river town, a place which itself holds so much storied history.

In 1972, the No. 1 song was “American Pie”

quarterback to sheriff’s deputies wandering

Everything from greeting cards to vitamins

by Don McLean, the most popular film was

through the door, looking for a cold drink or

to handmade goods and locally produced

22

items are found on Woodard’s stocked

He also spent a lot of time with close

shelves, saying a lot about Hertford without

friend, Jimmy Hunter, known in baseball lore

so much as speaking a word.

as “Catfish,” but to locals like Charles, he was

One January evening, sitting down in a back corner booth of his pharmacy’s fountain, Woodard told his tale.

just Jimmy.

The pair were part of a winning high school football team in the 1960s and kept

Growing up in Hertford, he was a graduate

their friendship alive through the decades

of Perquimans County High School, where

until Hunter passed away in 1999 after a

he played – and won – on the football team

hard fought battle with ALS.

coached by his father.

“We’d go pheasant hunting, we would

During that time, Woodard said that his

go down and play golf tournaments. We

dad – who had a background in education

always had a good time together,” Woodard

– urged his children to seek possible futures

said. “I remember when he signed with

elsewhere.

the Yankees, the team would call us at the

“He told us to look at something other than education,” Woodard said, thinking back decades. “So I decided to go into pharmacy.”

Woodard found his way at the University

pharmacy and I would call Jimmy and ask him if he wanted to talk to them or not.”

Woodard then lamented for a moment: “The trouble with getting older is that some of us disappear too soon.”

of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a fact he

“Charles would always let Jimmy go

is proud of to this day. Adorning the walls

down to the pharmacy and sign baseballs,”

of the pharmacy are dozens of pieces of

said Helen Hunter, widow of Jimmy. “The

memorabilia from Chapel Hill and Tar Heel

proceeds from the balls would go to the

athletic programs. Treasures from the past.

Lions Club. Charles still helps us with the

To further illustrate that point, Woodard

ALS Walk and is the treasurer of the Jim

can usually be seen wearing his UNC class

Catfish Hunter ALS Foundation. He’s always

ring on his right hand.

willing to help with anything.”

On the left, a golden wedding band. A

When Woodard first reopened the

symbol of the years devoted to his wife,

Hertford location – now called Woodard’s

Harriette.

Pharmacy – in the 1970s, he said that nearly

“I’ve been married 52 years,” Woodard

70-hour work weeks were the norm in order

said. “I graduated in ‘69, got married in ‘69

to provide for his family. That came with

and got my license in 1970.”

drawbacks, however.

“It doesn’t feel like it’s been that long

“I don’t have many regrets in the

though,” he continued. “My plan was once

business, but I do regret how I did not have

to retire at 55. I had built a house and gotten

as much time to watch my family grow as I

some farmland. My wife now asks me as a

would like,” he said. “A lot of ball games and

joke: ‘what happened?’”

dinners that I missed out on because we

Woodard, who celebrated his 75th

didn’t close until about 7:00 each night.”

birthday in 2021, said that he plans on

Woodard pointed out a portrait of his

continuing as a pharmacist a bit longer, as

family that he keeps hanging behind the

long as his health holds up.

counter. While the piece is quite a few years

Before it became known as Woodard’s

old now, he said it often recalls him to those

Pharmacy, the building at the corner of

long workdays, where he would glance over

Church and Market streets was known as

and remember what he was working for.

Harmon’s Pharmacy. Woodard said that he

Family.

worked there a bit during college, before transitioning into a more full-time position.

That same family has a history in the pharmacy business. Woodard’s brother,

During this period, Woodard spent many

uncle, numerous cousins and now his

days interning with the Mitchener family of

daughter all work or worked as pharmacists

pharmacists in nearby Edenton.

at one point or another.

The idea of a small town drugstore and fountain that was once a staple of Rural Americana holds steady at the junction of Church and Market.

23

“As long as I can remember, my dad has

like marching band or football, what have

opened – who still arrives almost every day

been a fixture in our community,” said Dabney

you,” Nelson said. “This speaks pretty highly of

for one thing.

Scaff, Woodard’s daughter. “Growing up

his character.”

he taught us what it meant to serve others.

Brooke

Suermann,

“I have a few customers who are still here who

worked

for

from the beginning. One lady comes and gets

From late night or Sunday calls for people

Woodard for eight years, began her time at

a pimento cheese sandwich almost every

that needed medication or advice, he always

the pharmacy while still in high school. She

day, stays for an hour and chats with folks,”

happily obliged by taking that call or meeting

has nothing but praise for him and his work in

Woodard said.

them at the pharmacy.”

the community.

“You’d be hard pressed to find someone

said,

“He was the best boss I’ve had and

from Perquimans that doesn’t have fond

encouraged her to follow her father’s footsteps

probably will ever have; he’s amazing to work

memories of going to the drugstore,”

into the family business.

for,” she said. “I recently started working as

Suermann said. “I feel lucky to know him.”

That

community

spirit,

Scaff

“By watching him, at an early age, I knew

a pharmacy technician, something I never

Woodard said that he thinks the reason

that I wanted to be a pharmacist,” she said of

would have considered for myself if it hadn’t

for his continued success against encroaching

her dad. “I would like to thank him for not only

been for his guidance. I learned so much from him, not only about the business, but also life.”

corporate pharmacies is a combination

what he has done for me individually, but for what he has meant to our town. He has given

Besides Suermann, at least 12 other former employees of Woodard’s have gone on to

his very best every day for 50 years.”

Along with being a pharmacist, Woodard also moonlights as a county commissioner for

work in the pharmacy business.

Other employees, both past and present, have stayed on even longer. Linda Bundy, who

Perquimans, now in his second term.

“Many days he goes to [commissioner]

plans to retire on Feb. 11, has worked under

meetings after working 10 hours that day,”

Woodard for over 47 years, almost as long as

Scaff said.

the man himself.

As county commissioner, Woodard serves alongside his good friend Wallace Nelson.

“He touches people’s lives,” Nelson said of his old friend. “He is very fair-minded as a

Jennifer Byrum, who worked at Woodard’s for over 10 years, said that both Bundy and Woodard always went out of their way to help others.

commissioner, very level-headed. He works

Byrum also said that she met so many

well with everybody and has a heart for the

folks from within the community just from

community. He also participates in civic

being active at the counter every day.

activities and at his church, Hertford Baptist.”

“I think the pharmacy has been a hub of

fame

activity for the town of Hertford. People

throughout town to be in part due to his

from every location in the county and other

generosity and kindness towards others.

counties come to this pharmacy for one

Nelson

attributed

Woodard’s

“I’ve seen him help so many people having

reason or another,” Byrum said.

of nostalgia with personability. He also suggested

that

the

pharmacy’s

vintage

ice cream offerings may play a role in the longtime popularity of the store.

“I’m not going to go down as a good pharmacist, I’m going to go down as the ice cream man,” Woodard joked.

He continued: “People aren’t just a number here though, compared to corporate stores.

They’re known. As soon as they walk in we get their prescription ready to go, so they feel important. I make myself as accessible as possible to them.”

However,

even

Woodard

himself

acknowledged that one day, when he is gone, the pharmacy will change hands.

Reflecting on that, he said that he is satisfied with how his career has gone.

“I’m happy with what I’ve done. I may not have pleased everybody, but I did what I

a rough time, whether they have a sickness

Despite repeated and ongoing closures of

could,” Woodard said. “I try to help those who

or have a terminal illness. I know he is never

Hertford’s S-Bridge for construction – severing

come in and are sick with not much to give.

looking for any kind of recognition,” Nelson

its link to neighboring Winfall – patrons have

You don’t go to heaven on your works but I’ll

said. “In the community, anything that comes

still traveled extra distances just to stop in.

at least go home feeling like I did what I could

up, I’ve seen him desire to help, that’s why

“A lot of that has to do with the one on

everybody knows him. They know he tries to

one service they can trust. It is also a meeting place of sorts, especially for the gentlemen

contribute and help people.”

to help people.”

He then looked around the pharmacy for a moment.

Woodard’s

in town who come to talk about sports or

“But, I’ve got three kids, a decent home and

longstanding tradition of hiring high school

politics,” Byrum said. “The senior citizens love

accomplished more than I thought I could. I’m

students, typically around the time they get

to come eat lunch there and socialize. So do

not as invincible as when I first started, but I’m

their driver’s license, to give them a steady job.

the high schoolers.”

riding this last wave high,” he closed.

Nelson

also

pointed

out

“He hires young folks and gives them

Woodard recalls one of his longest

Tyler Newman is a Staff Writer for the

an opportunity to work a job, he’s very

customers – who walked through the

Chowan Herald and Eastern North Carolina

cooperative with them to participate in things

pharmacy door around the time he first

Living.

24

25

T YR R E L L

Oliver Holley A well-educated life Story by Deborah Griffin Photos Contributed

O

liver Holley had no desire to pursue

not let anybody slip through the cracks.”

needs] it.”

a career in education when he

Holley was no stranger to Tyrrell County,

Holley and his wife, Natasha, have two

graduated from Northeastern High

having grown up across the Albemarle Sound

children – a 12-year-old son and a 7-year-old

in nearby Pasquotank County. His father took

daughter.

School in Elizabeth City almost 25 years ago.

His whole family – his parents, both sets

him bear hunting in the marshy backlands

“My son loves fishing the rivers and streams

of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins

of Tyrrell and surrounding counties, instilling

of Eastern North Carolina. I am blessed to be

had all taken that route, most having invested

in him an appreciation for the outdoors -

able to teach him at an early age to appreciate

more than 30 years in the lives of children.

especially Eastern North Carolina outdoors.

everything we have in this area,” Holley said.

“I didn’t want that,” the Tyrrell County Schools Superintendent said.

Now, he can’t imagine life outside of education.

“I know one thing, regardless of a title, I am going to be helping children in education for the rest of my career,” he said.

Tyrrell County Schools is the second

The counties they hunted (Gates, Hyde

Holley met Natasha at Elizabeth State

and Tyrrell) are some of the poorest in the

University, where he reluctantly attended,

state; but are known for their abundance

after his dream of either joining the United

of sizable black bear, some of which are the

States Marines, or becoming a State Trooper,

largest in North America.

fell through.

Though an avid hunter, he admits this year he killed his first, solo bear.

But, hunting for him is not just a sport.

He

majored

in

English

and,

after

graduation, was recruited to teach in Bertie County Schools.

smallest school district in North Carolina, but

“I was taught at a young age - anything you

has a higher graduation rate (92 percent) than

go out there and hunt, you consume and don’t

the state average (87.2 percent).

waste it. We process everything. Anything the

“The kids just did something to me. I loved

“That is a testament to our teachers and

Lord allows us to harvest, the meat goes to

seeing that lightbulb when it went off. I loved

guidance counselors,” said Holley. “They do

my family - or any other family that wants [or

the challenge – every day was not the same.

26

Holly’s first year in the classroom changed his heart about education.

Many of those kids I still keep in contact with,”

Master’s

he said.

Doctorate in Educational Leadership.

in

School

Administration

and

Holley said when he first got to Tyrell County, he realized all the teachers and

“It is a beautiful thing. I think every

He held positions throughout eastern

students needed brand new digital devices,

educator understands that feeling - you never

North Carolina, which include Director of

“not knowing we were about to have a

forget your students; seeing them become

Afterschool Programs, Dean of Students,

pandemic upon us - where we would need

successful citizens - and the joy it brings. I

Behavioral Intervention Specialist, Curriculum

those devices. God aligned the stars for us to

haven’t looked back,” he added.

Instructional Specialist, Assistant Principal,

be able to have them,” he said.

Some of those first students included Jessica Breland, who plays in the Women’s National Basketball Association and Kent

Principal and Chief Human Resource officer.

He said some of the positions pulled him away from students.

Bazemore, who plays for the Los Angeles

“I realized I missed the kids,” he said.

Lakers.

He became Superintendent in 2018, a year

But once COVID hit, “we were faced with the challenge of how to do remote instruction with us being so rural,” he added.

Outside a one-mile radius of Columbia, internet is spotty.

