By Shirley Thorne

County Line Correspondent

Our community is blessed to be spared the severe force of Irma but we regret that some states had much damage. As you can see from our photos, our community is proud  of Quamaine Imes of Piney Grove AME Zion Church. We hope you will support him with your vote as he pursues his dream of being the next “American Idol.” This week we continue with another church homecoming plus some good eating.

Begin your weekend with breakfast with the Salem folks from 6-10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 16.  Proceeds benefit the building fund.

Buy food from 4 p.m. until dark Saturday at the fundraiser benefiting the travel expenses of Quamaine to the “American Idol” audition sites. The fundraiser will be at Cartner’s Food Mart at US 64 West and NC 901. From the time he was a preschooler, he has sung gospel songs with his family and in his church choirs.

Society Baptist Church will celebrate homecoming Sunday, Sept. 17. The Rev. Delane Burris of Grace Baptist Church of Albemarle will bring the message at the 11 a.m. service. A covered-dish dinner will follow in the fellowship hall. Everyone is invited to bring a basket filled with food and memories to share.  The church was established in 1821 with 12 men and 16 women charter members.

The annual Piney Grove AME Zion Youth Choir Reunion will be at 3 p.m. this Sunday.

Salem United Methodist Church will have a “fellowship hall note burning” at 6 p.m. Sunday followed by an ice cream social in the fellowship hall.

The Women on Missions of Society Baptist will meet at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21 in the fellowship hall. They invite others as they pursue mission needs and projects in North  Carolina.

Our community sends congratulations to the Clarksbury ECA upon winning first place at the Iredell County Agricultural Fair for a booth on “bees helping save our crops and food supply.” Club members who worked on the booth were Joyce Dobson, Kim Dobson, and Kristen Benfield.

The Clarksbury ECA recently hosted a party for the  Olin Assisted Living Center residents, who were treated to refreshments and received gifts. Those helping with the party were Carol and Max Jones, Joyce and J. P. Trivette, and Rebekah Stroud.

Our community extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Pamela “Pam” Wilson Brinkley, who died of an extensive infection Tuesday of last week at Forsyth Medical Center after a period of declining health.  She was born in 1956 in Davie County to the late Octavia “Tip” or “Tippy” Wilson Clement of Ridge Road.  She was reared on the Wilson family farm off Ridge Road and was an active member of Piney Grove AME Zion Church in her youth. She attended school in Davie County and later attended Surry Community College, where she earned a certified nursing assistant (CNA) license.  She married Dan Brinkley and the couple made their home in Winston-Salem, where they reared son Curtis. A retired professional CNA, Pam also enjoyed being a homemaker. A memorial service celebrating her life was held  last Sunday evening at the chapel of Graham Funeral Home of Mocksville.  Per her request her ashes were to be spread over her mother’s and grandmother’s graves in the cemetery of Piney Grove AME Zion Church.

We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Rebecca Jane “Becky” or “Christine” Thorne Winecoff, who died Wednesday of last week at Gordon Hospice House of Statesville.  She had suffered from rheumatoid arthritis for several years but had a severe stroke the Wednesday before her death. She was transferred from Forsyth Medical Center ICU to Gordon Hospice House the day before her death. The youngest of three children, she was born in 1940 in Davie County to the late Millard Foster, Sr., and Lucille Koontz Thorne.  Initially the family lived on Ridge Road near Ketchie Creek and later moved to Davie Avenue in Statesville.  She attended Statesville schools and attended Salem United Methodist Church, where she married J.M. McHargue in 1956. The couple made their home in Statesville, where they reared their three daughters. In 1981 she married Kenny Winecoff and the couple made their home in the Wayside area of Iredell. Becky was well known for her cake baking and decorating and was retired from Winn-Dixie as deli manager. A memorial service celebrating her life was held Saturday at Christ Boulevard United Methodist Church, where she was a longtime member.     

Our community sends get-well wishes to Polly Foster Barker and Bob Lewis.  Polly has been hospitalized for stent procedure at Iredell Memorial Hospital.  Bob  was hospitalized last week and is recuperating at home now.  Madeline Jones has improved and is recuperating at home.  Buck McSwain remains in rehab at Autumn Care of Mocksville.

Join us in prayer for the Lord’s divine healing and blessings upon Polly, Bob, Madeline, Buck, and other residents who are having health problem.  Pray for the Lord’s comfort and strength upon the families of Pam and Becky as they adjust to life without their loved ones. Continue to pray for those families affected by Harvey and Irma.  If able, please support the Houston and Irma relief efforts.

For news and memories to share; please call Shirley on 336-492-5115, text 336-492-5115, email sdtlink@hotmail.com or message Shirley Thorne via Facebook.