https://www.facebook.com/109155695174973/

The Gathering, 121 Delos Martin Drive, Jonesville, NC (2026)

03/01/2026

✨ The Work Continues. ✨

As we reflect on the powerful stories shared this Black History Month, we are reminded that our history is rich, living, and still unfolding.

On behalf of The Gathering, thank you for engaging, remembering, and honoring those who paved the way. Your honoree suggestions, shared memories, and support help us preserve the legacy of our community.

While many names were not listed, they have not been forgotten — and we are committed to continuing this work.

📩 Please continue to send names, pictures, and facts of individuals who have made an impact in our community to:
[email protected]

Together, we will continue to say their names.
Together, we will preserve their stories.
Together, we will honor their legacy.

🖤 Happy Black History Month.
The Work Continues.

— The Gathering

02/28/2026

🖤✨ HONORING LEGACY IN MOTION ✨🖤

The Sankofa bird in our logo represents “reaching back to knowledge gained in the past and bringing it into the present in order to make positive progress.” Over the last 28 days, we have taken a trip down memory lane and honored those who have made a difference — both those who are continuing their work and those who have rested from their labors.

Today, we celebrate the greatness that is continuing to build legacy in our community.

On behalf of The Gathering, we proudly honor Coach Clarence Edwards and his children — a family representing generational excellence in motion.

Coach Clarence Edwards isn’t just a coach — he’s a force in track and field. For the last five straight years, he has dominated the conference as its most decorated Coach of the Year, earning an incredible nine championship titles:

• 3 Women’s Indoor
• 3 Men’s Indoor
• 2 Women’s Outdoor
• 1 Men’s Outdoor

He also rose above the conference to earn Men’s Regional Coach of the Year, cementing his place among the elite. Yet beyond the titles and accolades, Coach Edwards has poured into young people as a mentor and steady example, shaping discipline, character, and confidence in countless students — building more than athletes, but strong foundations for life.

At The Gathering 2025, we recognized his son Jericho Edwards as one of our Academic Scholars, and he continues to soar — recently setting a State Record in the 500 at the Indoor State Meet and earning acceptance into the university of his choice, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Alongside him is his sister, Aniya Edwards, a future star already shining brightly. Aniya was the 2025 recipient of the PFC Elizabeth B. Barker Johnson Foundation Scholarship and graduated from Elkin High School as the top-ranked member of the Class of 2025. She has excelled not only academically but also as an athlete, becoming an 11-time State Champion Track Athlete. She now attends UNC Chapel Hill as a proud member of the Tar Heel Track & Field team.

From coaching champions to raising them, Coach Edwards proves that greatness runs in the family and that legacy is something built both on and off the track.

Please join us in celebrating Coach Clarence Edwards, Jericho Edwards, and Aniya Edwards — a powerful example of generational greatness.

🖤 Our Black History.
🖤 Our Legacy.
🖤 Our Pride.

02/27/2026

🌟 Today, with hearts full of gratitude and pride, we celebrate and honor two extraordinary lives — The Gathering’s Inaugural Honorees — whose legacies are forever woven into the fabric of our communities. 🌟

We will never forget their contributions, their courage, and the countless lives they touched. Their stories remind us that true greatness is measured not only by what we achieve, but by how we serve, uplift, and inspire others.

✨ Mrs. Elizabeth Bernice Barker Johnson — a trailblazer, educator, veteran, and living example of perseverance — lived a life defined by courage and purpose.

Born May 2, 1920, as one of 14 children, Mrs. Johnson overcame the barriers of segregation and war to build an extraordinary educational career spanning nearly five decades. From her beginnings at Oak Grove School in Elkin to Atkins High School and Winston-Salem Teacher College, she pursued education with determination and vision.

During World War II, she answered the call to serve as a member of the historic 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion — the Six Triple Eight, the only all-Black, all-female battalion deployed overseas, helping restore morale to troops across Europe.

In 1967, she made history as the first Black teacher in Elkin City Schools, opening doors for generations to come. Her lifetime of service earned her the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, and her legacy continues through the PFC Elizabeth B. Barker Johnson Foundation.

Today, her impact continues to be recognized in meaningful ways. Her daughter, alongside community supporters, is actively working to rename a local post office in Mrs. Johnson’s honor — a powerful and fitting tribute to a woman whose life was defined by service, perseverance, and dedication to others. Efforts are ongoing, and the community stands proudly behind this historic recognition.

