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By Shirley Thorne

County Line Correspondent

As the number of coronavirus cases and related deaths continue to increase in our area, County Liners continue to shelter-in and I’ve heard of no planned community events other than these church services:

Calvary Baptist, Sunday worship at 11 a.m.; Clarksbury United Methodist, outdoor Sunday worship at 10 a.m. and Bible study at 7 p.m.  Thursday; Piney Grove AME Zion, outdoor Sunday worship at 10 a.m.; Pleasant View Baptist, regular indoor services Sunday and Wednesday; Salem United Methodist, Sunday worship at 9:30 a.m.  in the sanctuary, social distancing and masks recommended; and Society Baptist, Sunday worship at 11 a.m. in the fellowship hall; no Sunday evening service; Bible study and prayer at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the education building; masks and social distancing recommended.

For the well-being of all folks in our community, the above services are streamed online via FaceBook, YouTube, or church website.

Our community extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Jeanette Cartner Turner, who died of a massive heart attack  Thursday of last week at Forsyth Medical Center. She had been in declining health the past year since being diagnosed with cancer.

The second of three children, she was born in Iredell County in 1937 to the late Clyde “Boo” and Blanche Richardson Cartner of Cartner Road at Old Mocksville Road. In 1955 she graduated from Harmony High School, where she was active in several clubs and was a cheerleader.  She then married her high school sweetheart Cool Springer Jim Turner of Mr. Henry Road. The couple made their home in Winston-Salem, where they reared son Alex.  She worked for R.J. Reynolds from May 1955 to her retirement thirty-two years later. She then helped with her husband’s business in Winston-Salem.  Jeanette was active in several clubs including Red Hat Society, Woodmen Life, and Memories of Santa. The couple attended Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, where she was involved in church programs.

A graveside service celebrating her life was held last Tuesday morning at Parklawn Memorial Cemetery in Winston-Salem, and she was laid to rest there.

We extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Betty Snider Stroud, who died last Saturday morning at Gordon Hospice House following hospitalization and a period of declining health.

The sixth of eight children and the last surviving one, she was born in Davie County in 1929 to the late Phillip and Ada Murphy Snider of Davie – South Calahaln.  She attended the first and second grades at Davie Academy;  when it closed in the spring of 1937, she transferred to Cool Spring High School and graduated in 1947.

When the Snider family lived on Ridge Road near US 64 West, she was an active member of Society Baptist Church, where she met her future husband Kenneth Stroud in 1950. The couple was married by Society Pastor W.B. Rimmer in 1951 at his home in Troutman, and they lived with his parents about two years before moving to Statesville, where Betty clerked at Statesville Rexall Drug.

In 1958 they returned to County Line as they joined his brother Junior in owner/operation of Stroud Brothers’ Amoco, where they and children Gary and Susan lived in an upstairs apartment, and after a year owned/operated the business as Ken’s Amoco until 1978 when they closed the business. In the late 1970s the couple built a house on a farm on Davie Academy Road they bought in 1962 and later operated a chicken and beef farm business.

Betty then worked for Hanes Hosiery for ten years. The couple became charter members of Calvary Baptist Church when it was built in 1984 on land they donated.

A graveside service celebrating her life was held yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon in the cemetery of Calvary Baptist Church, where she had been a dedicated member, church treasurer, choir member, and Women’s Missionary Union member;  she was laid to rest beside her beloved husband Ken, who died April 1917.

Betty has been our coordinator for Calvary Baptist events and announcements  for our weekly County Line community news since its beginning September 2003.  Our community greatly appreciates her dedication and special contribution to our favored County Line “flash-backs.”  She will definitely be missed.       

Our community sends get-well wishes to Shirley Prather Lewis; who fell at home Monday of last week, broke her hip, had surgery at Iredell Memorial Hospital, and was transferred to Bermuda Village for rehab last Monday.  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 Shirley, Faye, and  others who are having health problems.  Pray for the Lord’s comfort and strength upon the families of Jeanette and Betty as they adjust to life without their loved one.  Remember in prayer Carol Ann Holton, whose brother-in-law Jeff Holton died Thursday of last week at Gordon Hospice House of Statesville.

Continue to pray for the many families in our area affected by the coronavirus.  Pray for our country as the count of infection cases continues to increase and there are hospitals at capacity in many cities.  Last Monday afternoon our state had recorded almost 7600 coronavirus-related deaths, and there were currently almost 3850 coronavirus hospitalizations.  Our state’s positive test rate had also decreased to 13.93, but that rate needs to be 5.0 or below.  Just please wear a mask and social distance when among others.

I cannot end this news column without a plea to pray fervently for our country and its democracy. In my 76 years of life there have never been a citizens’ attack on our Capitol and attempt to overthrow our democracy as happened Wednesday afternoon of last week.  Dec. 7, 1941, was as President Roosevelt said a day “to live in infamy.” Now Jan. 6, 2021 will be such a day.  There are now more armed threats toward our Capitol and the capital cities in each state between now and Jan. 20. Please pray for peace and that our country will continue to be a shining democracy to the world.      

For news and memories to share, please call Shirley on 336-492-5115 or email sdtlink@hotmail.com.