By Sharon Griffin
Personal Mention
AVON PARK (FL): Bob Barben was inducted into The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame during the 50th Anniversary Citrus Celebration, Mar. 2.
BACK CREEK (NC): The following couples recently celebrated milestone anniversaries: Paul & Betty Griffith (54 years, Jan. 28), Mary Catherine & John Scott (62 years, Mar. 4), Winifred & Bill Turner (66 years, Mar. 22). Mattie Webber turned 95 on Jan. 16.
BETHEL (AL): Kathryn Crocker, Olivia Dale, and Claudia Dale were recognized for memorizing and reciting the Ten Commandments.
BOYCE MEMORIAL (NC): The church recently welcomed Major Mathew Bunch home after his second year-long tour of duty in Afghanistan.
BRIGHTON (TN): Alexi Starnes was chosen for Academic All-Stars. Mary Grace Simon- ton took first place in her swim meet. Her time was 28.14 which is a Southeastern Conference, College A time.
BURLINGTON FIRST (NC): Jack Snow was a state qualifier in wrestling for Graham High School. Gene & Helen Parks celebrated 60 years of marriage Feb. 8, and Arnold & Jean McKinnon celebrated 59 years Feb. 21.
CAMDEN (AL): Watson & Anne Jones celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary Jan. 29.
CHAPEL BY THE SEA (FL): On Jan. 23, Rev. David Walkup was presented with an Honorary Doctor of Ministry degree by the National Clergy Council in Washington, D.C.
COLUMBIA FIRST (SC): Nathanael Moore has been named a National Merit Scholar Finalist from Ben Lippen School. Parents are Scott & Julie Moore, ARP missionaries to Mexico.
EBENEZER (SC): William & Peggy Chapman celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Jan. 25.
EDGEMOOR (SC): Kristi Murphy was named to the President’s List for the fall semester at USC-Lancaster. Katie Cok recently began training at Parris Island for the Marine Corps. Shannon Moree was recently named Teacher of the Year for Sugar Creek Elementary School.
EFFINGHAM (SC): Mary Jean Weatherly celebrated her 84th birthday recently.
FAITH (Merritt Island, FL): Edith Neese recently celebrated her 90th birthday.
FAYETTEVILLE (TN): Carly Fee and James Fee were 7th grade representatives at Fay- etteville Middle School’s basketball homecoming. Matthew Powelson was project engineer for Lincoln County High School’s Falcon One Team which took first place in Best Proposal and Best Presentation in a design engineering competition at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Glenn Beech was awarded by BMA Properties for being a million dollar producer in 2011. Katherine Calvin has been selected a docent for the Nashville Parthenon.
GASTONIA FIRST (NC): Erica Fretz represented second grade for her school at the regional ACSI spelling bee March 6 in Winston-Salem. Megan Balsom made the fall President’s List at Wingate University. She also was a piano performer in the Honor’s Re-ital at Wingate January 24. Grady Pearson, Kathryn Painter, and Megan Pearson won individual honors at the NC Mock Trial regional competition. William Anthony was also a team member. Couples celebrating special wedding anniversaries recently are: Widdy & Bob Barnhill (61 years, Feb. 9), Pat & Dan McCurry (53 years, Feb. 14), Jo Ann & Bob Sytz, (54 years, Feb. 15), Gloria & Don Wilson (50 years, Feb. 18). Molly Brown made Appalachian State University’s fall Dean’s List. Carson Carr won his class spelling bee. Sarah Parker has been inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Carolina Health & Sciences in Charlotte.
GREENVILLE (SC): Jane Dendy celebrated her 88th birthday on Mar. 9. Sam Hiller and Rivers Hiller recently swam in the SC State Swim Meet. Sasha Schumacher received first place in the statewide high school photography contest. Jackson Moore won the Music Club Federation for the Upstate’s piano competition. He is also alternate to compete at the state level.
LAKE WALES (FL): Frank Hunt, II, was inducted into The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame at the 50th Anniversary Citrus Celebration, Mar. 2.
MOORESVILLE (NC): Margaret Lamberth turned 90 on Feb. 11.
MOUNT ZION (MO): Vera Placker recently celebrated her 90th birthday.