Her story reminds us that legacy is built through perseverance, humility, and a commitment to lifting others. Truly — her story is our history, and her legacy is our pride.

✨ Rev. Ansel Eugene “Jackie” Brown — a pioneer, athlete, minister, and beloved community figure — lived a life marked by faith, excellence, and impact.

Affectionately known as Jackie, he was as humorous as he was anointed. From Yadkin High School to becoming part of the first graduating class of the newly integrated Starmount High School — even influencing the school’s iconic Orange and Blue colors — his presence left a lasting mark.

As highlighted in the article Untold Legacy, written by his granddaughter Taylor Jennings Brown, a former NPR editor, Jackie became a trailblazer at the University of South Carolina — the first African American to letter and start on the varsity football team in 1970 — paving the way for generations of Black student-athletes. His remarkable athletic career also led to him being drafted into the NFL, a testament to his extraordinary talent and determination.

Though presented with opportunities at the highest levels of sport, Jackie ultimately chose a higher calling, dedicating his life to ministry and serving as Associate Pastor and staff evangelist at First Assembly of God in Winston-Salem, faithfully edifying God’s people through word and song.

His life reminds us that true greatness is found in faith, service, and love for others.

🖤 Together, these two remarkable lives represent courage, faith, service, and perseverance — the very pillars upon which strong communities are built.

As The Gathering’s Inaugural Honorees, Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson and Rev. Jackie Brown stand as shining examples of what it means to lead with purpose and leave a legacy that will inspire generations yet to come.

Today we celebrate them.
Today we thank them.
Today we honor them with immense pride and everlasting gratitude.

✨ Our Black History. Our Legacy. Our Pride. ✨

02/26/2026

Today, The Gathering pauses with deep gratitude to honor two giants of faith for their unwavering service — Bishop Charles T. Hash and Mrs. Nancy Hash — whose lives became a living testimony of what it means to truly serve God and community.

In the Yadkin Valley, their names are spoken with reverence because their ministry was not simply something they did — it was who they were. Together, they built a legacy rooted in faith, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to lifting others higher.

From their early days as high school sweethearts in Wytheville to their marriage in 1963, Bishop Hash and Mrs. Hash walked hand in hand in divine purpose. Called to ministry at just 24 years old, Bishop Hash answered God’s call with a joyful heart, preaching the Gospel with passion, singing, playing the organ, and pouring his life into sharing the message of Christ for more than five decades.

As senior pastor of Refuge Temple Church of God Apostolic beginning in 1975, Bishop Hash and Mrs. Hash led not just a congregation, but a community — often holding services faithfully even when attendance was small, trusting God for the increase. Their obedience transformed lives spiritually, emotionally, and mentally, making their ministry a beacon of light in Jonesville and throughout the region.

Bishop Hash was a visionary leader who spent decades advocating for others — standing in courtrooms to support young Black men, championing prison reform, and ensuring that those without a voice knew someone was standing in their corner.

This visionary leader, then Pastor Hash, was consecrated as a Bishop in the Lord’s Church in 1990.

His influence reached across the nation and around the world through revivals, evangelism, teaching, leadership materials, and his impactful book The New Breed Walking Tall. Yet through it all, he remained humble — never seeking titles, only seeking to serve.

And beside him every step of the way was Mrs. Hash — a quiet but mighty force whose ministry was lived out in everyday acts of service. Her impact stretched far beyond church walls. She opened her home and heart to countless young people, feeding them, praying with them, and giving them a safe place to belong. Many found not only shelter under her roof, but hope in her presence.

Whether she was sewing with gifted hands, teaching the Word with clarity and compassion, or traveling long roads on the “Big Bus” to gather youth, Mrs. Hash clothed people in dignity, encouragement, and care. Her life reflected the beauty of servant leadership — never seeking recognition, only seeking to serve.

Together, Bishop Hash and Mrs. Hash showed us that ministry is not confined to a pulpit. It is lived in homes, in communities, in courtrooms, in classrooms, and in quiet moments of kindness. Their lives were sermons stitched with faith, courage, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion.

Because of them, generations in the Yadkin Valley walk stronger in faith. Because of them, countless lives were lifted, guided, and forever changed.

Their legacy is not only remembered — it is still being lived out in the lives they touched, the seeds they planted, and the faith they helped grow.

Today, we honor their extraordinary legacy with gratitude, reverence, and love for the example they set before us all.

🖤 Our Black History. Our Legacy. Our Pride.