“I’ve got kids that are doctors, educators,

and a half before COVID-19 struck - which

“How could we keep our kids connected

truck drivers - some of those kids are principals

presented educational challenges he and the

knowing the digital divide is real in Tyrrell

now. It has come back, full circle. We are all

rest of the world could never have imagined.

County?” he asked. “One of the first things

products of Eastern North Carolina,” he said.

Holley stayed at Bertie County Schools three years and was mentored by several leaders, who took him under their wings.

“It makes for an interesting school year,” Holley said dryly.

we did was turn all of our school campuses into public Wi-Fi hubs. We placed picnic

“Nobody knew what to expect. But,

tables around some of the campuses so that

because of the hard work of the staff, we were

individual students and staff could sit around

“I credit that team for pushing me - driving

credited as one of the first school districts to

and utilize the Wi-Fi code.”

me to want to become superintendent,” he

roll out remote instruction and food delivery

said. “They - the teachers, custodian, cafeteria

immediately after the shutdown,” he added.

workers – all gave me the idea I could do this.

That was over 20 years ago.”

Through the years, Holley earned his

Every child was sent home with a digital device the Friday before the shutdown, which was announced in mid-March of 2020.

Other challenges he faces come from being the second smallest school system in the state. (Hyde is smaller.)

“Our county commissioners do everything they can to support the school system.

27

Because we don’t have industry in Tyrrell, and

students dually enrolled in high school and

most of our economics are based on farming,

college courses,” he said.

we don’t have a big local budget,” he said.

Despite the challenges, students stay in school.

“I’m partial to this area. We need to do everything we can to help our younger kids

Holly’s pathway in education seemed

understand [the value of] living in Eastern

practically predestined. His mother (Marlene

North Carolina,” he said. “We need to figure out

Holley) retired from 35 years of service in

“We have a very dedicated staff that goes

the public schools. His father, Pedro Holley,

over and beyond to make sure our kids don’t

worked at Elizabeth City State University

go without,” he added. “Teachers stay after

for 33 years. His grandfather Andrew “Salt”

school to help families.”

Williams was a teacher, coach, assistant

ways we can support this newer generation the way some of us were supported coming up.”

An advocate for equality, he wants “to

Holley said one of his priorities is providing

principal and principal in Elizabeth City Public

make sure all of our kids have the same access

as many educational opportunists to the

Schools. His grandmother was an elementary

to quality education - regardless of what their

students as possible.

teacher for over 30 years. He has an aunt and

family’s last name is - regardless of where they

an uncle that both worked in Portsmouth City

live.

“We have kids that are on track to go to college - but we have kids that are not

Schools.

going. We have to make sure we are offering

He said he learned from his paternal

programs that allow students to be ready to

grandparents that everybody’s job in the

go into the workforce,” he said.

school system is equally important. His

Tyrrell County has partnered with Beaufort and

Pitt

community

colleges,

offering

programs in Career and Technical Education.

Eighty-four

percent

of

high

school

students take advantage of dual enrollment.

“We have been recognized for the past two years for having the highest number of

28

grandfather worked as a janitor and his grandmother as a cafeteria worker, both over 30 years.

“I think a kid in Tyrrell needs the same opportunities as a kid in Pitt County, or in Edenton or Kinston,” he insisted. “We need to prepare them. This is our future. We need to do everything we can to make sure they will be successful, productive citizens later in life.”

“They taught me everybody is important

Deborah Griffin is a freelance writer and

in this district’s success,” he said. “It doesn’t

photographer in Eastern North Carolina and a

matter about your title.”

regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina

Holley enjoys seeing others succeed.

Living.

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252-217-3938 Mary Anne Corey Crowe, Brokere Office: 252-792-3141 Home: 252-792-3565 Fax: 252-792-4569 maccro.maryanne@gmail.com 118 West Main St. Williamston, NC 27892

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Paul Roberson Jr. Broker-in-Charge REALTOR® Office: 252-792-2300 Cell: 252-217-5364 Fax: 252-792-5200 Web: www.roanokerealtyteam.com Email: paul@roanokerealtyteam.com Mail: PO Box 8, Williamston, NC 27892 Office: 118 W. Main St, Williamston, NC 27892

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118 West Main St. Williamston, NC 27892

118 W Main St. Williamston, NC 27892

29

P IT T

Melinda Sampson

Making a difference daily Story by Ariyanna Smith Photos Contributed

A

s a child, Melinda Sampson didn't spend much time thinking about her future.

“I spent a long time as a kid wanting to be

a transient. I just wanted to travel, I didn't care about money or anything really,” she said.

and I wanted to be better off,” she recalls.

“Farmworkers aren’t always treated well.

After one semester in the program, she

You know that by how our society addresses

knew she made a mistake and decided to

them and the areas that they live in. I wanted

pursue her true interest, journalism.

to see what was behind that,” she explained.

A few years later, Sampson graduated from

For her piece, Sampson visited several

ECU with a Bachelor of Art in Communication,

migrant farmworker camps located in Wilson,

She enjoyed writing and was an avid reader,

concentrating in Print Media. She began her

Wayne and Lenoir counties. She found the

but it wasn't until she came across a biography

journalism career as a reporter at a local

workers were afraid of their employers,

of Dr. Ruth Gruber, a famed American

newspaper where she wrote about current

living in poor conditions and unable to leave

journalist and author who documented the

events and topics that were impacting the

the worksite freely. She had unwittingly

lives of displaced Holocaust survivors and

communities she covered.

uncovered a human trafficking operation that

prisoners in Soviet labor camps, that she started thinking about her future.

“I wanted to be a foreign correspondent, but that didn't work out,” she jokes.

Sampson

graduated

from

Farmville

Central High School in 2004 without a solid career plan.

In 2004, Sampson enrolled at East

Sampson also wrote feature stories for

was exploited migrant workers for their labor.

Eastern North Carolina Living magazine

“I couldn't shake their stories. I couldn't

during her career. These were some of her

stop thinking about the exploitation. Then I

favorite stories because of how involved she

realized that some of the women I had spoken

became with her subjects.

with that suffered from substance abuse

“I enjoy talking to people and hearing their

disorder were likely victims of sex trafficking

stories. I believe it is an honor to be tasked

as well. All the lights went on,” Sampson said.

with telling someone’s story,” she said.

Her research for her article led her to a

Carolina University in Greenville. Despite her

Years passed and Sampson had risen

course called Human Trafficking 101 hosted by

love for storytelling, she decided to enroll

to leadership positions at newspapers in

an advocacy agency called NC Stop Human

in the Business program hoping that would

Belhaven, Williamston and Goldsboro.

Trafficking. The course explained what human

guarantee her financial stability.

“I was rolling in with tons of student loans

30

In 2014, she got the idea to delve into the lives of local farmworkers in her community.

trafficking is and what it looks like.

The information presented in the course

confirmed the farmworkers were caught in a

In 2020, the National Human Trafficking

artisans who are paid fair wages. This project

labor trafficking scheme. She compiled her

Hotline ranked North Carolina ninth in the

is meant to help people spend their money

research, interviews with the workers and

nation for reported human trafficking cases.

thoughtfully.

photographs of the site and submitted her

She

article, but it was never published.

legislation, conducts training to educate

pushes

for

anti-human

trafficking

Around this time she began feeling

people about sex and labor trafficking, and

discontented and unfulfilled with her career

organizes with other agencies to provide

as a journalist.

victim assistance and address the needs of

“I was always chasing that byline and patting myself on the back for all the work I

vulnerable populations.

Because

traffickers

primarily

Sampson asks, “If you are living in the United States, you probably aren’t earning a living wage. What choice do you have but to buy a shirt made by someone who is being exploited?”

target

She hopes the project will make people

had done, but that didn't satisfy me anymore.

marginalized

Sampson

think about the unintended consequences of

I couldn't keep going about my day. I knew I

advocates improving the material conditions

rampant consumerism. Profits from the market

had to do something different,” she said.

of vulnerable populations to make them less

are funneled back into the organization’s

susceptible to manipulation.

community education programs.

Sampson decided to send her resume

populations,

to the advocacy agency that produced

“We can stop victimization before it starts

the introductory course. Pam Strickland,

through education, access to affordable

the founder of NCSHT, was looking for a

housing, food, and addressing poverty,”

Community Outreach Coordinator when she

Sampson said.

received the application. She took a chance

The advocate also believes conscious

on Sampson and hired her despite having no

consumerism is another way to combat this

advocacy experience.

issue.

Through her work with NC Stop Human Trafficking, Sampson hopes to build a safer and more equitable society for future generations. “When you look at the scope of it, it can be overwhelming but if everybody does their part, we can help so many people.”

As the Community Outreach Coordinator,

She is especially proud of the Fair Traders

Ariyanna Smith is a Staff Writer for The

Sampson is tackling the high rates of human

Project, a marketplace operated by NCSHT

Daily Reflector in Greenville and Eastern North

trafficking.

that sells products made exclusively by

Carolina Living.

31

HYD E

R.S. Spencer Jr.

A lifelong quest for history Story & Photos

by Sandy Carawan

T

o say that R.S. Spencer Jr. has

of Hyde County dates to his early youth when

their conversations and typing it on an old

documented more than a million

he would listen to his family tell stories about

typewriter, but also read books and The State

facts about the history and

their people.

magazine to further bolster his knowledge

heritage of Hyde County is unlikely to be an exaggeration.

A lifelong resident of Engelhard, R.S. is the

about North Carolina history.

son of Romulus Sanderson (Tony) Spencer

His early inspiration motivated him to

He could be compared to a detective who

and Elizabeth Leigh Baum, both parents

write a paper about the History of Engelhard

is on a quest to uncover the missing evidence

with ancestral lineage deeply rooted in Hyde

to 1900 for his Civics class at the age of 16.

needed to unravel an enduring mystery.

County.

Ever since then, as the idiomatic phrase goes,

For the majority of his life, R.S. has

“My maternal line (Baum) was very close-

committed himself to searching through

knit and visited nearly every Sunday. They

abundant amounts of records ranging from

talked and I listened,” R.S. said.

Bibles, births, marriages, deaths, estates, deeds, wills, census, military service and

He has traced his Baum maternal lineage to Abraham on the sand banks by 1711.

the rest is history.

R.S. graduated from East Hyde High School in 1959 and what was then East Carolina College in 1963 with BS degrees in history and English.

pension records and other miscellaneous

“My father was born in 1885 and had a

Throughout the years, he has used his

items to document, study, evaluate and

keen memory until his death in 1973. I have

unique interest not only to create enduring

compile the facts to be responsibly shared

notes from numerous talks with him,” he said.

works of notable importance, but he has also

He has traced his Spencer paternal lineage

inspired others to create valuable historical

with others.

Influenced by both of his parents, and

to Thomas (died 1736).

projects.

intrigued by family stories, R.S. said his interest

As a young genealogist, R.S. not only

From 1963–1964, R.S. taught history at

in the historical and genealogical preservation

interviewed older citizens, writing notes from

Engelhard High School. Then, from 1964–

32

1976, he taught World Geography, World

provides a closer look at what the final scene

Studies, Civics and English grades 8–12 and

will be.”

coached boys and girls junior varsity basketball

The “final scene” in such work, of course, is an ongoing, tedious project that commands

at Mattamuskeet School.

As a teacher, he built a local history and

much commitment and love to which

genealogy class into his curriculum in which

R.S. devotes about 30 hours a week in his

he established the standards for the grades,

extensive library.

but his students decided what grade they

“Over the past seventy years, I have

wanted based on the number of assignments

collected information that fills the 15 filing

and projects they completed.

cabinets and 15 bookcases that I have reserved

“Students received credits for interviewing

for history,” he said.

a senior citizen, bringing family Bible records

At age 81, R.S. is as busy as ever. While he

to school to be copied that day, copying

is the owner of R.S. Spencer, Inc., a Do It Best

information in old Hyde cemeteries, writing

Hardware Store in Engelhard, his daughter-

an article on some aspect of Hyde County

in-law, Jo Spencer, manages the business.

history, inviting a guest speaker to our class

He remains president of his family business,

spend several nights at my house. I also have

and compiling their own genealogical lines for

established by his father in 1900, and is

been host to eight different foreign students

three generations if possible,” he elaborated.

involved with store changes and policies and

for a school year from Thailand, Hong Kong,

various vendors.

