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By Shirley Thorne

County Line Correspondent

County Liners continue to enjoy the warmer temps and increased hours of daylight. Spring is 17 days away. Churches are beginning to have special services and plan for Easter events.

Piney Grove AME Zion Church had special services recognizing “Black History Month” last week. Guest speaker on Sunday was Dr. Patrece Templeton of Statesville, an exceptional children’s director with the Winston-Salem /Forsyth County Schools. She emphasized the importance of getting an education, striving to do one’s best, and developing good ethical work practices early in life.  A ’91 graduate of North Iredell High; Dr. Templeton earned a bachelor’s degree from UNC-Charlotte in 1995, master’s from Appalachian State University in 2013, and doctorate of education from Wingate University in 2017.

Piney Grove also hosted a conference-call seminar on “Encouraging Black Entrepreneurism” Thursday evening. Five business owners in the area (John Phifer, Eric Hargrove, Shanlyn Nichols, Vincent Cockerham, and Danette Redmon)  discussed the ups and downs of owning a business and answered questions from attendees. Daniel Brown gave an interesting and realistic presentation of problems many business owners face.

Calvary Baptist continues to have only Sunday morning worship services.  All other services and meetings are still canceled.

Our community extends sympathy to the family of Brenda Boger Swisher, who died Thursday of last week at Gordon Hospice House of Statesville after a brief hospital stay and period of declining health. The youngest of six children, she was born in 1945 in Davie County to the late Thomas Holloway, Sr. and Mattie Latham Boger of County Line. She was reared on Godbey Road near Davie Academy Road and attended Salem United Methodist Church with her family. In 1961 she graduated from Cool Spring High School, where she was a member of Future Homemakers of America, Glee, and 4-H clubs. She later moved with her parents from Godbey Road to Crescent Drive. In December 1967 she married Fred Swisher and he joined her in worship at Salem. The couple built a home beside her parents in 1968 and welcomed the birth of son Roy in 1969. Brenda was a caregiver for her parents and was an active member of the auxiliary of the County Line VFD. After her retirement from Lexington Home Brands, she worked for Tyson Foods and retired after 20 years, about 12 weeks before her death. A service celebrating her life was held Sunday at Salem United Methodist Church, where she had been a lifetime faithful member; she joined in rest with other family members in the church cemetery.

We send get-well wishes to Mildred Benfield, Lorene Macemore, Rayford McDaniel, and Betty Lou G. Richardson. Mildred has diabetic problems at Iredell Memorial Hospital. Lorene had respiratory emergency treatment last week and is recuperating at home. Rayford has declined in health and is under palliative care at home. Betty Lou has been at Iredell Memorial Hospital and had back surgery last week. Carol Brazel has been transferred from the Sticht Center to the intensive care of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Mary Kelly has improved and is now recuperating at home.  Jenny C. Turner continues to improve but remains in rehab at Davie Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Alice C. Waugh remains in rehab at Davie Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Join us in prayer for all. For news and memories to share, please call Shirley on 336-492-5115 or email sdtlink@hotmail.com.