Healthy Lifestyles & Wellness

Programs

Diabetes Prevention Program

1 in 3 adults in the U.S. have prediabetes -- making them more atrisk for developing Type 2 Diabetes -- but you can reduce your risk by eating smarter, becoming more physically active, and reducing stress. The Diabetes Prevention Program is a group program to help you gain the knowledge and tools you need to lose weight and become more physically active.

Learn more about the program and sign up for the next classes (starting Wednesday, September 6th!) by calling the Siler City clinic at (919) 742-5641.

Diabetes SelfManagement Education

Known as DSME, this program is designed to help people with diabetes manage their health, learn about healthy choices, carbohydrate counting and much more! Topics include:

Monitoring blood sugar

Food choices and meal planning

Exercise tips & ideas

Stress management tips

Preventing and managing complications

Learn more about the program by calling the Siler City clinic at (919) 742-5641. All participants MUST have a referral from a physician to participate.

Nutrition Counseling

Join a registered dietitian for Medical Nutrition Therapy to prevent or manage a variety of different health conditions. Work to create a personalized plan to meet your health goals, like:

Losing weight

Managing diabetes

Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol away in 2011, Phyllis returned to Pittsboro, where her Eastern Center friends and family awaited her with open arms.

Call the Siler City clinic at (919) 742-5641 to schedule an appointment. Sliding scale is available for the uninsured. Most insurance is accepted.

“And now, I’m back,” Phyllis reflected. “I’ve been here for 12 years now. These friends down at (Aging Services) have helped me enjoy a nice life. It gets me up in the morning, gets me dressed and gets me out of the house. It gets me down here, and I participate in the things I want to do.”

One of Blair’s favorite activities is the daily lunch that is served just prior to noon each day. Blair opts to come to the center on Tuesdays and Thurs-

Arrest Blotter

Chatham News & Record

ON JULY 31, Stephen Edward Fraser, 52, of 675 Herring Path, Bear Creek, was arrested by Deputy Wesley Chafa for simple assault and communicating threats. He was issued a written promise to appear in Chatham County District Court in Pittsboro on Aug. 16.

On Aug. 1, Billy Farrell Kiser, 55, of 291 Tommy Road, Robbins, was arrested by Deputy Brooke Roberts for resisting A public officer, communicating threats, and impeding traffic sit/stand/lie. He was issued a $500.00 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in Chatham

GOLDSTON from page 1 quality academic instruction. Our intent is to enhance what families are providing in the home.”

The school came about, like many other accomplishments, as more people began to talk about the idea and discovered there was substantial interest for a Christian school in the area. “A couple of board members – Caleb Staley and Cade Fields – who are also church staff members had been exploring the idea for quite a while,” she says. “As more people got involved in the discussions, it became clear we felt the Lord leading us to do this.”

Two more people – Peyton Moody and Avajan Oldham – came onto the board, which has since hired staff members, including Beverly Browne), retired J.S. Waters principal, as the school’s headmaster.

“Beverly is on board with this,” Brady-Andrew says, “and is a veteran educator who loves Jesus and is already working hard to help make the school a success.”

Initially board members had hoped to begin the year with a second grade but opted instead to concentrate on capping the initial year with pre-Kindergarten through first grade. “Our plans are to have a maximum of 15 students per class,” Brady-Andrew says, “and add more grades as we grow.” The school year begins August 28 and there are still a few spots for enrollment. In- days, allowing the rest of the week to be filled by appointments and errands.

“When I’m home, I think about these people,” Blair said. “I call them, and we’re good friends. Everybody wants me to come every day, but if I came every day, it would seem like a job. Sometimes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I feel like staying home. But, I don’t. It makes me get up and get going and look forward to something. When you live by yourself, you need things to look forward to.”

It’s not just the nutritious meal that attracts Blair to the center these days. Lunch is an opportunity for social connection, and Blair has little trouble interjecting her opinion or welcoming a new face to the center.

