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By Shirley Thorne

County Line Correspondent

The Thanksgiving holidays will soon be here; however, many church fellowship dinners have been canceled.  Many folks will again celebrate with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but perhaps there will be fewer family members at the table this year since medical professionals recommend to avoid traveling and facts show family gatherings are a virus spreader.

Sadly, there are many families are having difficult financial times and may not have a bountiful dinner. This year the Baptist Men of Society did not have their annual dinner-auction fundraiser for Thanksgiving-dinner groceries for families of need in our area.  However, they are collecting monetary donations to buy the groceries. Perhaps you have plenty and would like to help some family less fortunate.  If so, please call Johnny Nantz on 704-929-8199 or Gene Tutterow on 336-408-0405.

Our local churches have these service schedules this week, but please contact the church for any updates weather may require:

• Calvary Baptist, no services until Sunday, Nov. 29;

• Clarksbury United Methodist, outdoor Sunday worship at 10 a.m. and indoor special “Book of John” Bible study at 7 p.m. Thursday, both with masks and social distancing;

• Piney Grove AME Zion, indoor Sunday school at 10 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m.;

• Pleasant View Baptist, regular indoor services Sunday and Wednesday;

• Salem United Methodist, indoor Sunday worship at 9:30 a.m. with social distancing and masks in the sanctuary; and

• Society Baptist, indoor Sunday worship at 11 a.m. with message by Gene Tutterow in fellowship hall,  Wednesday night prayer and Bible service at 7 in sanctuary,  no Sunday night service.

Upcoming community events include a live “Christmas Nativity” drive-thru from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 11-12 at Clarksbury United Methodist Church.

Our community sends congratulations to Jennifer West and Zachary “Zack” Wallace, who were married  Saturday, Oct. 3 at The Barn of Cranberry Creek in Boonville. Jennifer is the daughter of Terry and Shirley Koontz West and granddaughter of the late Roy and Clara Sain West and the late Roy and Nancy Cartner Koontz, all of Ridge Road.  Zachary is the son of Stephen and Vickie Wallace of Harmony. The couple is making their home on Powell Bridge Road in Harmony.

We also send congratulations to Toby Sellers and Eva Hicks, who were married last Saturday afternoon at Calvary Baptist Church in Statesville. Toby is the son of Robin and Glen Sellers of Vaughn Mill Road and grandson of Lucille Houston Beck and the late Tom Beck of Stroud Road. Eva is the daughter of Thomas Hicks of Harmony and the late Leslie Hicks. The couple will make their home on Vaughn Mill Road after a honeymoon to Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Our community extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Ann Faires Cartner, who died Thursday morning of last week at Wilkesboro Health and Habitation. She had been in declining health the past few years. One of two children, she was born in 1932 to the late Clyde Allison and Della Beatty Faires in Clover, S.C. She and her husband William Lonnie “Bill” Cartner, whom she married in 1965, made their home on the Cartner family farm on Old Mocksville Road near Vaughn Mill Road.  The couple then joined in worship at Society Baptist Church; where she was a dedicated member, Sunday school teacher, and member of the Young-at-Heart as long as her health permitted.  She was retired from Schneider Mills after more than sixty years of service.  An avid reader, she also enjoyed sending greeting cards to friends and spending time with her family.  A graveside service celebrating her life was held last Monday afternoon at Society Baptist Church Cemetery; she was laid to rest beside her beloved husband Bill, who died August 1991.

We send get-well wishes to Melanie West Walker, who was hospitalized for a few weeks with an infection and has been recuperating at home since last week.  Kevin Stroud remains at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.  Clark Young has been recuperating at home since Tuesday of last week; he continues to be treated for heart rhythm problems.  Faye Stroud continues to rest at home while under treatment for cancer.

Join us in prayer for the Lord’s divine healing and blessings upon Melanie, Kevin, Clark, Faye, and other residents who are having health problems.  Pray for the Lord’s comfort and support upon the family of Ann.  Please especially remember Melanie and her family in prayer; her husband Stephen “Steve” died at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center on November 8, the day after Melanie came home from the hospital, and a graveside service was held last Saturday.

Continue to pray for the many families in our area affected by the coronavirus.   Being unable to be with loved ones as they are dying is difficult and sad.