Germany, South Korea and Mexico.”

R.S. has been a lifelong member of the

Tasmania, Germany and other countries to

Hyde County Historical & Genealogical

“I am occasionally called to assist someone

The most challenging portion of his work,

Society, an organization instrumental in

looking for Hyde County information,” he

he said, “Trying to convince a researcher that

preserving Hyde County’s history since 1963,

added, “as my store is the book vendor for

what they have collected from social sites or

of which he served as its vice president from

the Hyde County Historical & Genealogical

from grandma is incorrect and then providing

1974-1978 and president from 1979-1993.

Society.”

the correct information with sources.”

He has always been active in community

However, what is most rewarding, he said,

service. Since 1965, he has served as a deacon

“Seeing the happiness on someone’s face or

Since 1980, he has also been a journal

for the Engelhard Baptist Church. Since

reading about their pleasure when they write

editor and primary writer of High Tides, a

2012, he has served as vice chairman for

me. I have been exposed to so much history

semiannual historical and genealogical journal

the Ocracoke Medical Center and Engelhard

that I am anxious to share it with others,

published by the society which expertly covers

Medical Center Board.

which I do, through my books and my journal

Notably, he has also edited and written several historical and genealogical books.

all topics well before Hyde County’s formation in 1739 until present — fishing, agriculture,

Additionally, he has served with the Hyde

County

Chamber

of

articles.”

Commerce,

Currently, R.S. is working on a book about

military

Hyde County Board of Education, Octagon

the Washington Gibbs family among other

transportation,

House Restoration, Engelhard Rotary Club,

projects.

land ownership, personal property,and other

East Carolina Bank, among many other

topics.

organizations.

religion,

education,

involvement,

architecture,

businesses,

Additionally, R. S. is a life member of the

In his spare time, he said, “I enjoy baking

North Carolina State Archives and the North

– especially cakes, cookies and pone bread. I

Carolina Genealogical Society of which he not

also like to put jigsaw puzzles together.”

only served as vice president from 1990-1991, but also president from 1992-1996.

In his service to others, he has also been a part of a prison ministry for the past

His lifelong passion has not been about living in the past; his lifelong passion has been about building and preserving for the future.

The impact of his work as a community servant, a dedicated researcher, and a friend to all reflect great credit upon himself and Hyde County.

While he is well-experienced working with

twenty-five years in which he corresponds

R.S. Spencer Jr. is someone not only to

a variety of historical and genealogical records

by letter and telephone and visits in person

know to assist you with your family research,

at the local, state and national levels, he has

with prisoners at the Pamlico County site in

but he will always be known for his inspiration

a preference of records with which he likes to

Bayboro.

to others and the legacy he is leaving behind

work.

“I like compiling family histories and genealogies by using original sources and

The impact of R.S.’s service to others extends even farther beyond the boundaries of Hyde County.

by using oral history. This research is like a

“I have participated in a Rotary Exchange

jigsaw puzzle – each bit of information added

Program and have had visitors from Japan,

that will last longer than a lifetime.

Sandy Carawan is an English Language Arts teacher at Mattamuskeet Early College High School in Swan Quarter and a longtime contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

33

GA T E S

Barbara Toti

Going above and beyond Story by Gene Motley Photos Contributed

I

n Gates County she is easily the answer to: “Who you gonna call!?!”

school in North Carolina.”

Toti recently celebrated mounting her

In the late 1980s, she applied for a teaching

100th play at the school, “The Wizard of Oz.”

Barbara Toti’s job title may be Theater

position in Gates County even though all she

“I had promised one of my first principals

Arts Teacher and Instructional Coach at Gates

knew about the place was that it was east of

that one day I would do the play for something

County High School, but when defining areas

Rocky Mount.

big,” she said. “We figured that was the best

around the county bearing her footprint, then that moniker doesn’t come close.

A transplanted Kentuckian, Toti left the Bluegrass State to attend Lenoir-Rhyne College thanks to family roots in the Tar Heel state.

“I was just going to stay three years, enough

way to celebrate 100 productions; and I had

to get the theater program started,” she noted.

to include my family: my son, Nolan, agreed

“By my third year I would begin the day with

to audition for the Cowardly Lion.

kindergartners and end it at the high school.”

“Theater was always a family affair,” she

Along the way, she began a family and

noted. “My daughters, Alex and Ashley, were

cut back to part-time so she could raise her

active members of Gates County High School

“My Dad was from Haywood County, so

children. After achieving a Masters degree at

Playmakers and I could always draft my

we would come down on weekends,” she said.

UNC-Greensboro, she returned to full-time

husband into being a voice on the microphone,

“Dad was a choreographer (at Berea College

teaching.

and he was always a big technical help.”

in Kentucky) so I wanted to study theater; I always liked teaching, and I wanted to go to

34

“Thirty-five years later, and I’m still here,” she giggled.

In addition to being a dedicated theater arts teacher, instructional coach and “jack of

all trades” at Gates County High, two years

diligent work and funds raised through

the teachers, and that helped build some

ago when the COVID pandemic hit, Toti

community donations.

connections which really made what was a

stepped up in other ways.

When the 2020-21 school year began,

tough school year – because it began virtual

Saddened by the traditions that were

Gates still had virtual learning, so Toti created

and then went back on campus in January – a

unavailable because of the pandemic, she

a virtual open house for the education

lot easier. It’s still tough now, but at least our

wanted to still make senior year and graduation

community.

kids are right there with us,” she said.

special for the GCHS Class of 2020.

“My principal wanted to do a drive-thru for

“You want to make it a good relationship and

To make it work for everyone, Toti held

it’s really important to develop a relationship

parking lot meetings during the time when

the kids, but I wanted to do more,” she related.

with

acknowledged.

students were not allowed on campus. She

“So we decorated, designed and ordered yard

“Everyone on staff from the custodians, to

visited the homes of the pupils and worked

signs for the graduates and spearheaded a

the cafeteria workers up to the principal got

hard to make connections with students and

drive-thru parade for them that included

to know us from videos we posted online. The

their families.

faculty and staff from all county schools,

parents could access that before they even

Drawing on her mountain roots, Toti and

K-thru-12.”

the

parents,”

she

met us. We used something I’d used in my arts

school Media Specialist Tammy Simons came

During the weekend event, the graduates

classes called Flipgrid, which were videos to

together and created a way for students

received t-shirts, baked goods, vinyl stickers

introduce ourselves to our students and their

and faculty to stay active and remain

and several other gifts. All of which came

parents. It’s just a really awesome program.

engaged: they organized a virtual hike of the

thanks to the efforts of Toti and her team’s

“The students then did one (videos) for

Appalachian Trail.

35

Instead of mapping out the entire route from Georgia to Maine, the duo used a starting

follow the Atlantic coastline, marking of all the

awarded that twice,” she said. “In the total

lighthouses along the way.

time we’ve given away some $10,000 in

point of Clingmans Dome at the North

Up until COVID two years ago, Toti

scholarships and grants, so it’s pretty exciting

Carolina-Tennessee state line, highest point in

participated in ‘Polar Plunge.’ an icy dip into

that a small community like Gates County is

the Great Smoky Mountains.

the waters at Beaver Lake every January.

raising money and paying it forward.”

“Anyone who was in the group with us,

There are also two major school-community

Last year, Toti and her students staged

they would upload their miles (at the end of

events that are special to Toti: the Mama K

“The Emperor’s New Clothes,” which had been

each week),” she related. “I made a resource

Scholarship fundraiser, and a special ‘Teals-

delayed due to the pandemic; and at the end

where they could look at maps, they could

day’ celebration to mark remembrance of

of last year they did “A Midsummer Night’s

look at the terrain, see some of the history,

Gates County High boosters and supporters

Dream” using the forest behind the school as

and we made slides that represented the

who have been impacted by ovarian cancer.

a stage.

various sites along the Trail.

“One of my volunteers, named Cheryl

“In April we’re doing a play, ‘All I Need

“Everyone could join along, including the

Kennedy – known as Mama-K – who was

To Know I Learned in Kindergarten,’ and we

students and we had at least a dozen people

actually one of my student’s parents, and who

hope for some visiting artists to come to the

who stayed with it religiously and logged in

helped me with Special Olympics, passed

schools,” she said. “I want to do children’s

their miles,” she continued. “We also had

away unexpectedly,” Toti recalled. “After I met

matinees where the younger kids are bussed

books about the Trail and we would discuss

with her family, we wanted to do something

to the high school to see the shows.

what they liked and learned. It was a way to

to remember her, so we started a scholarship

“If there’s a need, I do like to fill it, or at

remain active and learn about the technology.

every spring as a great way to carry on what

least put the right people together to make

There have been requests to do it again.”

she had done for students.”

it work. I’ve got such a great group of folks

Those who completed the walk earned

There is a Mama-K Day that includes a

Chick-fil-A Gift Certificates as a reward. They

luncheon fundraiser and a Mama-K Night that

were donated by local businesses.

is held in the fall during the soccer season.

Toti hopes to do a new route at some

“We have now also added a mini education

upcoming time that will begin in Maine and

grant that teachers can apply for and we’ve

36

around me who like to make things happen,” she concluded.

Gene Motley is a retired Sports Editor and Sports Director and a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

37

C ho wa n

F

or over half a century, Sadie Riddick has been an endearing cornerstone of the Edenton community.

Born and raised in the historic Inner Banks

town, the stalwart Riddick has been a force for change from Badham Road to Water Street and everywhere in between.

Riddick, 71, was born the daughter of a homemaker and a brickmason in an era where things were quite a bit different.

When she was younger, things were more community-oriented, Riddick says.

Life in town revolved around family and caring for one another; greeting each other on the front porch, shopping around town, the friendly greetings to any and all.

“I remember the playground on Oakum Street, the merry go round and the metal slide boards and the swingset they had,” Riddick reminisced. “Everybody would just congregate there on that playground every afternoon in the summer. Everyone would have the best time. There was no fighting, no cursing or cutting up, I looked forward to it every day.”

She remembered drinking sodas and eating nabs at Bluebird’s Cafe on Albemarle Street, which once stood near the current police station.

“We would walk down to the waterfront,

Sadie Riddick

A cornerstone of her community

walk over the Hayes bridge and I would try to skip stones out here on Edenton Bay,” she said.

Decades later, she sits recounting her life in the parlor of the Penelope Barker House, which overlooks the same glassy bay she once tried to skip rocks on, long ago.

While she was a graduate of the Class of 1969 at D.F. Walker High School, the last all Black graduating class in the county, the fonder memories from school came earlier on.

“Growing up here as a little girl, I always looked forward to school every day,” Riddick

Story by Tyler Newman Photos by Tyler Newman & Contributed

38

says of her childhood. “Because my first grade teacher always made me feel like somebody. She always gave me a hug,

As a lifelong member of the Kadesh AME Zion Church congregation, Riddick has devoted her entire life to the church and its prosperity. In recent years, however, much of her time has been spent advocating for its revival and restoration.

As a renowned landmark of the Edenton townscape, Kadesh Church on East Gale Street was home to one of the first African American congregations in the county.

Constructed in 1897 by the celebrated words of encouragement, she made you feel

helping someone to the best of her ability.

Badham family of carpenters, Kadesh has

“I love people,” Riddick says. “I feel like

become a testament of the resiliency of the

That kindness, Riddick says, did not fall on

I’m not big enough for everyone, people are

African American community, as well as a

stony ground. In the years that followed, she

always calling on me to ask for help and I’m

symbol of Badham’s beautiful Gothic Revival

has done nothing but show an outpouring

always saying yes. But I’m cutting myself really

craftsmanship.

of love and compassion for the community

thin trying to reach out to everybody and then

The church, however, was heavily damaged

she calls home. Throughout her career in

I get this guilt that I’ve let somebody down

during Hurricane Isabel, the 2003 storm that

education and caregiving, she always gave

because I can’t help them.”

punched her way across the Outer and Inner

wanted.”

back.

Riddick says that she gets told all the time

“We both worked together at ECPS,” says Gloria Wadsworth, longtime friend of Riddick.

that she “can’t help everyone,” yet she still does what she can.