NEELY’S CREEK (SC): Zach Costner recently performed in the Rock Hill Piano Teachers’ Forum piano recital at Winthrop University. Lucille Williams recently celebrated her 98th birthday.
NEW ALBANY (MS): Shelby & Ancia Lowery recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
ORA (SC): Lesslie Blakely was awarded Best Adult in a youth performance at the Laurens County Community Theater Awards Gala. Eden Robertson was selected to serve as a page in the Kentucky State Senate on Feb. 14. Lauren McClintock was on the President’s List for the fall term at Winthrop University.
PISGAH (NC): Kaylie Crawford made the All- County Middle School Honor Band.
PROVIDENCE (NC): Bryson Bassett was awarded 1st Chair in the saxophone section and named Most Improved Band Student in the 6th grade band at his school. Sydney Marquand and Miranda Marquand were selected to participate in the All-County Band for Gaston County. Miranda was also selected to represent her school in the Big South AAA Swim Conference in Kings Mountain. Bailey Marquand, member of the Sharps and Flats Junior Music Club, received an Excellent rating in the National Federation Junior Festival. Olivia Burton turned 101 on Mar. 10.
RICHLAND (TN): Billy Wayne & Gail Stroud celebrated 54 years of marriage Feb. 14. Sara Shepherd was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society Mar. 1.
SEBRING (FL): Those celebrating special birthdays recently were: Joan Scarpati (83rd, Jan. 9), George Martin (83rd, Jan. 25), Nancy Stephens (88th, Feb. 1), Merle Lyle (92nd, Feb. 3), Louise Snidow (85th, Feb. 12), Thelma Denning (85th, Feb. 18), Penny Pineo (95th, Feb. 21), Mary King (95th, Feb. 27). Special wedding anniversaries recently marked were: Bill & Louise Shubert (57 years, Jan.15), Don & Nancy Davis (59 years, Feb. 7), Cliff & Kathy Shisler (52 years, Feb. 27).
TRINITY (FL): J. V. Horne recently celebrated his 90th birthday.
UNITY (Lancaster, SC): Jean Couick McWhorter celebrated her 80th birthday in March.
WILDHURST (VA): Percy Moore turned 82 years of age on Feb. 1. Estelle Hackworthcelebrated her 98th birthday on Mar. 3.
Marriages
BETHANY (MS): Olivia Taylor Frazier & Clifton Miles Shurden, Oct. 27.
DUE WEST (SC): Matthew Steban Balard & Leah Lynette Cogswell, Jan. 28.
COLUMBIA FIRST(SC): Anna Brennecke & Matt Dowdey, Feb. 4. Priscilla Larkin & Trevor Harris, Feb. 18.
GREENWOOD (SC): Julianne Davis & Dezi Loven, Feb. 20. Laurel Barron & William B. Patrick, Sr., Mar. 3.
Births
COLUMBIA FIRST (SC): Julia & John Choate, a daughter Elizabeth Tucker, Jan. 31. Bethany & Brian Love, a daughter Peyton Elizabeth, Feb. 7. Ashley & Nathan Stratton, a son Grant Benjamin, Feb. 7. Schelyn & Todd Flippin, a son Thomas Calhoun, Feb. 9. Dara & Patrick Ward, a daughter Leah Clare, Feb. 21. Elizabeth & John Reading, a daughter Mary Burns, Feb. 27. Jamie & Brandon Smith, a daughter Berkeley Elizabeth, Mar. 3.
COMMUNION (CA): Edward & Angel Moorlach, a daughter Mar. 15.
CRAIG AVE./TABERNACLE (NC): Daniel & Ashlee Wells, a son Ralph Franklin, Feb. 10.
EBENEZER (SC): Jeremy & Amanda Ghent, a daughter Lydia Elise, Feb. 11.
EDGEMOOR (SC): Brian & Bee Murphy, a son Aidan Murphy, Feb. 2.
FAYETTEVILLE (TN): Brannon & Katie Templeton, a daughter Emma Caroline, Feb. 2.
FRENCH CAMP (MS): Marcus & Somer Rodriguez, a son Joseph Luke, Feb. 13.
FROSTPROOF (FL): Greg & Katie Spurgeon, a daughter Adalyn Heart, Jan. 12.