“That gets you down here, too,” Blair said of the daily lunch at the centers. “But I can eat a sandwich or something at home. But, I come down here and have the nice lunch. Living alone is lonesome sometimes. For me, the loneliest time is eating. Because you’re used to having somebody to talk to and visit, and now you don’t. That’s why we turn on the TV. We don’t have to listen to it or hear it, it’s just noise. Coming down here keeps you from being lonesome, I think. I’m not a lonesome person, because I crochet and talk to people. I try to be happy.”

As a natural extrovert, Blair never runs out of conversational topics around her friends at the Eastern Center.

“We talk all the time,” Blair said. “I think we just talk to listen to ourselves. We tell stories, and we tell other people about what’s going on with our families. These people down here probably know more about my family than my family knows about me, because I see them more.” terested parties may contact Mrs. Browne at chathamchristianacademy@gmail.com for more information or to enroll a student.

County District Court in Pittsboro on Sept. 13.

On Aug. 2, John Wayne Pauley, 50, of 256 Silk Hope Road, Siler City, was arrested by Deputy Reid Allshouse for assault inflicting serious injury, assault on a female, and simple assault. He was issued a $5,000.00 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in Chatham County District Court in Pittsboro on Aug. 28.

On Aug. 2, Tyler Joseph Distasio, 26, of 115 Green Tree Trail, Chapel Hill, was arrested by Deputy Matthew Mitchell for failure to appear. He was issued a written promise to appear in Wake County District Court in Raleigh on Sept. 26.

A big part of the push for the new school came from Goldston Baptist Church and its pastor, Bruce MacInnes, who is familiar with Christian Schools since he serves as chairman of the board of Lee Christian School in Sanford. Space was available at the church facility and funds were on hand for renovations so the church congregation saw the school as an opportunity to impact the community.

Board member Caleb Staley is youth pastor at Goldston Baptist. “The school is grateful to the church for the willingness to do this,” he says. “The incredible support from the church and the community already just shows us how evident this is God’s will.

“A year ago,” he says, “it was just an idea that Cade and I had. We’d get together with no agenda but to talk and pray. Then Peyton came along and then Avajan and Angie and all the pieces came together. It’s evident how God has answered prayer for discernment. Thanks be to the church, the community and to God.”

“We’ve done a lot of work, a lot of talking and a lot of praying about this,” Brady-Andrew says. “We know there’s more work to do but we feel God has laid this on our hearts and we’re excited about the future.”

“A year ago, it was just an idea that Cade and I had… it’s evident how God has answered prayer for discernment. Thanks be to the church, the community and to God.”

Goldston Baptist youth pastor

Caleb Staley

Jimmy Coward

Jimmy Coward has gone fishin’.

Jimmy Marsh Coward, 90, of Siler City, passed away Friday, Aug. 4, 2023. He was born Dec. 22, 1932, to John and Ometa Ward Coward of Ramseur, the seventh of 10 children. He grew up in Liberty, graduating from Liberty High School, where he played baseball and basketball.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955, earning the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Service Medal.

After the service, he went to work for A.J. Schnierson & Sons in Siler City, from where he eventually retired after many years as a supervisor.

Jimmy was a faithful and active member of Moon’s Chapel Baptist Church in Siler City.

He was also a proud participant in the “Liar’s Club” at Muzzie’s Drive-In in Liberty with several lifelong friends. He liked to joke that he didn’t attend as much as the others “because I don’t have as many lies to tell.”

“Papa Jimmy” loved the Lord, his family (mostly the grandkids), fishing, Tar Heel basketball and ice cream — not always in that order.

If you own a pond in Chatham or Randolph counties, he’s probably been up your driveway to introduce himself, asking to fish. He kept notebooks (yes, plural) of pond locations, dates and sizes of fish caught. «Paw-Paw” wasn’t much for technology, never sent an email or typed a text, but somehow he knew how to send out photos of his latest big bass. (He’d want you to know his record was 7.5 pounds).

Later in life, for several years, “Mr. Jimmy” was the unofficial mayor of Village Lake Inn senior living center in Siler City.