“She always liked working on different projects

“I haven’t drilled in my mind yet that you

with the students. She was very crafty and

can’t help everybody,” she says. “But I still try.”

Banks of North Carolina.

In the nearly twenty years since, Riddick has been one of the spearheading figures pushing for the crucial renovations to bring her childhood home back to life.

Working with Sisters of Strength, Riddick

Riddick recalled her years in the church’s

Wadsworth, who volunteers alongside

has taken part in everything from sock drives

choir box, seeing faces come and go and

Riddick in Sisters of Strength – a local

to awarding high school scholarships to

singing her highest praises.

organization

working with underprivileged children and the

creative.”

of

13

women

aimed

at

community betterment – says that her old friend has a heart full of love and nothing but generosity for others.

“She would give you the shirt off her back.

She’ll drop everything she’s doing and help people, no questions asked,” Wadsworth says.

elderly.

“Growing up in Kadesh, people always greeted you with a smile. They said ‘good

Elsewhere in the community, Riddick

morning’ and afterwards they said ‘we look

also works with Order of the Eastern Star, a

forward to seeing you again,’” Riddick says.

worldwide nonprofit charitable organization.

“There was always hugging and greeting at

Patrice Bell, who heads the local branch of the order, has nothing but praise for Riddick.

the door and it was always a full house inside.”

Since Isabel, the Kadesh congregation –

“She’ll take people to a doctor’s appointment

“Sadie Riddick has been a member of the

aptly named for the oasis that harbored the

or to the airport. She’ll buy families food and

Order of the Eastern Star for over 39 years,”

Israelites following their exodus from Egypt

bring it to them, she’ll buy clothes for local

Bell says. “She is always willing to lend a hand

– has moved from place to place, seeking

children. She helped me when I had cancer

wherever she is needed and she has a great

refuge while their church lay dormant on East

and then I helped her when she had cancer.

sense of humor. But most importantly, she is

Gale Street.

She’s just…. Sadie.”

a woman that loves the Lord.”

During those interim years, Riddick and

Wadsworth says that when people hear

Despite all of her community work, Riddick

others in the community pioneered the

the name “Sadie Riddick” they instantly know

still makes time for church. Plenty of time, in

fundraisers and grants that won Kadesh

she is off somewhere in Edenton or beyond,

fact.

necessary funding, one bit at a time.

39

As

of

late,

the

congregation

has

dancing all the way into the front doors.

colleagues in the Edenton-Chowan school

been housed on Badham Road in North

“It’s my dream, to walk back through those

[district] so we have known each other for

Edenton. That is where a December 2021

doors. People say ‘Sadie that’s crazy,’ but it’s

several decades,” says Grace Bean, who

announcement took the church – and the

going to happen,” she says.

serves on the EHC’s Kadesh Restoration

community – by surprise.

A $2.1 million state appropriation had

During her years lobbying for Kadesh, Riddick

joined

the

Edenton

Committee. “The opportunity to serve on

Historical

the Kadesh restoration project with Sadie

been awarded to the church, enough to

Commission, which serves to preserve and

has been a privilege. She is dedicated in her

finally springboard the renovation efforts and

educate on the history of Edenton and the

faith and to the completion of the restoration

materialize its revival.

area as a whole.

of this historic, sacred place. I consider her a

“I can’t find an adjective to describe how

“I’ve been with [the EHC] for the last two

people really reacted and felt when it was

or three years,” she says. “I was involved with

“Sadie’s work in the community, knowledge

announced,” Riddick says. “There were a

Kadesh and people asked me to be a part of

of our local history and now her involvement

lot of tears shed, a lot of emotion, happy

the commission. I’ve enjoyed my time with

in the restoration committee makes her an

emotion. We are small in congregation but

them a lot.”

invaluable resource,” says EHC Executive

we try to stick together and love one another.

Everything was overwhelming that day.”

treasured friend.”

“Sadie Riddick has a true community

Director Joy Harvill. “The commission is very

spirit,” says Sam Dixon, a member of the EHC.

fortunate to have members like Sadie who

When the doors of a restored Kadesh

“I have watched as she gives her time and

so willingly give their time and talents to do

Church finally reopen, Riddick plans to be

talents to the Edenton community. She brings

the work of preserving our history for future

there, doing what she does best.

people together and inspires them to help

generations.”

“I love music and I love singing, I’ve been

create a better Edenton. Her hard work and

Gloria Wadsworth, thinking back on her

singing since I was about 8 years old,” she

inspirational leadership is one of the reasons

years of friendship with Riddick, said, “She’s

says. “I don’t get into something unless I really

that Kadesh Church will now be restored.”

just always there. I can’t have a better friend

enjoy it. I sing with the district choir as well.”

Riddick hopes that once Kadesh is restored, she can join her congregation in parading down Broad and Oakum streets, singing and

Working alongside the EHC has also brought Riddick into contact with old colleagues from her days in education.

“Sadie and I first knew each other as

than Sadie.”

Tyler Newman is a Staff Writer for The Chowan Herald and Eastern North Carolina Living.

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41

NO R T HA MP T O N

Willie McLawhorn

Joyful again and forever Story by Gene Motley Photos Contributed

We C o m f o r t e r s a n d c o u n s e l o r s , t h e healers of others, need comfort and consolation. In sickness, in death, in tragedy, we are the same.

- Au t h o r U n k n o w n 42

I

t has been said of ministers that they

to Gardner-Webb and on to Southeastern

education. But every situation is unique, and

open their arms and carry the burdens of

Seminary for further education, attaining a

I had mine with the Lord.”

the heavy-laden, they are the listening

Masters of Divinity degree along the way.

McLawhorn now is passing on that same

ears for weary hearts, the eyes to those who

1981 found him as a young pastor in the

are blind. They’re driven, almost compelled by

Northampton County hamlet of Lasker,

compassion.

where he was ordained, and pastored for

“I do try to minister to other youngsters

five years. By the late eighties he’d moved

and try to give them insight into some of my

south to Columbus County, ministering

experiences,” he shared. “Telling them what I

The Rev. Willie McLawhorn – before he

there for nearly a decade before returning

went through is different from what they will

became a minister – moved quite a bit as a

to Northampton and Conway Baptist Church

come to experience.

youth before graduating from Bertie High in

in 1998. He retired from there as a full-time

“One of the most rewarding aspects is

1966 and following a stint in trade school,

pastor in 2013 and now finds himself serving

reflecting back on people’s relationship with

enlisted in the United States Air Force.

as a fill-in interim minister a few miles away

Christ at the time and knowing you had a small

in Menola.

impact, a role to play, in their development to

And

often,

that

comes

from

life’s

experiences.

“I was a communications specialist serving in California and overseas in Germany and

“I also do some freelance preaching here

later Japan, so I got to see various cultures,

and there when I get the opportunities,” he

and my only regret was that I was 19 at the

added.

advice to young pastors as they make the journey to pastoral fulfillment.

that point. Seeing them become more like Him is our goal,” he said.

McLawhorn credits such strong faith in

time and didn’t have the appreciation for it

McLawhorn says his ‘conversion’ coincided

helping him through the loss of his only son,

like I developed later in life,” he recounts now.

with his return from the military, a sort of

Will, back in 2010. Sgt. Will McLawhorn was

“Back then I was just a Bertie County country

reckoning as he faced what seemed like an

only 23 years old and was one of six soldiers

boy who ended up seeing all sorts of things

uncertain future.

killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan

out in the world.”

Later in life, McLawhorn would pass that sage advice on to his only son, Will.

“I was playing in a band and made a

Sunday morning, Dec. 12 that year.

rededication of my life to the Lord, quitting

He was serving in the 101st Airborne

alcohol and such,” he recalled. “My bandmates

Division, 2nd Brigade Combat team when

Four years later, returning home to Roxobel,

were very supportive. But I knew the Lord

he was killed in the line of duty. The former

he says that’s when he first heard and heeded

was dealing with my life. I talked it over

Northeast Academy student-athlete had

the call to the ministry. He then attended what

with my pastor, Danny Featherstone, and

joined the U.S. Army in 2006.

was then Chowan College before transferring

he encouraged me to get the necessary

“After we got the proverbial ‘knock on the

43

door,’ it was our faith that got us through that,” he acknowledged. “My wife has had ways and incidents in which God has reaffirmed things to her in ways that I never received; but coming through her it reaffirms me.

“Will did a lot of work for other people, and that’s been the most rewarding thing to us as well,” he noted. “The comments and other things we’ve gotten from other people makes us feel we did something right with him.”

McLawhorn, his wife Diane, and daughter Melanie, have all done much to keep Will’s memory in the forefront.

“We have the (high school scholarship) baseball tournament every spring (at Northeast Academy), and I’ve been asked to speak (as a Gold Star parent) at various Memorial and Veterans Day services and other events. I try to tell parts of his story at those events because people like to hear the stories and personal accounts in those settings, and it helps keep his memory alive.

“Various people who knew Will will do things occasionally in his honor,” his Dad said.

“The town of Conway every Dec. 12 declares ‘Sgt. Willie McLawhorn Day’ and they do special things like the Proclamation, the church members bring flowers and, of course, we get cards and calls remembering Will. Sandy Ridge Baptist Church in Hickory (McDowell County) reaches out to Gold Star families remembering Will and thanking him for his sacrifice.”

While so much reflection may make others melancholy, Rev. McLawhorn – affectionately known throughout the region as “Preacher Willie,” seems fortified, though humbled, by it.

“The biggest thing is I’ve reached the age where I can look back and say I’ve had a good life,” he reflected. “The Lord has blessed me and hopefully he has used me to minister to others and to touch other lives.

“I’ve been married to my wife for going on 46 years, we were blessed with two beautiful children – my daughter, Melanie, is a teacher – and of course there is the memory of Will. It’s been a good run and if the Lord is ready for me; well, I’m ready for Him,” he closed.

Gene Motley is a retired Sports Editor and Sports Director and a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

44

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109 S. King St • PO Box 69 • Windsor, NC 27983 Phone: 252-794-3185 • Fax: 252-794-2835

47

Chip Hester

Faith. Family.

Education. Football.

WIL S O N 48

Story by Emily Wells Photos by Keith Tew/Barton College

J

anuary 27, 2018, was a happy day

Todd Wilkinson, Director of Athletics at

for Wilson. Especially for Wilson

Barton noted that Hester was a “perfect

football fans

fit” for the institution.

On that day, Barton College’s board of

Hester

certainly

had

enough

trustees made the unanimous decision to

experience to fit the bill. Prior to taking

reestablish the school’s football program

on the role at Barton, he spent four years

after a seventy-year hiatus. The NCAA

at North Carolina A&T State University as

Division II school planned for the brand

offensive coordinator and helped lead the

new team to start competition on a brand

Aggies to two nationally ranked seasons.

new field with a brand new coaching staff

His longest tenure was at Catawba

in the fall of 2020.

College, where he was the head coach for

Even then, the task of constructing a

eleven of his eighteen years.

football program from scratch seemed like

Hester was itching to be a head coach

an intimidating undertaking, regardless of

again when he heard about the position

what world events would occur in 2020.

at Barton. After visiting the school and

It would take the just right person to

meeting the leadership, it felt like a good

bring this long-awaited dream to fruition.

fit. Being able to construct a team from

Barton College President Dr. Doug Searcy

the ground up added to the appeal.

revealed that person to be Coach Chip

“I had been a head coach at Catawba

Hester at a June 2018 public ceremony.

College and took over a program that was

really established and had been around

and make the most of the situation. I’m

forever,” Hester shared. “Then I had a

proud of them. They’ve fought through. This

chance to coach at North Carolina A&T, so

past fall was our first full fall season and we

starting a program from scratch was a new

found a way to win six games, which is really

challenge. It sounded like a new adventure.”

amazing,” he added.

A Raleigh native, Hester also appreciated

In February 2021, the gridiron promised

that moving to Wilson would allow him to

land was finally attained. The NCAA had

be closer to family.

canceled all fall 2020 athletic seasons and

But then COVID-19 stepped in.

pushed competition to the spring. Although

“I talked with guys who had started new

the stadium was not complete, Barton’s

programs and they would say ‘There will be

new turf field was ready for competition.

challenges and successes, twists and turns.’

