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Melvin “Junior” Lloyd Jones, Jr., 51, passed away Sunday, October 20, 2013.  He was born December 8, 1961 in Nash County. 

Robert Linwood Pridgen, age 84, passed away Sunday, October 20, 2013. Born January 9, 1929 in Edgecombe County, he was the son of the late Luther Leonard Pridgen and Ida Mae Sutton. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Ophelia Worrell; brother, George Pridgen; and son-in-law, Tommy Jones.

Thelma Eatmon Bell, 92,  passed away Saturday, October 19, 2013. She was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1920. She was one of nine children born to Earnest and Nannie Eatmon. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Russell Bell; three sisters and five brothers.

Isabel Limer Harper, 91, of Rocky Mount,  passed away on October 17, 2013. Isabel was born in Warren County on January 7, 1922 to the late Osborne Marion and Emma Tharrington Limer. She was married to the late Frank Lester Harper. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Tom Limer and sister, Irma Rideout.

Kenneth Keen, age 65, passed away Friday, October 18, 2013. Born in Nash County on August 4, 1948, he was the son of the late Stanford E. Keen and Christine Thorne Keen. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Elwood Keen and brother-in-law, Mike Bass.

Nashville’s Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon cutting last week to welcome Tripp Furniture to Downtown Nashville.
Tripp Furniture opened on September 16 in the former Nashville Furniture building at the corner of Washington and Boddie Streets.
Tripp Furniture moved from its location in Downtown Rocky Mount, where it had been since 2001.

There is one thing about the State Fair that never changes: you will always see something you wish you hadn’t.
This year, it was the guy who apparently was frozen in 1974 and thawed out in September. He was wearing a yellow singlet, had been oiled up, and was pedaling a rickshaw that was blaring disco music.
While all at once my family had to look away quickly, at least we were in the midst of enjoying one of our favorite family traditions — the much-anticipated Fair in Raleigh.

In this week’s Graphic, you’ll find answers to questions we asked candidates running for office in the upcoming election.
Typically, in the past, I receive responses from everyone in the local elections. It is the statewide elections that I sometimes don’t have responses but those instances are rare.
I appreciate candidates taking the time to answer questions. Citizens do read them and we hope it helps them to better make decisions on who to vote for.

Last week I had the pleasure of attending and covering the 75th anniversary celebration of the Nashville Lions Club.
I’ve always known Lions Clubs do a lot for their communities and that we’ve always been fortunate to have a club right here in Nashville which has remained a strong pillar in our community. Long-time member and past leader, Mr. Don Glisson, was a huge reason I knew the club was alive and well in our town. Though he has passed away, there are still many members and leaders keeping his legacy and his passion for the club’s purpose going strong today.

HARVEST FESTIVAL - TRUMAN VISIT ––  These photos were taken during the Nash County Harvest Festival Parade in 1960 which is the year President Truman visited Nashville to attend the festival.

Girl Scouts – North Carolina Coastal Pines designated Girl Scout Troop #530 of Red Oak  as one of twelve inaugural Daisy’s Dozen Elite Troops for 2012-2013.  Troop members were presented with award medals at an evening ceremony on Thursday, October 10, 2013.

Lervern and Patsy Sykes recently celebrated 60 years of marriage with a party given by their children at Peachtree Baptist Church in Spring Hope. They were married September 5, 1953 in El Paso, Texas.  They have four children, Robert Sykes and wife Amy; Cynthia Everett and husband Bill;  Vicky Valdivinous and husband Luna; and Timmy Sykes deceased in Nash County.  They are loved by nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

The Tar River Philharmonic kicks off the 2013-2014 season with a celebration of live music at their opening night concert on Thursday Oct. 24th at the Dunn Center.  One of their showcase pieces will be the Entrance of the Gladiators famously used by circuses around the world to call crowds to the big top.
In addition the Philharmonic is featuring two area soloists who have achieved exceptional levels of musicianship.

Luther “Lu Harvey” Lewis Jr.
Age:  55
Profession: Town Administrator/Economic Development for The Town of Middlesex full time since July 2012 - Before that I was part time for two years - Independent Life and Health Insurance Agent for the Past 12 years
Background: Have been Mayor since being appointed in July of 2005 after which I was elected to the office in November of 2005 and re-elected in 2007,2009 and 2011

Robert Johnson
Age:  54
Profession or background: Quality/Implementation Supervisor for Bridgestone America Tire Operation - Wilson, Board Member for Nash County Tourism, 2013 Graduate of Nash County Citizen’s Academy, Middlesex Board of Adjustment
Family: Married – Wife Pamela
Hobbies: Habitat Programs, Gardening, Traveling & Helping citizens

Editor’s note: Shelley B. Carroll, Allen Daniels and Phillip (Rocky) Winstead, all candidates for the two open town commissioner seats in Bailey, did not respond to the Graphic’s questionnaire.

Two competing applications have been filed with the Certificate of Need Section of the N.C. Division of Health Service Regulation to develop dialysis stations in Nash County.
A public hearing for these projects will be held at 11 a.m. on Nov. 18 in the Warner Meeting Room, 1st Floor, Braswell Memorial Library, 727 Grace St., Rocky Mount.

Nash County officials met with more residents from the Red Oak –Dortches area on October 15 at the Red Oak Middle School in order to explain the advantages of signing on to the county water services, should they be offered. More than 200 people showed up for this session as Nash County Engineer Derek Hawkes and Wooten Company Project Manager Brian Johnson explained the details of the proposed system.

Rocky Mount Police Chief James Moore compared law enforcement officers to spidermen last week, as the results of Operation Spider Web were released at a press conference.
Moore said the goal of the operation was simply restoring law and order to the streets of Rocky Mount.
“The ultimate goal was to bring peace to Rocky Mount,” Moore said.

Robbie Amerson, a Nashville Firefighter, (at left) jokes with Jamie Moss (at right), who played for the EMS team during the kickball tournament.

North Carolina Wesleyan College invites the Rocky Mount community to join students, faculty, and staff to celebrate the establishment of the college at a Founders Day ceremony on Thursday, October 24, at 11:00 a.m. in Minges Auditorium of the Dunn Center.
This year’s event will be a special tribute to the late Guy and Alice Barnes, long-time supporters of Wesleyan who were among the founders of the college in 1956.

Purple Schoolbus, October 26, 8 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. Come in costume & receive 10 percent  off your door admission!
Nash County’s Got Talent Auditions - October 28 and 29 beginning at 5:30 p.m.  Registration: $25 Individual/$50 Group.

Our choir sang “His Name is Wonderful” for the call to worship. Pastor Aycock welcomed everyone and prayed the prayer of invocation. Hymns of worship were “Come Thou Fount” and We’re Marching to Zion.” Algie Jones Jr. led the singing. Prayer concerns were shared. Mozelle Batchelor at Autumn Care in Nashville and doing very well.

After a week of dreary weather, Sunday morning brought beautiful sunshine.  Peachtree folks gathered for worship.  Pastor Whitehouse greeted those present.  Sanctuary flowers were given in honor of Mary Hazel Mink’s fifteenth birthday by her grandparents, Bob and Fran Bunn.  The flowers were graciously grown and arranged by Melba Hobgood from her garden.

Red Oak Baptist Church welcomes new members Ron and Robin Kelly and also Ron’s sister, Julie Kelly! 
Several ladies attended the Women in Action meeting at Red Oak Baptist Church on Tuesday, Oct. 15.  They enjoyed the fellowship and the supper with the program following.  They have many exciting missions plans in the works!