02/25/2026

Today, The Gathering honors Mr. Ronald Gillis Lindsey, a man whose life reflects the very best of service, humility, and quiet strength.

Raised in Jonesville, North Carolina, Ronald — affectionately known as Ronnie — was part of the second graduating class of Starmount High School in 1969. Known for a smile that could light up any room, Ronnie excelled in track and field, competing at the state level in the long jump, high jump, and 100-meter dash. Even as a young man, his servant’s heart was evident, from driving the school bus after class to always looking out for those around him.

Ronnie’s love for the outdoors led him to pursue a degree in Horticulture from Forsyth Tech before returning home to steward the land he loved. On his family farm, he raised Angus cattle, corn, and hay — and generously shared the fruits of his garden with anyone in need. His life was rooted in the belief that community is strengthened when we care for one another.

A faithful member and deacon of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Mr. Ronald served in many roles including Sunday school teacher, treasurer, choir member, and van driver, always giving his time with a willing spirit. Through more than 30 years as a lineman with Surry-Yadkin Electric, he worked tirelessly — often in the harshest conditions — to ensure his neighbors stayed safe and warm, especially during winter storms.

His devotion to family was just as profound. Whether volunteering with Elkin City Schools, chaperoning trips, coaching young athletes, or proudly supporting his daughter Suzanne’s track career and scholarship journey, Ronald was always present. As a dedicated Scout Dad, he traveled near and far with his son Kristopher, supporting him every step of the way to earning his Eagle Scout.

Mr. Ronald Gillis Lindsey’s legacy is one of service, fellowship, kindness, and unwavering love for his family and community. His life reminds us that true greatness is often found in steady hands, generous hearts, and a willingness to show up — day after day — for others.

During this Black History Month, we honor and celebrate Mr. Lindsey for the lasting impact he has made and the example he continues to set for generations to come.

✨ Our Black History. Our Legacy. Our Pride.

02/24/2026

Today The Gathering honors Rev. John Hampton and Mrs. Myrtle Hampton — two pillars of faith, service, and community whose lives embody the true spirit of community care.

During this sacred season of Black History Month, we pause to recognize a couple whose legacy lives on through the generations they touched and the community they helped sustain.

Rev. Hampton faithfully served as Pastor of Mount Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church for many years, leading with humility, strength, and unwavering faith — a shepherd whose ministry extended far beyond the pulpit.

In a time before desegregation, when Black communities were forced to rely on one another, Rev. Hampton and his beloved wife, Mrs. Myrtle Hampton, became a vital source of stability in the Jonesville community. Together, they operated the local grocery store, providing food security and, for many families, the only reliable place to purchase necessities.

For years, their store was more than a business — it was a lifeline rooted in care, dignity, and compassion. Through their generosity and commitment to serving others, they helped ensure that neighbors were nourished and supported when resources were scarce.

Their legacy reminds us that true service meets both the spiritual and physical needs of the people. Because of Rev. and Mrs. Hampton, countless lives were strengthened and uplifted.

Today, we honor their enduring impact and give thanks for the foundation they helped build — one rooted in faith, resilience, and love.

May we continue to walk in their example as we care for one another and carry their legacy forward.

🖤

02/23/2026

Today, The Gathering proudly honor Rev. Alvin W. Hayes — a servant leader whose life reflects the very heart of community.

For over 15 years, Rev. Hayes has faithfully shepherded the congregation of St. Home Baptist Church, offering spiritual guidance, compassion, and steady leadership to all who walk through its doors. His ministry has been a source of strength, hope, and encouragement for generations.

His impact reaches far beyond the church walls. Rev. Hayes has consistently ministered to and mentored individuals who may never sit in his pews, using his life experiences to uplift, guide, and support people from all walks of life with wisdom, compassion, and understanding.

But Rev. Hayes’ commitment to service extends beyond the pulpit. In 2022, he answered the call to civic duty and was elected to serve on the Elkin Town Council, where he continues to work diligently to uplift and strengthen the community. With his term continuing through December 2028, his leadership reflects a deep belief that faith and action go hand in hand.

We honor Rev. Hayes for his tireless devotion to improving the lives of others — spiritually, socially, and politically. His example reminds us that true leadership is rooted in service, humility, and love for people.

Thank you, Rev. Hayes, for being a guiding light and for helping move our community forward.

02/22/2026

Today, The Gathering honors the beautiful life and enduring legacy of Mrs. Nellie Luddie Strickland, a cherished pillar of the Jonesville community whose life reflected grace, faith, and unwavering devotion to family and others.