The Bulldogs finally suited up for

So I tried to be flexible and have a solid

competition against Erskine College on

outline of how we wanted to do things,

February 27, 2021. With only one side of the

but COVID was beyond what I ever even

bleachers open and an ongoing pandemic,

thought about could happen.”

one might think attendance at the game

After

so

much

anticipation

and

preparation, the 2020 team had to pack

would be low, but Barton students and the Wilson community showed up big time.

their bags and go home while they were

“Our guys were waiting for over a year

preparing for their first fall season. But not

to play in a ball game. They were just so

all was lost, there were still lessons to be

excited and fired up. We were able to have

learned in the midst of the unknown.

500 fans and we had great energy on the

“You

shouldn’t

take

anything

for

sidelines. It was a lot of fun,” Hester recalls.

granted,” the coach said. “You just don’t

“We took our lumps on the scoreboard but

know what the future holds. I think having

we learned a lot of lessons.

it [the 2020 season] taken away like that

“If we had tried to play in the fall it would

made our players and our coaches and

have been a lot rougher than having that

myself appreciate every opportunity and

time together. Our guys went a year and

made it more meaningful when we got back

a half playing against each other. There

together.

was some relief to finally play a game and

“Our guys have found a way to adapt

“

Our guys have found a way to adapt and make the most of the situation. I’m proud of them.

They’ve fought through.

compete, and have the scoreboard on. I

49

think our guys have handled it really well. The

about that. When it’s all said and done, that’s

Now that he has a full season under his

thing I've enjoyed the most is watching how

the most important part of it. We hope to

belt, Hester is building for next year with

close they have become. They are a tight-knit

help those young people on their journey

preparation and recruitment.

group. Our guys love each other and play hard

to be good dads, good husbands, and good

for one another. That’s fun to watch and be a

community leaders.”

part of,” he said.

The Bulldogs saw wins in the spring

“We want to be on an upward trend, but rarely is that smooth. We want to keep trying to build. Our motto is to be uncommon. We

Many coaches focus solely on their

and in the traditional fall 2021 season, but

team’s win-loss record. While that is certainly

none compared to their win over Wingate

important to Hester, his bigger focus is on

University in October 2021. It was a win so

knowing who his players are as people. He

inspiring that it could be a movie scene. The

wants their four years of college to set them

victory was certainly a testament to Hester

Off the field, Hester spends his time

up for future success, not just a time to win

and proof of the strong foundation he is

with his wife and two daughters. He enjoys

games. The team culture he is building now

building for Bulldog football.

finding hole-in-the-wall eats and can be seen

don’t want to settle for average. We want to be the best version of ourselves. Whatever comes our way, we’re going to keep playing.”

will be the legacy left behind for future teams.

“That game will be in my memory forever‒

The coach said, “My priorities that I always

winning against a ranked opponent, the

talk about are faith, family, education and

number eight team in the nation. We won

With Hester at the lead, there is no doubt

football. It’s not that football isn’t important to

in overtime. The students, parents, everyone

us, it is, we love it. But that’s how I start things.

rushed to the field to celebrate. That was the

that the Bulldogs are set up for success next

“What does that look like on a daily basis?

culmination of a lot of work for a lot of people.

Every day at the end of practice we get the

Not just the football team, but the board,

team up and we have prayer requests and

community committees, the administrators,

silent prayer. That’s something that’s a part of

the game ops, the cheer team. It was a

how we do things,” Hester said. “That’s what

great culmination moment; it was so good.

for Greenlight Community Broadband at the

families do. We try to develop young people.

When we won that game it confirmed the

City of Wilson. She resides with her cat and live

That’s our mission statement as coaches.

confidence our guys had and said ‘We have a

chickens in Nahunta and is a regular contributor

We want to win games, there’s no question

chance.’”

to Eastern North Carolina Living.

50

strolling through Historic Downtown Wilson with his wife on the way to a restaurant.

season, and in the years to come. And with his priorities in place, he knows where they are going and how they are going to get there.

Emily Wells is a Sales & Marketing Manager

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51

WA S HINGT O N

Randy Fulford

Devoted to Washington County’s athletes Story by Lewis Hoggard Photos by Lewis Hoggard & Andre’ Alfred ny athlete in Washington County

A

There have been a number of professional

University of Connecticut, eventually playing

has probably already met Randy

athletes to come through the county’s

in the NBA for the Orlando Magic in 2018

Fulford.

recreation department during the time

and played this past season in the Ukrainian

For the last forty years, Fulford has been

Fulford has been there, but he is prouder of all

Super League. With many other stops in his

associated with athletics in some capacity

the non-professional athletes who have come

professional basketball career, Rodney Purvis

in Washington County. He has been coach,

through. He does have pictures of individuals

is one of many impacted by Randy Fulford.

referee, volunteer, director, instructor and

such as professional basketball player Rodney

whatever title and job that has been needed

Purvis.

to be done.

There have literally been thousands of

He is certainly a man to know in

those children and young adults to enjoy the

Washington County and currently serves

services of the recreation department led by

as the Director of the Washington County

Randy Fulford.

Recreational Department.

52

Rodney Purvis played at N.C. State and the

Fulford was originally not from the area, but from Beaufort County and across the Pamlico River in Aurora. He graduated from Aurora High School.

This man himself was an athlete, but has made his mark as a teacher of athletics. More importantly, he has provided mentorship to

so many young adults.

Fulford

has

won

numerous

awards

As with many in Plymouth, the mill

from North Carolina Athletic Association,

brought him to this area. He started with

Statewide Athletic Association Conference

contract work there and that is how he arrived

and the State Games of North Carolina. If

in Washington County. He has transitioned

one asks around the state in athletic circles,

over the last 40-plus years to serve the local

people know Randy Fulford and the success

community in many ways, but particularly

of his athletes. The lesson that young people

with helping young athletes.

gain from playing locally and then competing

Fulford states, “This community was a great place to live.”

at the state level cannot truly be measured in its impact and importance.

Also, his wife Crystal contributed to the

Besides being a success with the young

greatness of the place. They are still happily

people of Washington County, he also

married with grown children. That is why he

impresses fellow officials.

has stayed a contributor to the growth of youngsters in Washington County.

He has attended the Second Zion Grove Baptist Church for a long time. Christianity and his faith is a big part of his success as he says, “The Lord has blessed me.”

This is a man who loves what he does and does a great job.

Bill Benjamin, who is the local owner of Magic 95.9 FM radio station is also an umpire who has worked for Fulford.

“What a tremendously nice man,” states Benjamin.

Fulford books officials for games, gives guidance to those officials and helps them.

The successes come not just from the hard

His passion has been athletics and he has

work by the young athletes, the instruction,

coached and refereed basketball, football and

the facilities and the opportunities that

wrestling. He has overseen those sports in

are offered. Communities in eastern North

the recreational program, along with other

Carolina rely on individuals to give of their

sports such as badminton and cheerleading

time and experience to make our world better.

to name a few. His teams and athletes have won too many state titles to be recounted.

We

should

always

remember

and

recognize the hard work that officials,

The gymnasium on Washington Street is

coaches, volunteers do to make our youth

the location of his pride and joy. The old gym

have wonderful experiences on the athletic

is restored on the inside to the way it looked

fields and courts.

“back in the day.”

A lot of love and care work is put into its

Randy Fulford is not only a man to know but, a man to treasure.

maintenance by Fulford. Walking in that gym

Lewis Hoggard is Executive Director of the

is taking a step back to a bygone era. A place

Windsor/Bertie Chamber of Commerce, a

where thousands of kids have taken their first

Rotary Club District Governor and a regular

basketball shot in an indoor facility.

contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

53

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B E R T IE

Story by Thadd White Photos by Thadd White & Contributed

Lewis Hoggard

An integral part of Windsor 56

H

e’s that guy.

Everyone knows that guy.

The one who is called when

something needs to get done. The one who arrives earlier, works harder and stays longer than anyone else.

He’s the one who loves his town and appreciates its history. He’s the one who serves – even at personal cost – and strives to make his home a better place to live and work.

Everyone in Windsor knows that guy is Lewis Hoggard.

“Lewis brings a wealth of knowledge to everything he does through his stellar education

and

professional

experience,”

Bertie County 911 Assistant Director Travis Jackson said. “Despite those accolades, he is a very relatable person, a stronger to none and a friend to all.”

A native of Windsor, Lewis grew up playing baseball in the local recreational leagues and attending schools in Bertie County.

He graduated high school at Woodberry Forest High School in Madison County, Virginia before earning degrees at St. Andres University and the University of Delaware. He has done post secondary level work at Centre

been beneficial as he has developed many resources that are helpful to our town and county,” he added.

As Director of the Chamber, he has led the community in honoring farmers, Black History Month and emergency service workers. He has also started the Sage Festival and continued to aid the Aulander Peanut Festival and Roxobel Ag Festival.

“I can’t say enough about what Lewis has

College, the University of North Carolina

accomplished in his role as Executive Director

at Chapel Hill and his beloved N.C. State

of the Chamber,” said Leslie Beachboard,

University.

a Chamber board member. “He has been

Following his graduation from college,

successful in helping businesses open, brining

Lewis came home to Windsor working

people to our county and generally promoting

as an attorney at Gillam and Gillam and

Windsor and Bertie County. He has been a

then operating a Windsor business –

Godsend to the Chamber.”

Hammerhead’s Oyster Bar.

In addition to serving the Chamber, Lewis

While he was successful at those jobs, it

has been an integral part of keeping the

has been his decade-long service as Executive

Rotary Club of Windsor active and has served

Director of the Windsor/Bertie Chamber of

in a variety of club and district-level posts.

Commerce that has seen Lewis truly find his calling.

“Lewis has lived here most of his life,” Windsor Commissioner Randy K. Whitaker

Currently, Lewis is District Governor for 7720, which encompasses all of northeastern North Carolina and into the southeastern part of the state.

said. “He has seen the changes that has

“I fully believe in and support the mission

occurred over the years, and he has a vision as

of Rotary,” Hoggard said. “I have been excited

to where he wants the town to grow.

to be a part of the Rotary Club of Windsor and

“His years as Chamber Director has

to work with clubs throughout the state and

“I grew up in Windsor.

I love Windsor. I will do my best for the citizens and will work with the commissioners to do what is best for all of our citizens.”

57

region in the past several years. I appreciate so much the support of our club in Windsor as I continue to grow and learn in Rotary.”

Jamie Harmon, a business owner of Dan Pittman Insurance, and a former president of the Rotary Club of Windsor praised Hoggard’s efforts.

“We are proud of Lewis and all he does for

School in Kill Devil Hills.

also is appreciated by many in the town,

He currently calls high school football for

including Windsor Police Chief Justin Jackson.

WIAM Radio in Williamston. In addition, he

“I think Lewis is a great asset to the town,”

serves as the “Voice of the Riverside Knights”

Jackson said. “He has worked hard as Chamber

baseball team for their home games.

Hoggard has been praised by Johnny Bryant, who owns and operates WIAM, for his work leading the station’s sports teams.

executive to bring businesses to town and also organize events to help promote the town.

“I've known Lewis for a while now, and

Rotary, both in Bertie County and on the state

In addition to his work in the community

his knowledge of the history of Windsor is

level,” she said. “He is such a good example of

through volunteerism and the Chamber, Lewis

amazing.,” he continued. “What's even more

what a Rotarian should be, and we are proud

recently made the decision to seek the office

amazing is his love for the town and how

he is our District Governor.”

to continue helping the citizens of Windsor.

much he wants to see it thrive. I could not

Hoggard is a multiple time Paul Harris

With the retirement of longtime Windsor

Fellow for Rotary and a graduate of the Rotary

Mayor Jim Hoggard, Lewis decided to seek the

Leadership Institute.

town’s top executive spot. He ran unopposed

In his leisure time, Lewis has become a local sports personality, first working on the

and was elected in November of last year before taking office in December.

think of anyone better to lead Windsor into the future.”

