Fund set up for murder victim; donations being accepted today

Joan Marie Lark

By Emily Ford

eford@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Friends of twin brothers and local actors James and John Woodson will hold a fundraiser today to help the boys and their family after the murder of Joan Marie Lark in East Spencer.

Lark, who was beaten to death Friday, was the grandmother of the Woodson twins.

Cooper’s restaurant at 122 E. Fisher St. will collect money, food and gift cards from 3 to 5 p.m. today for funeral expenses and other immediate needs.

The Woodson twins are known to many theater-goers for their performances as animals in “The Jungle Book,” police officers in a “Comedy of Errors” and perhaps most notably as the Teen Angels in last year’s production of “Grease.” They attend North Rowan High School and are members of the North Rowan Show Choir.

Youth actor Anthony Cataldo, son of Cooper’s owners Leslie and Joseph Cataldo, has performed with the Woodsons, and the boys became friends.

“They need some extra love right now,” Leslie Cataldo said.

Lark provided for many members of her large family and kept six grandchildren in her 110 W. Spencer St. home, where she died and some of her grandchildren discovered her body. The twins live with their great-grandmother.

Gary A. Cureton, 54, who knew Lark, is charged with murder, felony first-degree burglary and felony robbery with a dangerous weapon.

Today’s fundraiser was Anthony’s idea, his mother said, and people have already responded with an outpouring of concern.

“We are so blessed to be in such a giving community,” Leslie Cataldo said. “They have such a long road ahead of them.”

Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.