In addition to his parents, Jimmy was preceded in death by his sisters LeePet York, Betty Beard, Louise Overman, Mildred Breedlove, Marie Cox, and brothers James “Fid” Coward, Bill Coward and Charles Coward. He is survived by sons Marty Coward (wife Dena) of Wake Forest and Chad Coward (Becky) of Severna Park, Md.; grandchildren Chelsea Coward, Charley Coward, Griffin Coward, Megan Height, Alex Height; his sister Barbara Phillips of Siler City; and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, from 6-8 p.m. The funeral service is noon, Sunday, Aug. 13, at Moon’s Chapel Baptist with Dr. Patrick Fuller officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. Coward requested memorials be made to Moon’s Chapel Baptist Church. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Coward family. Online condolences may be made at www. smithbucknerfh.com.

Libby Thompson Foust

Elizabeth “Libby” Thompson Foust, 89, passed away on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at the SECU Jim and Betsy Bryan Hospice House, Pittsboro.

Libby was born to Ernest and Annie Thompson on July 27, 1934. She was a member of Mt. Vernon Springs Presbyterian church where she was an elder, participated in the Zollie Martin Adult Sunday School class, was a past president of the WOC, and was a church choir member, and treasurer of the church and Sunday School class. In addition to her church activities, Libby was a member of the ESA International Business Sorority, was a past worthy matron and member of the Siler City chapter #9 OES. Libby loved to travel with her sister Sue and her friend Kathrine. She worked for Dr. Claude Byerly for 38 years.

Libby is survived by her son John H. Foust Jr. of Siler City, and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband John “Jack” H. Foust Sr., sister Mary “Sue” T. Lampley, and brothers John Thompson and Bubby Thompson.

Visitation will be Friday, August the 4, 2023 from 6-8pm at Smith and Buckner Funeral home. Other times they will receive friends at the family home. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, August 5, 2023, at Mt. Vernon Spring Presbyterian Church with Rev. Bill Browder officiating. A graveside service will follow at 3:00 pm Saturday, at Lilesville cemetery in Lilesville, NC.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to Lilesville Cemetery P.O. Box 188 Lilesville NC 28091, Mr. Vernon Springs Presbyterian Church Scholarship Fund, or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.smithbuckner funeralhome.com.

Smith & Buckner funeral Home is assisting the Foust family.

Frances Gilmore

Frances Elizabeth Barker Gilmore, 76, of Siler City, died Tuesday, August 1, 2023.

Frances was born in Chatham County on April 9, 1947, to Johnie Henry Barker, Sr. and Dena Hicks Barker. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Earl, Virgil and David Barker; and sisters, Allene Hart, Rachel Barker, Christine Harris, and Virginia Justice.

Mrs. Gilmore was a member of Brush Creek Baptist Church where she was the editor of the church newsletter, Reflections by Frances Gilmore. She worked for many years at Trion in Sanford as a customer service specialist. Frances enjoyed spending her time writing, crocheting, gardening, and canning the items from her hard work in the garden.

Frances is survived by her son, Dennis Gilmore of Bear Creek; brother, Johnie Barker, Jr. of Bennett; and sister, Juanita B. Richardson and husband, Ron of Bear Creek; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home Chapel, from 1:00 - 2:00 PM. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM, with Dr. Patrick Fuller officiating. Burial will follow at Brush Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the West Chatham Food Pantry, in Siler City.

Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Gilmore family. Online Condolences may be made at www.smithbucknerfh. com

Eileen Marra

Eileen Theresa Marra, 93, of Pittsboro died on August 2, 2023. She was the daughter of the late Milton J. Robar and Lillian M. Gonyea Robar of Springfield Massachusetts. She was born in October of 1929 and was one of six children. Eileen was preceded in death by her husband, Owen J. Marra, her brother, Milton Robar and sister, Jacqueline (Robar) Smith. She is survived by her siblings; Neil Robar, Janice (Robar) MacLeod, and Beverly (Robar) Schleicher, as well as sister-in-law, Phyllis Robar, brother-in-law, Jay Smith and many nieces and nephews.

There will be no local services but Eileen’s ashes will be buried in Springfield, Massachusetts at The Gate of Heaven Cemetery. The family request in lieu of flowers that memorial donations be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in memory of Eileen. Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Robar-Marra family.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in NSJ at obits@northstatejournal.com