From his service with the Chamber to the Rotary Club and now to the town of Windsor, Hoggard has dedicated his life to making

Inner Banks Sports Report and then becoming

“I’m glad to be here,” he said after being

a play-by-play announcer for high school

sworn in. “I grew up in Windsor. I love Windsor.

football, basketball, baseball and soccer. He

I will do my best for the citizens and will work

history and tradition that has made it a place

has led the broadcast team in coverage for

with the commissioners to do what is best for

he and many others love.

Riverside High School in Williamston, Bertie

all of our citizens.”

High School in Windsor and First Flight High

58

While looking forward to serving, Hoggard

Windsor a better place and to uphold the

Thadd White is Editor of Eastern North Carolina Living.

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59

HE R T FO R D

John and Sarah Davis

Finding a home in Murfreesboro Story by Thadd White Photos by Thadd White & Contributed

W

hen

it

comes

considerate

and

to

kind,

“We never thought of leaving here,” Sarah

recalled. “While John was interviewing, the

generous

Davis said. “Both of our children are here and

kids and I were walking the streets to see what

this is home.”

Murfreesboro was like.”

spirits there are none more so

than John and Sarah Davis.

John echoed his wife’s thoughts.

What the Davis family found was warm

While they hail from other locales – him

“The house is paid for and we’ve now lived

people, friendly when they walked in and

from Alabama and her from rural Tennessee

here longer than anywhere before we came

out of what – at that time – were quite a few

– the Davis family has called Murfreesboro

here,” he said.

businesses downtown.

home for four decades. And, despite recent

Now 52 years into wedded bliss, the Davis’

retirements from both John and Sarah, they

came to Murfreesboro when John landed a job

plan to keep hanging their coats in Hertford

at what was then Chowan College.

County for the foreseeable future.

60

“We came here on a Friday,” Sarah Davis

“Mufreesboro was a really nice town,” Sarah recalled.

John landed the job at Chowan and the Davis’ along with their children – Sarah and

Hugh - moved to Murfreesboro in August of

a beautiful campus in the historic town of

1981.

Murfreesboro. Soon after, Sarah was called on

They, in fact, lived across the street from where the family has now called home for many years.

to join the Chowan family as well.

to work.”

Sarah was beloved by the people of Aulander, and was heralded for her idea to

She remained at the school for more than

begin a Mature Patrons Program, which was

a decade before moving on to a job she came

one of the most loved features of the small Bertie County library.

The Davis family moved to Murfreesboro

to feel was her life’s passion – working at the

after a successful stint at Talladega College, an

Sallie Harrell Jenkins Memorial Library in

While Sarah was finding her calling at the

HBCU located in Talladega, Alabama.

nearby Aulander. She said it was the people

Aulander public library, John was continuing to

of Aulander who made the job so worthwhile.

grow in his – rising in the ranks from Associate

“We had a wonderful experience there,” Sarah Davis said. “I think our children came up color blind in large part because of it.”

“It was all the people – from town

Professor to Professor and eventually being

administrators to little children – who came

named Distinguished Professor of English

The move to Talladega had come

in the library,” she said. “I cannot say enough

– one of only four such designations at the

after the two met at graduate school at

good about the town employees, especially

school.

Auburn University. She having arrived from

the Aulander Public Works. Three different

Southwestern at Memphis and him from

men directed it during my time there, and

Alabama College and the University of

all - and all their employees - were great

In 1996, the senior class chose Dr. Davis

Montevallo.

to me, helping me both professionally and

as Commencement Speaker, in 2006 he

personally.

was inducted to the Order of Lux Veritas, in

They met, fell in love, married and began a family while John earned his doctorate and Sarah finished coursework for her PhD.

“As I said when I retired, I may not have enjoyed every minute of every day, but there

In addition to English, he taught a film class and a Mark Twain Appreciation course.

2013 he was awarded the McDowell Columns Scholar Prize.

Upon arriving at Chowan, John began

was never an entire day I didn’t enjoy,” she

And, in honor of his retirement, the

teaching at Chowan – a school located on

added. “I got up every morning wanting to go

Chowan University Board of Trustees named

61

him Professor Emeritus of English. Also, the

sponsored by the Mark Twain Boyhood Home

family became involved at St. Thomas

keynote address at the Faculty Symposium

and Museum in Hannibal, Missouri.

Episcopal Church in Ahoskie, where they still

every spring is called the John H. Davis Keynote Address.

John has also presented papers at The Mark Twain House in Hartford, Connecticut

During most of this time, John was writing

and been published in such periodicals as The

scholarly essays, particularly on a subject of

Mark Twain Annual, American Literary Realism

keen interest – the well-known writer Mark

and Mark Twain Journal.

Twain.

Dr. Davis has published a number of papers on Twain, and was published in Critical Insights: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, edited by Dr. R. Kent Rasmussen.

The two men have a long-standing

His other passion has been movies, particularly films from the 1930s, 1940s and

The Davis family said they enjoy the ritual nature of the Episcopal Church and the friendly people they met both in Alabama and Hertford County.

In addition, the two have been instrumental in helping breathe new life into the St. Mark

1950s.

John also calls himself an “anglophile” and

Episcopal Church mission in Roxobel, where

said he enjoyed a trip to England and Scotland

they have led services, attended regularly,

in 2018 that was offered by Chowan.

provided food and even helped work on the

relationship, originating in Davis writing a

In addition to their work, the Davis family

review of one of Rasmussen’s books. Davis has

has long been involved in church. She began

also written 19 essays for the book titled, The

her life a Presbyterian and he a Methodist, so

Critical Companion to Mark Twain, edited by

they settled into the Episcopal church, where

Rasmussen.

they have each found a home.

Dr. Davis’ passion about Twain has resulted

attend regularly.

They

began

attending

an

Episcopal

buildings and grounds.

The town of Murfreesboro, Hertford County and Bertie County have been made better by the arrival of the Davis family four decades ago. They have become an integral part of the fabric of their small town and

in he and Sarah attending the Conference

congregation in Alabama and were able

on the State of Mark Twain Studies at

to experience several church experiences

region. They are truly people everyone should

Elmira College in New York every four years

due to the close proximity of some of the

know.

beginning in 2001. In addition, he has been a

congregations.

regular attendee at the Clemens Conference,

Thadd White is Editor of Eastern North

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64

Truly blessed autism dad

Allen Pittman

B e a ufo r t

A

llen Pittman, a native of Bertie County, said his life, in many ways, has been like a fairy tale.

Some would argue that having a son born

with autism would not be idyllic.

autism.

“We were told that he would never talk, never be social and never have an imagination,” he said.

“Through years of advocacy, therapy and

wanting his son to have the opportunity to play baseball.

“We came up with a program called ExCEL, an adaptive T-ball program,” he said.

ExCEL is the acronym for Exceptional

But for Pittman, who calls his bride Donna,

lots of work, he now talks all the time, has

the Queen, and his son Jacob, the Prince, he

great social rapport and does not know a

“We had different programs for the kids.

can’t imagine life any other way.

Children Enjoying Life.

stranger. If he meets you, he never forgets

We had outings and fun days for people in

His blog, “Life and Times of a Completely

you. He brings a smile to everybody’s face,

the area. It was mainly an adaptive baseball

Worn-Out Autism Dad,” is a storybook full

and he has the biggest imagination in the

league,” he said.

of hills and valleys, accomplishments and

world,” he continued.

victories. He often signs it “Truly Blessed.”

The Pittmans live in Beaufort County, where, for 25 years he served as Building Inspector for the City of Washington.

In March of 2020, he became the Director of Planning and Inspections for Washington County.

“We are in the midst of revamping our ordinances and regulations to get growth stimulated in the county,” he said.

In fact, Jacob has created his own town called SkyKy. Jacob has filled notebooks full of maps he has drawn and stores he has created, as well as laws he has developed, of which the main one is “No Bullying.”

“He is such a joy to be around,” added Pittman.

“When he was first diagnosed, my wife and I looked at each other and said, this can either

The program is in Beaufort County, “But anyone is welcome to participate,” he added, Unfortunately, because of COVID, they have been unable to have programs the past two years.

“Hopefully we will be doing something again soon,” he said.

Now 21, Jacob graduated from Washington High School in 2020.

“That was a major accomplishment for Jacob,” Pittman said.

But Pittman’s main focus is more than what

destroy us, or we can do something that will

On the blog, May 6, 2020, as graduation

he does - it is who he does it with - his family.

help people,” he said. “I think Jacob has helped

neared, his wife, wrote on the blog: “To

a lot of people.”

the Doctor who evaluated Jacob all those

His blog tells the story of when, at 27-months-old, Jacob was diagnosed with

One of those ways came from Pittman

years ago: You should see him now! He is an

65

much. I am very proud of who he is…I think we hit the jackpot when the Prince was born,” he added.

Earlier still, in September of 2018, Pittman wrote, “The Prince is my heart, my inspiration.

He is my reason for living. When the prince was diagnosed at 27-months-old, the Queen said this could destroy us or we could use it to help others. Never in a million years could I have imagined how many people [now] know the Prince.

“I say this not to brag on me or the Queen.

I am bragging on the kid who doctors said would never talk, never have an imagination and never be social. I would say the Prince has far surpassed anyone’s’ expectations for him.”

Jacob has met more people and done more things than Pittman could have ever imagined. accomplished talker, he knows more people in

teaches math in Atlanta. She is called Princess

our town than we do and is one of the most

in his blog.

caring young men you could meet. He loves big and sees the goodness in everyone he meets.”

Pittman is not sure what the future will bring.

“We have always said we would be proud

She added, if she could, she would thank

of Jacob doing whatever makes him happy.

the doctor for one thing: “When you try to

Jacob loves Legos and anything having to do

take hope away from a family, it makes every

with building,” he said.

little accomplishment their child makes, even sweeter. By the way, Jacob picked up his cap and gown today. We may not have a typical graduation, but it will be an extraordinary one!”

Now, Jacob attends a day program at Abound Health in Greenville, where he learns new things daily.

“As he has gotten older, we have branched out and found activities for him in Greenville

He has to be careful when he encourages Jacob - not to push too hard.

“Jacob will say, ‘I don’t work on demand,’” Pittman added.

“There are so many possibilities Jacob has that could help people.”

Pittman’s blog, established in 2018, has over 700 followers. He writes inspirational and thought-provoking posts and chronicles the adventures of the Prince.

and different places – so he can interact with

On August 2, 2019, Pittman wrote, “Every

more people his age. He has made a lot of

moment is precious…. we work to make strides

friends,” Pittman said. “He thoroughly enjoys

with each advancement. We cherish the small

it.

things most would take for granted…. life is a “It is a program that helps him, and others,

learning experience. Enjoy every minute.”

Some of the programs he has participated in and people he has met include Surfer’s Healing (Izzy Paskowit), Dr. Temple Grandin, the Roanoke Cashie Youth Dream Team and the Tim Tebow Foundation’s Night to Shine.

He said he would love for the doctor who diagnosed Jacob to see him now.

Pittman now recognizes a diagnosis is a tool to get help.

“It is not a sentence,” he said.

“I think Jacob’s life would have been so much different if we had not put in the time and worked with people and found the help for him,” he added. “It is all about making sure he has what he needs and has access to the people and services he needs.”

As he looks back over his life, he said he couldn’t always see the blessings while in the midst of them.

“Sometimes your life is a fairy tale, and you don’t know it until you look back on it,” he said.

“I’ve always heard it is hard to smell the

feel like they have a place in the world and

Earlier on December 12, 2018 he wrote,

roses while you are running with them in your

that they are needed – and they are not just

“The Prince is why I was born. I can’t begin to

hand,” he said. “God has a plan for everybody.

sitting home,” he said.

tell you the blessings that I have had because

It may not be what you had in mind, but I can

of/with the Prince. He just brightens my life.

say life will definitely end up a lot better than

Now, I’m not going to sit here and tell you life

you could have ever dreamed.”

Although he calls his wife Queen, he is quick to say that does not make him king.

“I am just privileged to live there with the

is always easy. We definitely have our share of

Deborah Griffin is a freelance writer and

queen,” he said. “We all take care of each

challenges. I could probably fill a novel of the

photographer in Eastern North Carolina and a

other.”

challenges of the younger years.

regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina

Pittman’s wife has a daughter, 31, who

66

“The Prince has grown and matured so

Living.

