George Crow

So, so sorry to hear of John's death, Connie.  You and your family are most certainly in my prayers during this Christmas season that will be so difficult.  May God give much strength and grace.

Brenda Leazer (Chandler)

Connie, I am so saddened by the news of John's death. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. I know how difficult it is to lose your spouse. Trust in God and he will carry you through the difficult times.

Laurena Hutto (Taylor)

Connie, I am so sorry for your the loss of your husband.  It has been a tough year for our class and
I know we all stand strong together this year with the Grace of God, and know that our beloved spouses are in a better place and no longer suffering from the earthly sickness that came upon them.

My husband Bobby kept trying to prepare me, and kept telling me we all have a time on this earth together, and a time to leave this place, and we just don't know how, when, and why but it is part of His plan.  I pray for your strength and know that you too will find that strength and peace as time passes by.

Bless you and your family.  Your friend and classmate, Laurena.
 

Ernie Wright

Connie,I am so very sorry to hear that John has died,My prayers are with you,may God rest his soul and grant you and your family guidance, comfort and peace.

Linda Greene (George)

Connie, please accept my deepest condolances. I will be thinking of you.

D. Anne Bagley (Elliott)

Connie, my sincere sympathies to you and your family.  

Janice Pryor

Connie, You and your family are in my prayers.  Hoping you will find comfort in your many wonderful memories of him.

Bob Finley

Just heard about the passing of your husband Connie. God's grace is always sufficient and He grieves with us. Remember that you have not lost anything when you know where it is.Praying for your family!

Hilda Mangum (Hopper)

Connie,  I am so sorry for your loss. YOU are in my thoughts and prayers.

Becky Armstrong (Helms)

John Julis Elkin Jr. passed away Thursday on December 20 at 4:34pm at the age of 73. He was surrounded by his closest family and was sleeping quite peacefully. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday January 5, 2019 at 12pm with the visitation from 11am-12pm.In lieu of flower donations can be made to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. Please visit www.forestlawnwest.com for the full obituary.

John Julis Elkin Jr. passed away Thursday on December 20 at 4:34pm at the age of 73. He was surrounded by his closest family and was sleeping quite peacefully. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday January 5, 2019 at 12pm with the visitation from 11am-12pm.In lieu of flower donations can be made to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. Please visit www.forestlawnwest.com for the full obituary.

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charlotte/obituary.aspx?n=john-julis-elkin&pid=191082672&fhid=10991

Susan Ghantt (Ghent)

Connie, Sending up prayers for you and your family during this sad time!  I am so sorry for your loss! Susan Ghent (Ghantt)
 

Kay Manning (Elrod)

SCHOOL LUNCHES

Maybe you remember school lunches back in the 1950's - yet another thing we have to be proud of.  At that time lunches were designed to give a child a nourishing meal because there were so many undernourished children.  Later in the 1970's, lunches were scaled down because they said there was an overwhelming number of obese children. So, they decided pizza and french fries were better for us.

Most of my school lunches were packed in little brown bags until I got my first really cool lunch box.  But in 1958 when I attended Alberta School in Tuscaloosa Alabama we were able to buy the school lunch. You must understand the school itself was an old wooden structure from the 1920's or 30's, rest rooms in the basement, floors in the basement were dirt and rock with cement poured over - very rough and rustic. This was also one of the poorest states in the U.S. and had one of the lowest ratings in academics in the U.S.  However, the school lunches were to die for.  Maybe my culinary palate was limited to what my mother prepared, but I was introduced to an array of delectable delights such as homemade yeast rolls. We had real fried chicken and mashed potatoes, a lovely little dessert of crushed graham crackers for a crust with a lemon pie filling topping. Spaghetti was a favorite and meatloaf with gravy.  My dad always asked how do you make meatloaf gravy? I don't know, but it was delicious. And who could forget those little ice cream cups with the wooden spoon?  We had milk at least three times a day - morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack. I think the snack milk was free and later changed to 5 cents. (I do not see a cent sign on my keyboard - is that obsolite too?)

Lunches were some of my favorite school memories in Alabama.  What were the Rock Hill School lunches like in you grammar school?

Ruth McAteer (Lockridge)

Becky Armstrong (Helms)

How about paper straws?

Kay Manning (Elrod)

Ruth: I bet that vegetable soup and sandwich was 25 cents.  Ah, the good old days...

Beck: That was contraband - that wasn't on the school menu! Is that what you brought for lunch in your Mousekateers lunch box???

Becky Armstrong (Helms)

Prayers for Laurena on losing her son. She lost her husband Bobby not too long ago.

Michael Shawn Marthers, 43, of Locust, went home to be with the Lord, Saturday, January 26, 2019.

Michael was born March 27, 1975 in Rock Hill, SC to the late Donnie Marthers and Laurena Hutto-Taylor.  He was also preceded in death by step-father, Bobby Taylor.  

Michael dearly loved his family, friends and pets.  He also loved and appreciated his colleagues at Livingston & Haven.  Because of his fun-loving and outgoing personality, Michael had a way of making people feel special and he never met a stranger.  Some of his favorite things include outdoor activities, traveling, Star Wars and TarHeel Basketball.    

Survivors include beloved wife of 19 years, Karen Benge Marthers, and mother, Laurena Hutto-Taylor.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 pm, Thursday, January 31, 2019 at Hartsell Funeral Home, 13575 Broadway Ave., Midland NC.  The funeral service will be held 2:00 pm Friday, February 1, 2019 at Philadelphia Baptist Church, 12568 Philadelphia Church Rd, Stanfield NC, officiated by Rev. Carey Snellings and Robert Britt.  

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to West Stanly Christian Ministries, P. O. Box 27, Stanfield, NC 28163.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Marthers family.

https://secure.fhwebhosting.net/hlq/notices/Michael-Marthers?fbclid=IwAR1fjJuwICH2zTpvw-eyyhU3FLfNPtEk-mYJcsGFCesuCZOc2J9T9UrUXP0

George Crow

Laurena, I cannot even begin to fathom what it must be like to lose both a spouse and child so close together.  You are most certainly in my prayers and I wish for you God's special strength and comfort during these days of such great heartbreak..

Rebecca Littlefield (Jones)

Laurena..My deepest sympathy on the loss of your son.  Many prayers your way.

Kay Manning (Elrod)

Oh, Laurena - there are no words to express the sorrow I feel for you.  I pray with all our prayers we can help you get through your grief.

Becky Armstrong (Helms)

Congratulations to Charlie and Jan Belk. A post on FB yesterday from Charlie:

Celebrating 48 years of marriage with my beautiful bride, Jan.

Becky Armstrong (Helms)

A post on FB by Linda George. Do you have a favorite quote or saying?? Please share here.

Becky Armstrong (Helms)

Here is a quote I came across of a few months ago that I like:

“I decide, every day, to . . . open myself to the frustrations and failures of loving, daring to believe that failing in love is better than succeeding in pride.” Eugene Peterson

Kay Manning (Elrod)

I love quotes. Here's one I just heard today.  

" You wouldn't be so concerned about what people thought about you if you realized how seldom they did."  

Jimmy Vick

Just my way of justifing:

The more you weigh the harder you are to kidnap. Stay safe, eat cake.

D. Anne Bagley (Elliott)

Hey Charlie Belk.  Happy Anniversary !!

Your old neighbor, Anne Bagley