Koontz reunion
The descendants of the John Thornton and Sarah Young Koontz family met on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2011 for their 64th Koontz reunion at Trading Ford Baptist Church on Long Ferry Road. More than 70 family members attended.
The Koontz family lived on Long Ferry Road. Their children were Clara Koontz Massey, Donnie Koontz Iddings, Allen Thornton Koontz, John Henry Koontz, Ira G. Koontz, Lizzie Koontz Williams and Lula Young. There are two surviving grandsons, Elon Massey of the Clara Koontz family and Edwin Koontz of the Allen Koontz family. The oldest living descendant is Elon Massey, who will be 95 in September.
Loretta Massey Earnhardt, descendant of Clara Koontz, welcomed everyone to the reunion and gave a brief history of the past reunions. The Rev. William Sowers, pastor of Hedrick Grove United Church of Christ in Lexington and descendant of Lizzie Koontz Williams, gave the blessing. The family enjoyed a covered dish lunch.
There was a table display of scrapbooks of the Koontz family reunions, newspaper articles and old photographs. A collage of old photographs was made for the family members. A framed photograph and a red rose was placed on the table in memory of Herman Koontz Massey. Edwin Koontz brought the old Koontz family Bible and gave a brief history of this treasured possession. The family enjoyed an evening of fellowship, sharing of family stories and making family photographs.
One descendant died since the last reunion, Herman Koontz Massey, son of Clara Koontz Massey.
Births since last yearís reunion were Rachel Ann Queen, descendant of Ira Koontz and Adriana Massey, descendant of Clara Koontz.
There have been three marriages since the last reunion: Amber Rae Smith, descendant of Ira Koontz, Karla Foster Costantino, descendant of Clara Koontz and Megan Walton Fox, descendant of Henry Koontz.
The Donnie Koontz Iddings family had the most descendants present. The host family for theis 64th reunion was Clara Koontz Massey. Representing the family were Loretta Massey Earnhardt, Grady Ray Earnhardt, Amy LoRae Earnhardt, Gary Massey and Elon Massey.
Family members and guests attended from Lexington, Salisbury, Belmont, Hickory, Davidson, Kernersville and Matthews.
Friends host shower
Friends Sandra Roakes, Kim Fink and Diana Moghrabi hosted a bridal shower for fellow ědrama queenî Sheryle McGeeís daughter, Sarah, Sunday, Aug. 21 at 11 a.m., at the home of Diana Moghrabi, 500 Mahaley Ave. The four friends call themselves the drama queens because their relationships were founded through Piedmont Players Theatre and their appreciation for performance art.
Sarah, daughter of ěBig Joeî and Sheryle McGee, is currently employed by the City of Lexington as an accountant, having interned with the City of Salisbury. She has a bachelor of science in business administration from Western Carolina University with an overall GPA of 3.7. Sarah is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma and Pi Gamma Mu.
Guests of the bridal shower included Kim Morgan Fink, Jessica Fink Tucker, Debbie Heilig, Sarah McGee, Sheryle McGee, Diana Moghrabi, Brandy Ray, Sandra Roakes, Whitney Slawson, Amanda Tomlinson, Becky Tomlinson and Vivian Vess.
Floral arrangements were by Pam Morris. Recording the event through the lens of his camera was Mark Braswell Perry.
Ian and Sarah will wed September 24 at Saratoga Springs, Mt. Pleasant.
Two honored at Human Rights Celebration The sixth annual evening SRCWU Human Rights Celebration was held recently at St. Luke Baptist Church. Sixty eight persons from eight denominations attended the event. The audience was welcomed by chair person Dorothy Gil-Smith; Brenda Venning, president of Salisbury-Rowan Church Women United; Phyllis Thomside, CWU representative at St. Luke; and the Rev. Arthur Heggins, pastor at St. Luke. Mrs. Venning noted that this year is the 70th anniversary of Church Women United.
Worship service participants were Betty Jo Hardy, Shirley Holness, Rena Morgan, Connie OíKelley, Catherine Krider, Phyllis Thomside, Patricia Murphy, Cynthia Stoner and Sarah Byerly. Pianist for the evening was Becky Morris and Linda Tutterow sang a solo.
The speaker for the evening was Commander Ollie Mae Carroll, the first female post commander at the J.C. Price Legion Post.
The highlight of the Human Rights Celebration was the presentation of this yearís Salisbury Rowan Church Women United Human Rights Award. Both persons selected ó Eliza Glenn Harris Miller and Dellene Lyerly Gudger ó have established a legacy in the community and in Church Women United.
The closing benediction was done by Genny Reed and Cynthia Stoner.
The ecumenical action was the collection of school supplies which was given to Communities in Schools. A total of 1,080 items was collected. The next celebration is World Community Day, which will be held at Trinity Presbyterian Church. All interested persons are invited to reserve tickets for the luncheon/program.