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68

Joe Edwards

In Memoriam

HA L IFA X

Story by Thadd White Photos by Thadd White & Contributed

“You might say the church scared the devil out of me.”

That’s how Joe Edwards described the

Edwards

quickly

befriended

the

events that led to his profession of faith

new pastor and the two worked hand-

in Christianity as a youngster, and to a

in-hand as they founded the George

lifetime commitment to live up to the

Mueller Christian Academy. In fact,

Bible’s command to not “be ashamed of”

Edwards drove a truck all the way to

the gospel.

Liberty, North Carolina to collect desks

Edwards, who was born in the Virginia

for the new school.

mountains, was living in High Point and

With the school up and running,

attending Woodlawn Baptist Church

Edwards focused on working with

when he was part of a Christmas play

troubled youth at the church. He did

when he was eight years old.

everything from appearing in court to

“A part of the play was about the

forming a softball team, taking them

second coming of Christ,” Edwards

swimming and helping them through

recalled. “They had trumpeters there

their issues.

and none of us knew it – well I didn’t

“I spent some time with each one

for sure. All of a sudden at the second

of them each week,” he said. “I loved

coming they blasted the trumpets and

working with them and they seemed to

scared everyone to death.”

get something out of it.”

Edwards went on to be baptized at

He guided them to learn the error of

Woodlawn and continued attending

their ways and helped them have fun

church there until he left for service in

– including winning a city title with his

the U.S. Army. Following his time in the

softball team.

military, Edwards would settle in Miami,

Edwards relayed a story about a

Florida and find himself attending First

youngster who was caught stealing cars

Baptist Church there. It was at that

and became part of Edwards’ program.

time, the church called a young minister

The young man said he felt he had to

named Dr. Charles Stanley – who went

take the cars when people left their keys

on to become a fixture on television and

inside. Several years later, the young

pastored First Baptist Church in Atlanta

man walked in Edwards’ office in Raleigh

for nearly five decades - to serve as

and told him he had grown up to become

pastor.

a pastor.

69

Edwards said he again hit it off with a young pastor named Dr. Darren Lambert. The two worked together and Dr. Lambert served the local congregation for a dozen years.

Edwards was in the church building weekly, doing any maintenance or odd job he felt could help the church.

While working inside the church, Edwards was also doing work for God outside the church – singing in nursing homes in the Littleton and Halifax County area as well as teaching seniors at the Weldon Day Center to play guitar. He said he has a strong desire to finish teaching those seniors once COVID-19 is no longer an issue.

Looking back over the years, Edwards said his faith in God has helped him through bad times – including the death of his son and “He told me, ‘I wanted to come by and show you what you helped start.’ I felt good

through divorce, each had a son and they

difficult times at church.

“If it hadn’t been for God, I wouldn't have

found themselves drawn together.

Together they began attending Calvary

gotten through my son’s death,” Edwards said,

While Miami was a beautiful place and

Baptist Church in Durham, and the two were

recalling a dark time when his son David was

ministry, Edwards worked for Bell South and

married there and attended church at Calvary

killed in a car wreck at only 24.

soon was promoted to Atlanta, Georgia where

until they retired to Littleton some years later.

about it,” Edwards recalled.

he worked in the company’s headquarters.

Despite

Barbara’s

upbringing

in

the

While in Atlanta, he also renewed the

Methodist Church, and Joe’s longtime affiliation

acquaintance of his friend Dr. Charles Stanley,

with Baptist churches, the two have helped

who by then had become Pastor of First

each other grow in their faith. They attended

Baptist Church of Atlanta.

Methodist and Baptist churches in Raleigh,

Edwards soon joined the church and spent time teaching Sunday School, working with

before settling at a local Baptist congregation when retiring to Littleton.

While still feeling the loss of his son many years later, Edwards said he is thankful God put Barbara’s son, Blair, in his life.

“He treats me just like his dad,” Edwards said.

All-in-all the combined family has served God together and are happier for it.

While Joe sings and plays with friends in

But before he retired, Bell South allowed

a music group – the Sonshine Trio - Barbara

Edwards and his family to meet a variety of

entertains seniors as “Ummons the Clown.”

Just five short years later, Edwards left the

U.S. Presidents during their visits to the state,

They often went to nursing homes together

man he has become to know as his pastor and

and the opportunity to go aboard Air Force I on

– before COVID-19 – to entertain the senior

moved to Winston-Salem, where he attended

several occasions.

citizens who live there.

the visitation program and doing anything else he felt he could do to help the church.

Main Street Baptist Church in Kernersville.

“I loved working for Bell South,” he said. “In

Looking back, Edwards is glad he chose a life of faith in God.

There he also got involved and participated in

fact, even after I retired I went back to work

church.

to help them with recovery efforts in Florida

“Faith has brought the good things in my

following Hurricane Wilma. They called and

life; I would have regretted had I not accepted

asked for me to go, and I couldn't say no.”

Christ,” Edwards said. “I like going to church

It was a few short years later he was on the move again for Bell South, this time settling in Raleigh where he became a member of Leesville Baptist Church.

It was the year 2000 when the Edwards’ made the move from Raleigh to Littleton on a

and I like worshipping God. I like serving God alongside Barbara.”

Once there he again spent time working

permanent basis. Once there, they settled in a

Edwards said he liked sharing his faith, and

with the young men in the church, including

local church and began ministering in a variety

always kept Romans 1:6 close to his heart, “For

coaching them in softball and basketball. His

of ways. Joe became Sunday School Director,

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for

teams again won city championships, just as

Chairman of the Deacons and a member of the

it is the power of God unto salvation to every

they had in Miami.

building and grounds committee while Barbara

one that believeth…”

While in Raleigh, Edwards met his wife, Barbara, and the two hit it off. Both had been

70

directed the Young at Heart program and helped with the church’s bookkeeping duties.

Thadd White is Editor of Eastern North Carolina Living and the Bertie Ledger-Advance.

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ALL IN A

Day’s Trip North Carolina Zoo Story & Photos by Meghan Grant

A fun-filled family day This is a great time of year to take a drive to spend the day at the North Carolina Zoo. The zoo offers quite a bit to experience and will likely take a whole day and you still won’t see everything in that time frame. The North Carolina Zoo does incredible conservation work and serves as a world class research facility as well as a delightful spot for entertainment.

Here are some tips for visiting the North Carolina Zoo and spots to check out while you are there.

Our state zoo is on 2,600 wooded acres located in the center of North Carolina, right outside of Asheboro. There are 500 developed acres, making the NC Zoo the world’s largest natural habitat zoo and is one of two state-supported zoos.

With that in mind, be prepared to walk a lot. Wear comfortable walking shoes. You may want to bring your own water bottles to stay hydrated, especially on a hot day. And definitely remember to wear sunscreen. Face masks are required in indoor areas and enclosed vehicles.

Tickets are $15. Any add-ons are extra, and the Zoofari is one of the more popular add-on tickets.

The Zoofari is a specially outfitted, open-air vehicle for an exclusive tour of the 40-acre Watani Grasslands. You’ll be introduced to nine species by one of the experienced zoo educators. You will see rhinoceroses, gazelles, greater kudus, ostriches and many antelope, plus you may get a special view of the elephants!

A public add-on of this is $25 or you can rent this out as a private event.

There are plenty of other experiences that are included in the base price ticket, including Art in the

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Park. Art is the Park features a variety of art mediums, including sculptures and paintings spread across the two continent features. The largest sculpture in the zoo is the Elephant Group, made of bronze. There is a specific Art in the Park map that highlights the public art installations throughout the North Carolina Zoo. Additional attractions include a carousel, the kaleidoscope butterfly garden, and the Acacia Station Giraffe Deck, which is an additional $5. The giraffe deck is open seasonally from April-October, and is a great experience of being able to get eye level with the giraffes. This is one of our favorite experiences at the NC Zoo. If you are taking your trip on a cooler day, spend some time in the bird aviary! It’s cozy in there as the birds here are tropical and it is quite a collection. We spend quite a bit of time here enjoying the flora as well!

There are picnic areas located directly outside the zoo entrances if you opt to bring your own meal for lunch or an early dinner. However, if you opt to try the restaurants on site, you will not be disappointed!

Billy D’s Fried Chicken is a delicious spot located at the Africa entrance. Our favorite was the hot fried chicken sandwich with waffle fries. Plus, there is a sauce bar with a wide variety of sauces, including comeback sauce, which paired well with the hot fried chicken!

At the North America entrance, there is a Farmto-Table Cafe that features bbq sandwiches, burgers, salads, specialty coffees and soft-serve ice cream.

There are also seasonal cafes that serve burgers, pizza slices, ice cream, popcorn, chicken tenders and other snacks that you may be craving after a long day of walking around.

Whether it is to fuel up before your day at the zoo or a stop on your way out of town, be sure to make time for the Table in Asheboro. It’s a delicious restaurant located about 15 minutes from the zoo and serves up delicious bowls, sandwiches and brunch treats.

Parking is free at the NC Zoo. The North America lot is open year-round, while the Africa lot is open April-October.

Meghan Grant is the “I’m Fixin’ To” blog and is a regular contributor to Eastern North Carolina Living.

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76

biography

By Sarah DaviS

Dr.Geniene

Jones

What are the Joneses first?

According to Dr. Geniene Jones, Chief Medical Officer and Lab Director for Roanoke Chowan Community Health Center (RCCHC) and ECU Rural Family Medicine Residency Site Director, her children, Jadé (10), Hannah (8), and Lucas (6) have been taught to respond “Kind,” when asked, “What are the Joneses first?”

Dr. G. Jones and her husband, Dr. Jamande Jones, RCCHC Pediatrician, exemplify that answer, not only in word, but also in deed.

Dr. Geniene describes her colleagues with adjectives such as “caring, compassionate, warm and generous.”

Born in the Bay area, Dr. Jones relocated to Winston-Salem, at age 11 when her mother, a Winston native, moved back to North Carolina.

Completing middle and high school in Forsyth County, Dr. Jones then matriculated at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she double majored in psychology and political science, minoring in public policy, thinking she would probably eventually practice law.

Following graduation, however, she returned to Forsyth County as a case worker for their Social Services Division. Calling it an “eye-opening” experience, she learned much about the needs of people, especially the most vulnerable, a knowledge she has definitely carried into her present position.

After a time in social work, she moved to South Africa and spent a year

77

in mission work. In 2004, she returned to the United States and worked for WalMart in Raleigh before returning to school in order to pursue a career in medicine.

After filling in needed classes at UNC-G, she was accepted to Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. There she met her husband, Jamande, and a mentor, Dr. Tom Irons, who, knowing the Joneses’ mission mindset, suggested she and her husband meet Kim Schwartz, CEO of RCCHC, and take a look at the Roanoke-Chowan area.

Dr. Irons told the Joneses they would love Kim and the area, and they did.

And, the feeling was mutual, “From the first time I met Geniene and her husband, Jamande, nearly 10 years ago, I was deeply touched by their collective passion for serving in communities that could most benefit from doctors committed

to

staying

over

time.,”

Schwartz said. “Both Joneses have stayed connected to ECU Family Medicine, and it has been so meaningful to have Geniene’s

generosity,

expertise,and

partnership as we have navigated the opening of our Rural Residency right here at RCCHC. “Additionally,

Geniene’s

recent

promotion to Chief Medical Officer is offering a fresh perspective that comes from her very real world perspective of patient care in Eastern North Carolina. It is a pure delight and honor to work with her daily,” says Schwartz.

The Joneses moved to the area in July 2013 with one child in tow and one on the way. Since then, they have added a third practitioner of kindness.

Dr. G. Jones initially worked in the Murfreesboro office with Dr. Mike Alston, who says of her, “Dr. Geniene Jones is a very compassionate, very knowledgeable physician

who

contributes

to

our

community in so many ways. She handles all of her many responsibilities (including raising three beautiful children)

78

“Dr. Geniene Jones is a very compassionate, very knowledgeable physician who contributes to our community in so many ways.”

- Dr. Mike Alston

with professionalism and always with a joyful, positive attitude. Roanoke Chowan Community

Health

Center

and

the

Roanoke Chowan area are blessed to have her here.”