GREENVILLE (SC): Casey & Wes Page, a daughter Harper Elizabeth, Jan. 30. Emily & Jenks Patrick, a daughter Mary Deck, Jan. 31. Kristina & David Junker, a son Thomas George, Mar. 4.
MOUNT ZION (MO): Chris & Kelsi Conner, a son Easton Matthew, Feb. 19.
NEW ALBANY (MS): Stephen & Renee Ewing, a son Wesley Reed, Mar. 1.
OLD PROVIDENCE (VA): Charles & Hope Lowery, a daughter Destiny Jean, Feb. 8.
PISGAH (NC): Patrick & Krista Kiser, a daughter Eller Grace, Jan. 13.
SHEPHERD ROAD (FL): Jeremy & Sarah Lazanowski, a son Luke Anthony, Feb. 24.
Deaths
AVON PARK (FL): Dee Ingalls died Jan. 7.
BACK CREEK (NC): Ruby Alderman, 83, Sunday school teacher, died Dec. 24. Ola Mae Harkey, 82, died Jan. 16.
BALLSTON CENTER (NY): Diana Cleary Brandt, 57, died Jan. 21.
BRIGHTON (TN): Billy Marvin Trotter, 81, lifelong member, deacon, elder, died Feb. 29.
BOYCE MEMORIAL (NC): Bernice Fraley Bunch, 85, died Feb. 3.
BURLINGTON FIRST (NC): Arnold Edward McKinnon, 81, died Feb. 23.
CENTENNIAL (SC): Grace Collins Simpson, 104, oldest member, died Jan. 16.
CLEVELAND STREET (MS): Martha Emma Shannon, 86, died Dec. 11.
CLOVER (SC): James Meeks Dickson, 89, deacon, elder, former moderator of General Synod, father of Mrs. Gilbert (Robin) Rowell, died Mar. 16.
COLUMBIA FIRST (SC): Andrew Lyman Hall, Jr., 66, died Aug. 22. Andrew Eugene Groves, Sr., deacon, elder, died Oct. 8. Doro- thy S. Wilson, 81, died Jan. 18. Jane Epps deWitt, 84, wife of former moderator, Rev. John R. deWitt, died Feb. 3. Diane Gardiner Okoniewski, 68, died Mar. 13.
COVENANT (Statesville, NC ): Mary Wetmore Gaither, 97, choir member, died Jan. 7.
CRAIG AVE./TABERNACLE (NC): Esther Covington Caton, 80, died Feb. 3.
DUE WEST (SC): Mary Harrington Steele, 97, widow of Rev. J. Palmer Steele, died Feb. 10.
FAITH (Merritt Island, FL): Harold Calvert, 88, died Jan. 30. Lillian E. Banks, 84, died Feb. 23.
FAYETTEVILLE (TN): Steven Gill Craig, 63, died Mar. 7.
GREENVILLE (SC): Henry Bouchier Armstrong, Sr., 90, died Feb. 5.
LAKE PLACID (FL): David Vogel, 46, died Jan. 26. Ethel Wagner, 98, died Feb. 12. Patricia Schweiger, 67, died Feb. 18. Kathryn Horton, 87, choir member, Feb. 24.
LAUDERDALE (VA): Elizabeth Hostetter Conner Johnson, 92, died Jan. 31.
MAUPIN AVE. (NC): David Douglas Jones, Sr., 93, elder, died Jan. 11.
MIDLANE PARK (KY): Jack Frankhouser, 87, died Feb. 18.
NEW ALBANY (MS): Mary Sue Massengill Whitehorn, 87, died Feb. 6.
OLD PROVIDENCE (VA): Nellie Coyner Harris, 97, mother of Rev. William (Bill) Harris, died Feb. 17.
PISGAH (NC): Joseph Lawrence Sullivan, Jr., 82, died Jan. 22. Martha Morrow Leagan, 86, lifelong member, died Feb. 24. Jeffrey Scott Bingham, 49, died Mar. 12.
ROCK HILL FIRST (SC): Faye Martin Hoke, 93, died Feb. 28.
SALEM (TN): Houston M. Mize, 90, longtime member, elder, deacon, died Dec. 28.
