Christmas Happiness: A family honors its centenarian
Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 16, 2017
- Illustration by Mark Brincefield
SALISBURY — Ever since 1946, the year after World War II ended, the Graham family and its many offshoots by marriage have made it a point to gather on a Saturday in December for a Christmas-inspired reunion.
The family met at Ed Rusher’s house this year for a double purpose — Christmas and to celebrate his Aunt Rachel Graham Terry’s 100th birthday. (Her birthday will be Monday.)
Rachel’s cake carried all 100 candles, and she had plenty of help blowing them out. Among the family members with her were sister Helen Graham Rusher of Salisbury and brother Tom Graham of Gastonia.
Rachel has lived a full life — heck, she’s as old as Cheerwine — and some of her story will be shared in a Post feature story Monday.
Her family always uses these annual Christmas gatherings as an opportunity to pass the hat and come up with a generous donation for the needy.
This year, in honor of Rachel, the family is making a donation to the Christmas Happiness Fund in the amount of $630. If you see Rachel, wish her a happy birthday, and many thanks to her family.
Contributions to Christmas Happiness may be delivered to the Salisbury Post, 131 W. Innes St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m weekdays or mailed to Salisbury Post Christmas Happiness Fund, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, NC 28145-4639. Makes checks payable to Christmas Happiness Fund and indicate how you want your donation listed in the newspaper.
Today’s contributions are:
In memory of Jean Menius, Annie Harrison, Dot S. Leonard, Doris Hysinger, Penny Lambert, Maxine Everett, Barbara Basinger, Alma Misenheimer, Nicki Holt, Grace Millar, Ida Lee Arey by Wachovia Retired Women, $50
In memory of Buck Hurley, $1,000
In loving memory of our parents, Clyde and Helen Campbell and Sam and Nellie Morgan, by Warren and Evelyn Morgan, $100
In memory of Cecil Mulkey by Terry and Sheila, $100
In honor of all members of First United Church of Christ by First United Church of Christ, $50
In loving memory of Steve Douglas by Racine Douglas, $25
In memory of Dermot and Katharyn Weaver and Ned, Ilene and Mark Norris by Eric, Kathy, Erin, Kristen, Jonathan, Zack and Tyson, $100
In honor of our teachers, Anne Kennedy, Phyllis Little, Jim and Bettie Lyerly, and Rodney Callaway by Shive/Isenberg Sunday School Class, First UCC, $50
In honor of Frank. Happy 70th birthday. All my love, Diane Goodnight, $70
In memory of Glen Campbell, Don Williams and Mel Tillis. In honor of our three favorites from Harris Teeter, Cassie McGrath, Sharon Lloyd and Jennifer Jennings by Hillbilly Hiking Club, $25
In honor of Mrs. Rachel Graham Terry on her 100th birthday, 12-18-17, with love from the Graham family, $630
In memory of our son Greg Beck by Larry and Phyllis Beck, $50
In memory of Wesley, Gizmo, Fluffy, Lucy and Squint and in honor of Tricia on her birthday, 12-18-17, by Benny, Harry and John, $60
Today’s total: $2,310
Running total: $33,355