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By Shirley Thorne

County Line Correspondent

Summer vacation for County Line students will soon be over as public schools in Davie and Iredell begin next month. We are proud of our young folks and their educational achievements.  This year we again recognize graduates and those achieving honors.

• Rilynn Bailey, William R. Davie kindergarten graduate, daughter of Casey and Bridgett Bailey, granddaughter of Dan and Marlene Hutchens.

• Claire Brown, “A” honor roll, 11th grade, Davie County High School, daughter of Paul and Ashly LaRoche Brown.

• Jamaica Clement, Lexington Senior High School Class of ’22, son of Junior Clement, grandson of Willie and Brenda Clement, attending Central Michigan University in fall.

• Jaycee Dickerson, South Iredell High School Class of ’22, daughter of Grant and Susan Dickerson, granddaughter of Johnny and Claudine Bell, attending Mitchell Community College in fall.

• Carly Etzkorn, associate degree in dental hygiene, Catawba Valley Community College, daughter of Dennis and Carrie Etzkorn, granddaughter of Sue Jones and the late Allen Jones, currently working as dental hygienist in Statesville.

• Madelyn Kurfees, bachelor’s degree in consumer apparel and retail studies, and in business, UNC-G, daughter of Charles and Kay Stroud Kurfees, granddaughter of Jim and Imogene Stroud, working for Kontoor Brands of Greensboro.

• Gunner Lassiter, William R. Davie kindergarten graduate, son of Michael and April Lassiter, grandson of Dan and Marlene Hutchens.

• Landon Lowtharpe, North Iredell High School Class of ’22, son of Louie and Lorri Lowtharpe, grandson of Betty Seamon Lowtharpe and the late Jerry Lowtharpe and Tom Perrow, attending the University of Mount Olive Agricultural School in fall.

• Za’Haree Maddox, Davie County High School Class of ’22, son of Angela Holland, grandson of Darlene Rivers, attending UNC-Asheville in fall.

• Stella Muir, North Iredell High School Class of ’22, daughter of Deanne Muir, granddaughter of Wes and Kim Muir, attending UNC-G in fall to study theater.

• Riley Taylor, “A” honor roll, perfect attendance, IB design & technology award, Crosby Scholar, Oakwood IB School 6th grade, daughter of David and Melanie N.Taylor, granddaughter of Johnny and Mary Elizabeth Nantz.

• Caleb Williams, “A” honor roll, South Davie Middle School 6th grade, son of Perry and Vickie Williams, grandson of Laverne W. Williams Sullivan and the late William Junior “Sonny” Williams.

Our community congratulates these students and wish them well in their endeavors. To those pursuing higher education, may you continue to excel in your future studies. Always remember: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Society Baptist Church will have a Bible study for women at 7 p.m. today (Thursday on “Mary Magdalene.”  The group invites others.

Upcoming community events: food booth sale sponsored by Piney Grove AME Zion Church at US Hwy 21 Yard Sale” Harmony section July 29-30; Vacation Bible School at Clarksbury Methodist July 31 from 5:30-8 p.m. and Aug. 1-2 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; and Vacation Bible School at Society Baptist July 31 from 6-8 p.m. and Aug. 1-3 from 6-8 p.m. with meal served at 5:30.

Our community extends sympathy to the family of Carol Purcell Brazel, who died the evening of July 8 after suffering a heart attack. She was born in 1951 in Michigan to the late Bob and Bessie Purcell. She graduated from Ferris State College and then married Richard Brazel in March 1975. She had worked at Harger CPA and as financial secretary for Saint John’s Lutheran Church. Carol and Richard joined in worship at Clarksbury United Methodist Church; where she had served as Sunday school teacher, church secretary, and other positions. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, and traveling. A service celebrating her life was held last Friday evening at Clarksbury.  Burial will be in Chapel Hills Memorial Gardens in Lansing, Mich.

We extend sympathy to the family of Charles Dwight “Jack” Stroud, who died Tuesday of last week.  The fourth of six children, he was born in Davie County in 1934 to the late Bruce and Mae Evans Stroud of County Line.  He was reared on Stroud Mill Road, formerly County Line Road, and attended Society Baptist with his family. He attended Cool Spring High School and married Mary Galliher in July 1955. After serving in the US Army from 1955 to 1957,  Jack and Mary settled on Turnersburg Hwy in Iredell County and reared children Danny, Tim, and Vicky. The family joined in worship at Hebron Baptist Church, where he had served as a deacon. Jack worked at Southern Screw of Statesville for more than 32 years and was retired from Statesville Auto Auction. A graveside service celebrating his life was held Sunday afternoon in the Hebron Baptist Church Cemetery; he was laid to rest beside his beloved Mary, who died March 2001.

Our community sends get-well wishes to the Rev. Brandon Gwaltney, who had femur/hip surgery at Iredell Memorial Hospital last Monday. Rayford “Tink” McDaniel continues to rest at home with palliative care. Alice Waugh remains in rehab at Davie Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Join us in prayer for the Lord’s divine healing and blessings upon these residents and others who are having health problems.

Pray for the Lord’s comfort and strength  upon the families of Carol and Jack as they deeply miss their loved ones. Also, continue to pray for those affected by covid as its variants are highly contagious.

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