SEBRING (FL): David M. Watford, 81, died Feb. 16.
SHEPHERD ROAD (FL): Lydia Martin died in January.
SHILOH (SC): Lillian Faulkenberry Robinson, 92, died Feb. 23.
OTHER DEATHS OF NOTE: Rev. William Franklin Mitchell, Sr., 95, grandfather of Rev. Jim Mitchell and brother of Rev. Charles Mitchell, died Jan. 22.
New Communicant Members
AVON PARK (FL): Stan McCracken
BACK CREEK (NC): iKristin & Jeff Ohrel, Allison Grant, Julie Denning, Jerry Hoover, Tina & Charlie Humphrey, Audrey White, David & Jessica Henkel.
BARTOW (FL): Sara Cooper, Jeb Dyson, Kristin Shoger.
BURLINGTON FIRST (NC): Pat Riddell.
CENTENNIAL (SC): Kaleigh Casterline, Parker Davis, Mattie Felker, Mills Grimsley, Hannah Kennedy, Dr. & Mrs. Ben (Lynn) Tribble, Neal Weaver, Emma Whitfield.
COVENANT (Statesville, NC): Dot & Kay Crowson, Madeline Jacobs, Chris & Cynthia Rosenbalm, Rick & Betty Sharpe.
COVINGTON (TN): Leah Heathman.
CRAIG AVE./ TABERNACLE (NC): Roy & Peggy Frazier, Mary Worth McKain, Henny C. Schellman, Daniel & Ashlee Wells.
DUE WEST (SC): Dr. & Mrs. David (K.D.) Norman.
EBENEZER (SC): Mr. & Mrs. Craig (Bitsy) Cook, Brenda Jackson, Sallie Janzen.
EDGEMOOR (SC): Sara Elizabeth Jordan, Jacob Bradley Jordan, Amber Nicole Wil- loughby, Justin McLean Robbins, Brooke Draffin Paquin, Stephanie S. Reed, Alexander Michael Reed, Abigail Katherine Reed.
EFFINGHAM (SC): Joe & Anet Ross. FAITH (Merritt Island, FL): Tim & Kelly Elam, Nic, Madelaine, & Celeste.
FAYETTEVILLE (TN): Tyler & Kayden.
FROSTPROOF (FL): Jerry & Marilyn Fuller, Doug & Ann Tomkinson.
LAKE PLACID (FL): Marcellus Heike, Charlotte Schwebke, Donna Siebert.
LANCASTER FIRST (SC): Scott & Lynn Moore, David & Stacey Pokopac, Benjamin Rivers, Matthew Rivers, Tom & Katherine Wilson.
NEW STERLING (NC): Kristinia McClure, Mackenzi McClure.
PINECREST (NC): Jacob DeLuca, A. C. & Eva Gregg, Margaret Jordan, Luke Jordan, Rose Anne Perry.
PISGAH (NC): Theo Hawkins, Keith & Jennifer Holt, Mary Wilson.
PROVIDENCE (NC): Gustavo Lopez, Jeffrey Taylor.
ROCK HILL FIRST (SC): Sam Cable, Mary Cate Clayton, Jack Gettys, Thomas Gettys, Ellie Gilleland, Emma Gilleland, James & Donna Hanna, Ashley Hundley, Juliet Leach, Tom Scott, Sydney Sloop, Mabry Smith.
SCOT’SKIRK(SC): MeganBruner,Matthew & Evelyn Campbell.
SHEPHERD ROAD (FL): Rhett & Cathy At- kins, Donna Atkins, Mike & Corletta Canlon, Birk & Teresa Mullinax, Tessa Somerset, Mike & Lisa Sowinski.
UNION (SC): Adora Brown.
Special Services
BETHANY (MS): On Feb. 5, the church hosted a worship and communion service for the ARP churches of the north Mississippi region. The service was led by Rev. Dale Whitlock. Fellowship and a potluck meal followed the service. Other churches represented were: Hopewell, Gumtree, Ebenezer, and New Albany.
BRIGHTON (TN): Rev. T. J. Gentry was guest minister for services held Mar. 18-21.
CLOVER (SC): Rev. Tat Stewart was guest minister for services Jan. 21 & 22.
