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By Shirley Thorne

County Line Correspondent

Memorial Day, an American holiday, is observed the last Monday in May to honor those military men and women who died while serving in our military.  This elite group paid the ultimate price – their lives – for our protection and freedom. Our community is forever indebted to these young men and women and their “Gold Star” families for their sacrifice.

We again remember these young men from our community who gave their life for our protection and freedom:

• Civil War   –   James F. Cartner, Solomon M. Daywalt, M. L. Granger, and Henry P. Kesler;

• World War I    –    Lemuel “Lem” Keller; and

• World War II    –    Billy Daywalt, Adren Koontz, James C. Moore, James Edward Stroud, and John Wilson.

No words can ever express the depth of our gratitude and respect to their families. If you know any of the relatives of these young men, please call them to express your gratitude for their sacrifice. The heart ache “Gold Star” families   –   parents, spouses, siblings, etc. – bear is tremendous.

County Liners continue to venture out a little more each week and community events are being planned.

Piney Grove AME Zion Church will host a cruise-in Saturday, June 5  at 10 a.m. with fish, barbecue, and hotdog sandwiches plus soft drinks and bottled water for sale.  Everyone is invited to come and show their vintage vehicles and enjoy a time of family fellowship.

Following the AME Zion district conference, Piney Grove church members are happy that Pastor John Phifer has been re-appointed their pastor.

Clarksbury United Methodist Church will celebrate Graduates’ Day Sunday, June 6. Special schedule of services will be Sunday school at 9 a.m. with outdoor worship at 10 a.m.  Following worship, there will be a barbecue and hotdog picnic dinner under the shelter. Church members invite others.

V-Point Ruritans continue to be active in the  community. At their recent meeting, the club presented Elijah Hurt with the club scholarship for 2021. Club members Wes Muir, Willie Clemmon, and Rodney Grove burned a brush pile for a disabled veteran in the area.

Our community extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Linda Sue Gaither Mastin, who died Saturday evening, May 22, at Iredell Memorial Hospital after a period of declining health.  One of four children, she was born in Davie County in 1944 to the late John Wesley Gaither and the late Cleo Seamon Gaither of County Line. She was reared on US 64 West just east of Ridge and Society roads, helped her family in the farming business, and faithfully attended Society Baptist. In 1962 she graduated from Cool Spring High School; where she was a member of Future Teachers of America and Future Homemakers of America and a sophomore aide. Her career began with earning an associate degree and later being the first woman to finish an apprenticeship to work on nuclear submarines for the US Navy as a federal employee and the first woman to work as a machinist on US Navy vessels. In 1979 she married John Mastin; the couple bought a farm on US 64 West at Vanzant Road and enjoyed farming and visits from their children and families. Sue and John joined in worship at Calvary Baptist Church and later became active members of Ijames Baptist Church. Kind and caring, Sue was a dedicated caregiver for her mother Cleo and helped with Meals on Wheels. A service celebrating her life was held last Friday afternoon at Ijames Baptist Church; she was laid to rest in the church cemetery near her mother, who died February 2020.         

We send get-well wishes to DeeDee Carpenter, Carol Wooten Holton, Edith Stroud Johnson, and Alice Cartner Waugh. DeeDee was hospitalized with an infection and is recuperating at home.  Carol was to have surgery this past Tuesday.  Edith was hospitalized for surgery and is recuperating at home.  Alice has entered Maple Leaf Healthcare of Statesville for additional rehab.  Terry Correll has improved and is recuperating at home.

Join us in prayer for the Lord’s divine healing and blessings upon DeeDee, Carol, Edith, Alice, Terry, and other residents who are having health problems. Pray for the Lord’s comfort and blessings upon the family of Sue as they adjust to life without her. Continue to pray for the families affected by the coronavirus.

It’s graduation time and we will again honor our graduates this year. If you are, or know of, a graduate or one receiving special recognition or a certificate the past year; please email a photo with information to sdtlink@hotmail.com to be included in our tribute to our students.

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