After moving to Jonesville in 1968 with her beloved husband, the late Mr. Willie Nathan Strickland, Mrs. Strickland planted roots that would grow into a legacy grounded in love, unity, and spiritual strength. As the proud mother of fourteen children, she embodied the very essence of womanhood — strong yet gentle, dignified yet humble — guiding her family with wisdom, discipline, and unconditional love.

Mrs. Strickland’s home was a place of warmth and belonging. Known for her extraordinary cooking and heartfelt hospitality, her kitchen became a gathering place where family, friends, and neighbors were nourished not only with meals but with kindness, laughter, and grace. Her hospitality was truly her ministry, reflecting a heart committed to serving others.

Deeply rooted in faith, she lived as a quiet yet powerful example of devotion — a woman of prayer who trusted God fully and walked with a peace that touched everyone around her. To her family, she was a guiding light and steadfast source of wisdom; to her community, she was a comforting presence and gentle encourager.

Mrs. Nellie Luddie Strickland’s legacy lives on through the lives she nurtured, the love she shared, and the faith she modeled so beautifully. Her life reminds us that true greatness is found in service, compassion, and steadfast love.

Her life was a blessing.
Her influence is eternal.
Her love continues to shine through generations.

🖤 Happy Black History Month — The Gathering

02/21/2026

Today, The Gathering proudly honors the life and legacy of Pastor Alvin Harris — a man whose faith, leadership, and heart left an indelible mark on countless lives and on the very fabric of our community.

A devoted servant of God, Pastor Harris faithfully served as a pastor for over 20 years and spent many more years in ministry, learning and growing under the spiritual mentorship of Bishop Charles Hash and his uncle, Rev. Jackie Brown. When Bishop Hash was called to lead a new church, God called Pastor Harris back home to Jonesville, North Carolina, where he stepped into leadership at Refuge Temple, continuing the strong spiritual foundation that had been built there.

Before answering his call to ministry, Pastor Harris was a gifted athlete. He played football at Starmount High School all four years, highlighted by an outstanding junior season with over 20 touchdowns, earning him a full football scholarship to North Carolina A&T State University. Following God’s call, he later attended Rhema Bible College under Kenneth Hagin Sr., earning his degree in 1996 and returning home equipped to serve with wisdom, humility, and a deep love for God’s people.

His ministry reached far beyond the church walls. For many years, he hosted a beloved Sunday radio ministry on 100.9 FM, where countless listeners tuned in weekly for encouragement, teaching, prayer, and hope. His voice became a source of comfort and spiritual guidance throughout the community.

Pastor Harris also poured into young people through athletics, serving for over 10 years as a dedicated football coach for the Jonesville football program under Coach Donnie Martin. Parents and athletes still speak of the impact he had — teaching discipline, character, accountability, and faith both on and off the field.

Known for his infectious smile and his rare gift of breaking down the Word of God in a way that was both powerful and easy to understand, he truly met people where they were. His heart for people was evident in every sermon, conversation, and prayer.

Above all, he was a devoted family man who worked tirelessly to provide the best life possible for his family — Teresa Harris, Ashland Harris, and Tevin Harris — while remaining deeply rooted in love and respect for his parents, Clarence Harris and Nellie Strickland Harris of Jonesville.

His life reflects the very heart of Black History Month — faith, leadership, perseverance, service, and community impact. The seeds Pastor Harris planted through his preaching, coaching, radio ministry, and personal relationships continue to grow in the lives of those he touched. Though he has passed on, his voice, his lessons, and his love live on in the hearts of this community.

02/20/2026

Today, The Gathering honors the beautiful legacy of Mrs. Sadie Hampton Tate, a woman whose life was a song of faith, love, and community.

Mrs. Sadie was known and cherished as the visionary behind The Tate Singers, where she poured her heart into cultivating the musical gifts of her family. Through her guidance, encouragement, and unwavering belief in the power of song, she helped nurture voices that would go on to inspire and uplift the entire community. Her passion for music was never just about melody — it was about ministry, connection, and bringing people closer together.

A faithful member of Ana Jarvis Methodist Church, Mrs. Sadie’s love for the Lord could be felt wherever she worshipped. She could often be found fellowshipping at many churches throughout the community, sharing her warm spirit, gentle wisdom, and joyful praise. Her presence was a reminder that faith is meant to be lived out loud — in kindness, in service, and in love.

