By Clara W. Corry

For the Salisbury Post

With so many things changing without rumors or loud fanfare, one wonders how the history books will record the significant incidents.

Will there be a complete notation or description of the growth pattern? Will there be historical inclusions of what existed prior to the event transpiring? Will the transformation be included in the annuals of the iPods so young minds will know and have the opportunity to grasp the full meaning of the transposition?

To fully understand, one should know that Mary Strawder Ponds is a native of Rowan County. She received her formal educational training in the public classrooms of Rowan County. Mrs. Ponds received her BA degree in education from Livingstone College. She taught school in Virginia for a few years, then returned home to teach at Corriher Lipe Middle School and retired from teaching at South Rowan High School.

Mrs. Ponds sought to make the lives of her students interesting while they reached for higher goals and broader realms that extended their scopes of understanding. This increased their abilities to render services to others. She always understood that a sense of belonging gave security to all, no matter their background. She also practiced and passed these concepts on to her own two children.

Being a part of a broad community allowed for a better understanding of her own community and the need to be a viable part of helping to make the community an important part of the state and nation.

From the historical aspect, Mrs. Ponds is the first African-American woman to hold the position of mayor for the Town of Granite Quarry. After serving 14 years as mayor, she served two years as alderman. The governing body of this town can never forget the work done by Mrs. Ponds or the lives she touched. These are the intangible elements given when faith, trust and love move to allow the individuals to fully be  servants of God.

May the spirit we find exhibited in the life of Job ever permeate your endeavors as forward movement is made to meet new challenges and undertakings that await completion. May God truly bless Mary Strawder Ponds and Granite Quarry.

Clara W. Corry lives in Salisbury.