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By Shirley Thorne

County Line Correspondent

Salem United Methodist Church welcomed Pastor Ellen Spruill, who has been appointed to serve as the new pastor. She has committed to be a bearer of the Word of God, a minister of sacraments, and a sustainer of the love, order, service and discipleship of the people of God. The church congregation has committed to support her with prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness.

The Rev. Gene Tutterow will be the guest speaker at the 11 a.m. worship service at Society Baptist Church Sunday, July 18.  Everyone is invited. The church has resumed choir practice at 6 p.m. each Sunday and will resume Sunday night worship service at 7 the second Sunday in August.     

Upcoming community events: vacation Bible school at Society Baptist Sunday, Aug.-Wednesday, Aug. 4; country ham and sausage breakfast sponsored by the V-Point Ruritans Saturday, Aug. 7, at the V-Point Building; Matthew 25 5K Walk/Run fundraiser Saturday, Aug. 14; Clarksbury United Methodist Church homecoming Sunday, Aug. 15; and vacation Bible school at Clarksbury United Methodist Sunday, Aug. 15-Tuesday, Aug. 17.

Our community sends belated happy birthday wishes to Alene Cartner Balance, who celebrated her 90th birthday June 16. Retired from AT&T/Western Electric, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Alene, all of us in County Line congratulate you on reaching this milestone in life and wish you a healthy and happy new year of life.

Doris Payne, who has been living in New York for a while, has returned to visit her son Charlie and his family in County Line. Doris especially enjoyed celebrating her 94th birthday July 5 with family. Doris, all of us in County Line send you congratulations and wish you a happy and healthy new year of life.   

Our community extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Luecree Huie Nicholson, who died Sunday of last week at Maple Leaf HealthCare of Statesville after a period of declining health. She had been a resident of Maple Leaf for a few months and had previously been a resident of The Gardens Assisted Living of Statesville for a period of time. She was born in 1940 in Iredell County to the late Hoyt and Sarah Crater Huie and graduated from Union Grove High School. She first married Andy Cartner and the couple made their home on the Cartner family farm on Old Mocksville Road, where they reared children Andria, Amy, and Chris. In 1983 Luecree moved to Harmony and in 1996 married Billy Nicholson, who died in 2013. Retired as a banking customer service representative from Branch Banking and Trust (BB&T); she enjoyed gardening, working in her yard, and being with her family and friends. A service celebrating her life was held last Thursday afternoon at Winthrop Friends Meeting of Harmony, where she was an active member; she was laid to rest in the church cemetery.

Alice C. Waugh remains in rehab at Davie Nursing and Rehab Center of Mocksville. Join us in prayer for the Lord’s divine healing and blessings upon Alice and other residents who are having health problems. Pray for the Lord’s support and blessings upon the family of Luecree as they miss her dearly.

Continue to remember in prayer those families affected by the tragic collapse of the condo unit building in Florida; as of last Sunday there were 90 confirmed deaths and 31 still missing. Continue to pray for the families affected by the coronavirus, and pray that folks will get vaccinated.

Tribute to Students

Our County Line community is always proud of our students of all ages, especially when they achieve a life goal or honor. This year we recognize these students for such achievements:

• Claire Brown  –  Davie County High 10th grade A Honor Student; daughter of Paul & Ashly LaRoche-Brown;

• Layla Caldwell  –  graduated from Davie County High May 2021; plans to enter Lenoir Rhyne University in the fall; daughter of Amy Card and granddaughter of the late Jerry and Ginger Card;

• Zachary Cartner – graduated from Western Carolina University with bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing May 2021, son of Douglas and Jennifer Cartner and grandson of Betty Cartner and the late Lawrence Cartner;

• C. J. Dwiggins – graduated from Fayetteville State University with bachelor’s degree in fire and emergency services administration May 2021, enrolled in graduate program “Public Safety Leadership” at Arizona State University, wife of Katrina Dwiggins and son of Priscilla S. Dwiggins and the late Jim Dwiggins;

• Katie Koontz – graduated from Winston-Salem State University with bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science; daughter of Brian and Donna Koontz and granddaughter of Jack and Kay Koontz and Priscilla S. Dwiggins and the late Jim Dwiggins;

• Kendall Stroud – graduated from North Iredell High in May 2020 and from US Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot/Parris Island, S.C. in April 2021, in special training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.,  son of Kevin and Angie Stroud and grandson of Jim and Imogene M. Stroud;

• Katie Sweatman – graduated from Wingate University in May 2021 with bachelor’s degree in elementary education, will begin teaching kindergarten at Cooleemee Elementary in the fall, wife of Clint Sweatman;

• Ian Wall – graduated with honors from North Iredell High in May 2021, has been sworn into the US Air Force Reserve and plans to attend UNC Charlotte after basic and specialized training next year and is interested in cyber intelligence/security, son of the Rev. Dr. Cliff and Christi Wall;

• Caleb Williams – graduated from Cooleemee Elementary School in May 2021 and was an A/B honor student, son of Perry and Vickie Williams and grandson of LaVerne W. Sullivan;

• Mallory Williams – graduated from Caldwell Technical Community College with an associate degree in communication services and disorders in May 2021, will enter Appalachian State University in the fall, daughter of Mark and Michele Williams and granddaughter of Harvey and Janice Williams; and

• Hannah York – graduated from Ashe County High in May 2021, will enter Montreat College in the fall, daughter of the Rev. Kevin and  Jennifer York.

Our community is proud of the achievements of these students and send each of them congratulations and our best wishes for future endeavors. Regardless of age, it is important for us  to continue to learn, set goals, and strive to do our best.  Again, congratulations to each of you.