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I had the opportunity to spend a good portion of my early childhood summers with my maternal grandmother who became a widow when I was around 5 years old. She was someone who never let moss grow under her feet. She would awaken me fairly early in the morning and go through a litany of things that needed to be accomplished before the days end. The bulk of which were more community related.

She managed a Community Service Center for years at the local Seventh-day Adventist Church in Roanoke Virginia. So it could be anything from getting food to hungry families to giving a pedicure to someone that was living alone and unable to take care of themselves at that level for whatever reason. I was always in tow and found that sort of interaction with the community at large very fascinating.

She was a devout member of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union so needless to say I was often lectured about the value of “temperance in all things” and that your body was the temple of the Holy Spirit. The most impactful thing she did for me as a young person was to play the role of a consummate mentor. She was an avid gardener and never allowed me to help her with anything related to the care and nurture of her many flower and vegetable gardens without explaining in great detail what we were doing and why we were doing it. It was incredibly satisfying to go with her to her vegetable garden and pick everything we intended to have for dinner that evening.

That whole experience really laid the groundwork for me as to how I have chosen to live my adult life assisting others whenever I can. My goal is to carry on her rich legacy in whatever way I can. I will be eternally grateful for her inspiration and impact on my life.

~Bill Hudgins

Today, I remember the blessing of my sweet grandparents, James and Ethel Kivett.

My grandparents lived in Asheboro and I cherished the times I got to visit and stay with them for several days. “Grandma” and I spent the days in the kitchen or learning to sew or crochet.

In the afternoons, we sat together on the front porch swing, listening for the mill whistle to blow which meant “Granddaddy” would be home soon! Both were active leaders in their church, First United Methodist Church, in Asheboro, and I enjoyed attending church with them whenever I could.

Grandma made sure I learned to read spiritually by strategically leaving her devotion book out for me to find and read every morning…a habit I still enjoy today.

I am thankful for both Grandma and Granddaddy and the lessons I learned from them. They were, and are, a blessing to me.

~Amy Burns

I’m writing this tribute with a heart full of love and gratitude for all you’ve poured into my life. Seeing you serve faithfully as pastor and pastor’s wife in Monroe, NC for over 50 years, has left an indelible mark on me. Your dedication to your community, your unwavering faith, and the love you’ve shown for your people have been a constant inspiration.

You haven’t just preached the word, you’ve lived it. Witnessing the countless ways the Lord has worked through your ministry has been a powerful testament to God’s grace. From the smiles on the faces of those you’ve helped to the growth of the church family, you’ve sown seeds of love and faith that will continue to blossom for years to come.

But your love extends far beyond the church walls. You’ve showered your grandkids with an abundance of gift, love, and support; always making time for us despite your busy schedules. From teaching us the joy of getting our hands dirty in the garden to sharing stories of your own childhood, you’ve created a haven of warmth and belonging for us.

And speaking of the garden, let’s not forget those incredible blueberries! Every summer, the anticipation of those sweet, juicy berries was almost as exciting as visiting you. They were a delicious reward after a day spent helping in the garden, learning about patience and nurturing life. But more importantly, they became a symbol of your love, a reminder of the care and effort you put into everything you do.

Thank you for showing us that serving Christ isn’t confined to a Sunday service. It’s about living a life of love, dedication, and generosity. It’s about nurturing a community, both within the church and within your family. You’ve taught us the importance of giving back, of putting faith into action, and of finding joy in the simple things, like a backyard full of blueberries.

Words can’t express how grateful I am to have you as my grandparents. Your legacy extends far beyond the church, far beyond the garden. It’s a legacy of faith, love, and unwavering devotion to God and family. You’ve been the most incredible role models, and I am so blessed to call you Papaw and Mamaw.

With all my love,
Austin Decker

I have numerous fond memories of my maternal grandparents that begin as a child and last until their passing in my adult years. My grandparents, who became known to their great-grandchildren and are still remembered lovingly today as Mom-maw Dot and Pappy Gray, lived on the family farm near me during my childhood. Memories that flood my mind as I write this include hot summer days and late nights working in tobacco, milking cows and skimming off the cream, gathering up eggs, and preparing meat and fresh vegetables. I remember my grandparents both being strong in faith, extremely hard workers, and enjoying time for hobbies.

My grandfather would work from sunup to past sundown most days keeping the farm running. His daily attire included a navy, long sleeve work shirt with matching pants. He was happy on any tractor, large or small, with a glass bottled pepsi-cola to sip on throughout the day. Sundays were for church and I remember grandfather being a sharp dressser as well, often wearing a suit and fedora style hat. My grandfather was an avid fisherman and enjoyed time fishing in local waters as well as traveling to lakes in SC and FL. I have memories of staying at my grandparents house as a child helping my parents keep the farm going, while they traveled with friends on fishing expeditions.

My grandmother was the epitome of a strong woman. Her work ethic was second to none as she would have a full breakfast, including handrolled biscuits on the table, before going to a job at the local mill. Upon her return, she would work in the fields and prepare dinner for anyone working on the farm. She was strong in her faith and shared that with others, especially by teaching sunday school well into her 90s. Growing up, I have fond memories of my grandmother in the kitchen. She loved to bake and was a talented cake and flower decorator. I used to anticipate the beautiful and tasty Barbie cakes she would make for my birthday as a child. She would use her gifts to arrange flowers for the alter on Sunday mornings. She also enjoyed entertaining and would add a touch of class to any gathering she hosted. I can remember her hosting saturday evening oyster stews with friends and sunday afternoon church circle meetings that were enjoyed by all that attended.

I am thankful for the legacy of my grandparents and that my children all got to meet them and be loved on by them. I see glimpses of my grandparents in each of my children. Seth has his great-grandmother’s love of learning, Ryan exhibits his Pappy Gray’s love of the outdoors and Lauryn shows Mom-maw Dot’s gift of hospitality. The family farm is still part of my family and though it is no longer functional as an active farm, I cherish the opportunity to stroll over the acres of land and reminisce about my grandparents and life there.

~Melanie Beeson