Her family and this entire community remember Mrs. Sadie as a true woman of God — devoted to her family, committed to her faith, and deeply invested in the well-being of others. She carried herself with grace and compassion, leaving an imprint on countless lives through her encouragement, her music, and her steadfast spirit.

Because of Mrs. Sadie Hampton Tate, our community sings a little fuller, loves a little deeper, and remembers the power of lifting one another up.

Her legacy lives on in every voice she encouraged, every life she touched, and every heart she helped guide toward faith and fellowship.

02/19/2026

Today, The Gathering honors Mr. Francis Marion Kennedy — an educator whose leadership helped shape Black education in North Carolina when opportunity was scarce and segregation was law.

Francis Marion Kennedy was a prominent African American educator and community leader in Winston-Salem during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. At a time when access to quality education for Black children was systematically denied, he stood firm in the belief that excellence, structure, and high expectations mattered.

Mr. Kennedy was the founding principal of Columbia Heights School (later Columbia Terrace), one of the earliest public schools for Black students in Winston-Salem. There, he established rigorous standards for both teachers and students, helping to lay a foundation for public education in the Black community that would impact generations. His work at the local level set a tone of discipline, dignity, and purpose in classrooms that were often overlooked and under-resourced.

Beyond local schools, Mr. Kennedy also played a pivotal role in higher education. From 1910 to 1913, he served as the third president of Slater Industrial Academy, now known as Winston-Salem State University. Bridging leadership between Simon Green Atkins and Cadd Grant O’Kelly, Kennedy helped stabilize and grow the institution during a critical period of transition. Under his guidance, the school continued its mission of preparing Black students for teaching, industrial work, and practical professions — grounded in the philosophy of educating the head, hand, and heart.

Mr. Kennedy and his family resided in the Oak Grove community in Elkin, North Carolina, where Kennedy Street bears his name.

We honor Mr. Francis Marion Kennedy for helping build the educational pathways that allowed our communities not just to learn, but to lead.

02/18/2026

Today, we honor three extraordinary women whose lives quietly but powerfully shaped generations — Mrs. Margaret “Notsie” Manns Cook, Mrs. Sally Lockett Billips, and Ms. Mary Lee Adams.

Mrs. Notsie and Mrs. Billips were lifelong members of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and trusted, familiar faces at Jonesville School, where they served as custodians. To so many children, they were more than staff — they were protectors, encouragers, and steady hands watching over the community’s sons and daughters.

Mrs. Notsie is lovingly remembered for the way she gathered people together. Cousins and neighborhood children rode on the back of her truck to her farm and to play ball, turning simple days into lifelong memories. The family still remembers gathering at Mrs. Marybell's house, where voices filled the rooms with song and laughter — moments rooted in love and togetherness.

Mrs. Billips is remembered as a devoted family woman and faithful servant, giving her time through the Willing Workers Club at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. Her quiet dedication and commitment to serving others reflected a life lived with purpose and care.

We also lift up the legacy of Ms. Mary Lee Adams, a great woman of faith whose love for God, family, church, and community guided her entire life. As a devoted member of Piney Grove UMC, she served as president of United Methodist Women, taught Sunday School, and faithfully worked as church treasurer. Though she had only minimal formal education, she never allowed that to limit her calling. Through determination and hard work, she became a certified assistant Head Start teacher, serving from 1969 to 1980 and helping shape the lives of countless children in the community.

Ms. Adams believed deeply in education and always encouraged both young and old to keep learning. Her strong will and tireless work ethic carried her well beyond retirement age — she continued working until she was 87 years old. She raised seven grandchildren with unwavering love, drawing strength from her favorite words: “It’s by God’s love, grace, and mercy.” And of course, many remember her as an exceptional cook whose meals brought people together just as her spirit did.

None of these women sought recognition, yet their impact is woven into the fabric of this community. They helped raise generations through everyday acts of love, discipline, faith, and service.

At The Gathering, we honor Mrs. Margaret “Notsie” Manns Cook, Mrs. Sally Lockett Billips, and Ms. Mary Lee Adams as reminders that all history — no matter how big or how small — is Black history, and that the greatest legacies are often built in the quiet work of loving and serving others.

The Gathering

03/01/2026

02/28/2026

02/27/2026

02/26/2026

02/25/2026

02/24/2026

02/23/2026

02/22/2026

02/21/2026

02/20/2026

02/19/2026

02/18/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category