CODDLE CREEK (NC): A missions conference was held Feb. 12 with Rev. Ed Germann of International Students, Inc., speaker.
EBENEZER(SC): MissionsConference2012 was held Mar. 9, 11-13 with Rev. Chao Yang Peng, of Ambassadors for Christ at Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill preaching the worship service Mar. 11.
GASTONIA FIRST (SC): Robert Brock of Voice of the Martyrs was one of the speakers for this year’s missions conference.
HOPE CHAPEL (NC): Day of Hope, an out- reach ministry of compassionate service in the community, was held Feb. 25.
MAYESVILLE (SC): Dr. Gordon K. Reed led the Bible conference Feb. 19-22.
NEW ALBANY(MS): Rev.Joseph Alghary preached for services Feb. 19-20.
THOMSON (GA): Don Richardson, author of Peace Child, was keynote speaker for the missions conference Mar. 17-21.
Installations
EDGEMOOR (SC): Elders – Brian Cok, George Thompson.
EFFINGHAM (SC): Elders – Billy Hunt, Dick Sansbury. Deacons – Ernie Davis, Jack Young.
FROSTPROOF (FL): Elder – John Mills. Deacons – Alan Blackwelder, Bob Bogart.
LAKE PLACID (FL): Deacons – Joy Bogaert, Jim Browning, Dick Thompson. Elders – Don Bates, Michael Noel.
MIDLANE PARK (KY): Elders – Louis Dibiase, Robert Flight.
NEELY’S CREEK (SC): Deacons – Kenny Gallagher, Will Lesslie, Will McWaters. Elders – Chuck Nalan, Jim Vaughn.
UNITY (Lancaster, SC): Elders – Richard Carter, Bobby Hughes, Alvin Neill, Ronnie Wallace. Deacons – Tommy Deason, Mike Hagins, Todd Jamison, Darin Robinson.
Mission Trips
BOYCE MEMORIAL (NC): Vernon Shoaf, Andy Welborn, and Lynn Welborn joined members of the New Sterling ARP Church on their mission trip to Belize Mar. 3-10.
NEW STERLING (NC): Members of the church traveled to Belize on a mission trip Mar. 3-10.
PINECREST (NC): Ron McKnight traveled for his fourth Joni & Friends – Wheels for the World trip to the Dominican Republic in March.
Women’s Ministries
CATAWBA: A “Meet and Greet” workshop was held Feb. 25 at the Rowan ARP Church. Speakers were Jack & Bonnie Haynes and Missy Robelot.
EBENEZER (SC): “Beauty in Brokenness” was the theme of the annual retreat held Mar. 16 & 17.
EDGEMOOR (SC): New officers are: Kathy Cox, President; Edith Beard, Vice-President; Catherine Gaston, Past President; Grace Love, Secretary; Linda Westbrook, Treasurer.
FAYETTEVILLE (TN): The 4th annual women’s retreat was held Feb. 24 & 25. Shelia Osbourne was guest speaker.
FLORIDA: Valerie Shepard spoke at the Florida Women’s Retreat March 9 & 10. The theme was “Grace, Prayer, and Quietness”.
LANCASTER FIRST (SC): 2012 Officers are: Betsy Rushing & Carol McConnell, Co- Presidents; Patricia Gardner & Sarah Baer, Co-Vice-Presidents; Suzanne Lever, Secretary; Mary Ella Jordan, Treasurer.
MISSISSIPPI VALLEY: Elizabeth Burns was guest speaker for a retreat held Mar. 2 & 3 at The Grove in Cordova, TN.
ROCK HILL FIRST (SC): The annual retreat was held Feb. 10-12 at the Isle of Palms. Leaders were Sarah Harper and Shirley Bailey.
SCOT’S KIRK (SC): Speakers for a retreat March 3 & 4 were Melva & Rich Bible. Officers for 2012 are: President – Reagan Katte; Past President – Gaye Ethridge; Vice-President – Courtney Bruffey; Secretary – Marge Vessell; Treasurer – Elaine Reed.
UNITY (Lancaster, SC): Newly elected officers are: Geraldine Carnes, President; Dot McWhorter, Vice-President; Jennifer Deason, Secretary; Clara Starnes, Treasurer.