In the fall of 2020, after RCCHC was selected as a site for the ECU Rural Family Medicine Residency Program, she moved to the Ahoskie office in order to oversee that program.

Excited

about

the

program

(“cheerleader” for it, according to Dr. Julian Taylor), she sees it as an opportunity to train compassionate physicians, believing it easier to achieve that objective in a small community. When talking about that aspect, she cites her family’s experience in moving to the area, how welcomed they were with food and friendship.

The program currently has its first two residents; it will expand by two (or three) each year with each class a three-year program. She is hopeful that some of the residents will choose to stay here beyond the three years and believes they will, based on the experiences of these first two.

Dr. Jones has also assumed the role of Chief Medical Officer for RCCHC. Colleague Dr. Colin Jones, formerly CMO, calls her a confident leader in that role.

Calling her warm, welcoming, wise and generous, he notes that she maintains an excellent work-life balance.

Recently retired colleague, Dr. Julian Tayor, describes her as a caring, gifted physician who always has the greater good of the patient in mind, noting that she has “an effective way of recruiting coworkers for tasks which need doing in the clinic.”

Declaring she is “one of a kind,” Dr. Colin Jones emphasizes the word “kind,” firmly echoing the Jones family mantra, that they are first, last and always Kind.

Sarah Davis is a retired librarian and regular contributor to Eastern NorthCarolina Living.

79

Grandma’s

Kitchen Sylvia Hughes with her grandmother, Bertie Dameron.

I’ve been doing a little different kind of cooking lately.

I have a West Highland Terrier named Cricket. She has always been a very picky eater. She would stick up her nose and go hungry rather than eat something she seemed to like the day before. She is almost 13 years old now.

For some time she had been getting harder to feed. A recommendation came to my kindle for a dog cookbook. The recipes were easy and I looked through several books to get ideas.

She is eating better than she has ever eaten before since I started cooking for her and I know it is healthy.

Since many people have dogs, I thought you might be interested in these recipes.

They are simple and quick.

You start with a pound of meat. Ground beef, ground turkey, chicken breasts or thighs and beef cut in small pieces are some of the meats I have used.

Vegetables that are good for dogs include sweet potatoes, white potatoes, green beans, sweet peas, carrots and winter squash. One winter squash diced will make a large bag you can freeze and use as needed.

I add rice into the mix also. I do not use as

much rice as the recipes I have seen. It ends up being the biggest part of the food if you go by those recipes.

That didn’t seem very healthy to me. So I have come up with my own recipes using vegetables that are safe for dogs.

There are fruits that are good for them if you want to add them. Blueberries, apples and applesauce being among them. There are articles on the Internet by veterinarians if you want to do a little research. I also occasionally add a chicken or beef bouillon cube.

It takes me about 30 minutes to prepare a pot of food for Cricket and it makes about a week of food for her. If you want to try it, you might want to check how much food is recommended for your pet for a day.

I brown the meat in a little olive oil in a five quart dutch oven. I add ½ cup of three different kinds of vegetables and about a fourth cup of rice, white or brown. Add just enough water to cover and cook around 15 minutes or until vegetables are tender. All the water should be absorbed.

Let cool. Add correct portions for your dog to freezer bags. Freeze and take out one bag each day to thaw in refrigerator. That means fresh food for your pet.

Here are a few combinations I use:

Sylvia Hughes is a retired newspaper editor and columnist residing in Windsor. In addition to three sons, she has a gaggle of grandchildren, many of whom love cooking with her just as she did with her mother and grandmother.

80

ef 1 pound ground be to, diced 1 small sweet pota ts ½ cup diced carro s ½ cup green bean ¼ cup rice

4 bone less chic ken thig Add en hs ough w ater to Cook a ju st cove bout 15 r chicke minute Add: n s ½ cup w inter sq uash ½ cup s weet pe as ½ cup s mall dic e d Idaho Cook a potatoe bout 15 s more m inutes

oven , brown in Dutch 1 pound stew beef ater to cover Add just enough w Cook until tender Add: vegetables 1 cup frozen mixed hite tatoes, sweet or w po d ce di l al sm p ½ cu ¼ cup rice minutes Cook additional 15

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Grace & Truth P ASTOR WEBB H OGGARD

The real one to know…

“W

ho are you, Lord?” Paul was distressed and now blind. “I must know who this great one who has

revealed Himself to me.”

God revealed it.

Knowing who He is is a grace and blessing from God above. To understand who Jesus is is a beautiful discovery, but even better is

Paul is on his way currently to destroy anyone who claims to believe

when you get to know Him personally. Can you imagine walking

in Jesus. He wants to stamp out the name of Christ everywhere, but

alongside Him as He teaches on the mountain or at the Temple? How

today he meets Jesus.

wonderful it would be to get to walk with Him.

“I am He that you are persecuting.” Paul never gets over this

Well, He is near you now. He walks with you today, and He truly is

moment, and he recalls it forever. Paul’s life is changed once he knows

someone you should know. Not only should everyone know Him, but

Jesus.

unlike any other human, Jesus Christ can be understood by every one

When Jesus was just twelve years old, those in the temple were amazed at his knowledge. “Who is this kid?” They couldn’t believe his knowledge, and they wanted to know from where He came.

of us. He is as close as the mention of his name.

He can surpass our understanding of life and grant us deep peace that abides forever. He will not leave you, and because of that, you

Years later, in a synagogue in His hometown, the same thing took

can be strong and courageous, knowing that even in moments of the

place. They were all amazed by His Scripture knowledge. That is until

deepest darkness, He is with you. Jesus is a present help in times of

Jesus reveals that He is who they have all been waiting for, and this

trouble. Jesus is present.

makes them want to kill Him. He narrowly escapes because it’s not quite time to reveal all that He is.

So, if you need grace and truth today, I recommend Jesus. Why not pull out the Bible and begin to pray to Him? He is the basis of

John the Baptist knew who He was.

all knowledge. Nothing can be known outside of Him, and He has a

“Behold the Lamb that comes to take away the sins of the world,”

servant’s heart. He is the embodiment of grace.

John shouts from the muddy waters. “This is the one I’ve been talking about for years.”

Jesus has come to fulfill every promise and change every life if you know Him. Immediately some of John’s disciples leave to follow Jesus.

That’s good training.

Peter stands before the altar in the town of Dan and exclaims, “You are the Christ, the son of the living God.” Jesus is amazed at his recognition and then tells Peter he didn’t learn that on His own, but

86

Paul spent the rest of his life telling others about this Jesus that loved enough to save, restore and call into serving others. John the Baptist pointed to Jesus as the Messiah until he lost his head for preaching the truth. Peter also would be killed because of His love for Jesus.

Today, they are still walking and talking with Jesus in eternity. He’s just someone you really need to know.

The Rev. Emanuel Webb Hoggard is Pastor of Askewville Assembly of God.

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County: Hertford Marker ID: A-51 Original Date Cast: 1955-P

MARKER TEXT

4-H Club First in North Carolina, organized at Ahoskie in 1909 as the Corn Club. Beginning of present large organization of rural youth in state.

MARK IT!

Information courtesy of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

“B

etter

conditions

in

of Agriculture to support the agricultural

be

demonstration work of boys and girls

brought about as you

clubs. Schaub was appointed the state’s

boys study and apply yourselves to

first club agent. Jane McKimmon, North

present day problems. The yield of corn

Carolina’s

in North Carolina is approximately fifteen

agent, started a Tomato Club in 1911 for

bushels per acre. If you boys would like

girls. Also in 1911, Charles Parker, one of

to do something about it, the Extension

the Corn Club charter members produced

agriculture

will

Service will help you organize a corn club and attempt to teach you how to increase the yield of corn.” With these words, spoken by I.O. Schaub to a group of Hertford County boys in May 1909, North Carolina’s first 4-H Club was born.

Beginning in the 1890s and early 1900s, 4-H Clubs were sprouting around the country, particularly in the South. The clubs’ goal was to improve young people’s agricultural

education.

The

Hertford

County club, arranged in Ahoskie, began as a Corn Club with fifteen members.

Academy Street in Ahoskie

first

home

demonstration

a record-breaking twenty-five bushels of corn on one acre. The clubs became official 4-H clubs in 1918, and their focus expanded to embrace many areas of rural life including education about soil, farm animals, tools, housekeeping, and cookery. In 1919, Hertford County hosted the first joint 4-H boys and girls camp on the banks of the Chowan River at Winton.

By 1939, there were 1,156 organized 4-H Clubs in the state and 2,280 in 1955.

Today, more than 187,000 North

Corn Clubs originated in Mississippi with

Carolina youth participate in 4-H. The

the purpose of increasing yields of corn.

Hertford County 4-H offers services

On July 1, 1909, an agreement was

such as clubs, special interest programs,

made by North Carolina’s land grant

summer camps, school enrichment and

colleges—State

North

after-school childcare. All programs work

Carolina A&M—as well as the Bureau

toward helping members develop and

of Plant Industry and the Cooperative

improve the 4-Hs: head, heart, health,

Extension Service of the U.S. Department

and hand.

College

and

REFERENCES 4-H Centennial Website: http://www.4hcentennial.org/history/category.asp?catid=25 Ahoskie Era of Hertford County (1939) Franklin M. Reck, The 4-H Story: A History of 4-H Club Work (1951)L.R. Harrill, A Brief History and Summary of Thirty Years of 4-H Club Work in North Carolina (1939)

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For Joe Edwards

PARTING SHOTS

BY THADD WHITE

I had never met Joe Edwards and couldn’t

was very much alive and kicking.

were doing. I continued to think of them every

have picked him out of a police lineup when

I had the honor of spending a few hours

we began doing an issue of Eastern North

with him sitting at his table discussing a life

Of the many stories I’ve been able to tell,

Carolina Living that was focused on heroes.

well-lived in which he had suffered tragedy

Joe’s was always one of my favorites. I didn’t

I found Joe by doing extensive online

in the form of his son’s untimely death – and

think I did it justice, but Joe was appreciative

searches and running across the website of

triumph – his marriage to his devoted bride –

and complimentary.

a church he had served in many roles as a

and many ups and downs in between.

servant to his church and his God. It took us a while to make the story work.

He had left the church for personal reasons

time I took magazines to Littleton.

Joe went to his eternal reward Jan. 31 and

I found out he was a friend to the Rev.

the world is a little less bright because of it.

Chuck Stanley and had met more than one

But, my world is better for having the chance

President of the United States.

to meet him, and I’m grateful I got to tell his

and wasn’t as involved at the time as he would

But, while he traveled with “kings,” he also

have liked to have been. We agreed it was best

served those less fortunate – using his gift of

And so, we dedicate this issue to the

to stay in touch and put the story on hold.

playing music and going with friends to sing in

late Joe Edwards’ memory. He was truly the

nursing homes.

definition of our theme, “Folks you ought to

He laughingly told me he was 80 years old, so I shouldn’t be surprised if I called back and he had gone on to meet his maker.

Fortunately, when the time came that we were working on an issue Joe fit into well, he

…we dedicate this issue to the late Joe Edwards’ memory.

He was truly the definition of our theme, “Folks you ought to know.”

90

He was a true joy to meet – welcoming,

story.

know.”

friendly, kind… exactly what I hoped he would

Until next time, remember… all who

be as we were writing about journeys of faith.

wander are not lost. Continue joining us

I was actually able to see Joe on four

as we wander through Beaufort, Bertie,

different occasions. We did the original

Chowan, Edgecombe, Gates, Greene, Halifax,

interview, a photoshoot (he and his wife,

Hertford, Hyde, Martin, Nash, Northampton,

Barbara, were on the cover of the edition)

Pasquotank,

and I made a trip to deliver magazines to his

Washington and Wilson counties.

Perquimans,

Pitt,

Tyrrell,

lovely home on Lake Gaston. We met again in

Thadd White is a father, a fan of Chelsea

Halifax some time later as his family wanted

Football Club and a devoted Star Trek Discovery

a few more copies of the magazine featuring

enthusiast. He serves as Group Editor of five

his story.

Adams Publishing Group publications including

I checked in with Barbara – who texted more than Joe – a few times to see how they

the N.C. Press Award-winning Eastern North Carolina Living.

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