February 2021
The Liberty Leader Newspaper
Volume 19 Issue 2
Deadline Feb 26 Release Date
March 5
What is Black History Month ? Black History ( or also called African - American History Month) is a time when African-Americans Can take the time out and see what the people before Them fought for. Black History is a time of rejoicing, celebrating And thanking those African-Americans for giving Us hope or a life lesson that could be used. It is celebrated in US, Canada, United Kingdom and Netherlands. It is celebrated in US and Canada on February and in Europe on October. Here below is some of the locals that have or are making their marks in our community. Pretty cool list and I have learned that we have alot to be proud of in our community some brought back memories for me and some were new learned items. Hope you enjoy the list that has been provided by locals for this story. Royal Harmonizer Signing Group • Dr Mindy A. Butler an author • Vera's Kiddie Care (by Vera Andrews) was the first daycare ; Janice • Sykes stated "Vera Andrews and the years she worked to love children and spread love to everyone she met A J Shoffner first African American care salesman in Liberty (I • personally remember he brought car to my grandmother to see a car); local Sylvia Langley remembers how a great man he was and he sold her daughter her first car; local Gail Emerson stated he was a great man after God's heart and was like a father figure to all the Busy Bees at Lewis Grove Holiness CHurch . Sydney Shoffner - Miss Randolph County Hospitality Queen • Sandra Cheek Bartell - 1st AF Am female to play basketball at • Liberty High School Kenneth Shoffner - 1st Af Am police officer in Liberty • Liberty Event Center - Jimmy Price to start the place to eat and is • continued by the Matthews family West Liberty Improvement Associations • Kimes Funeral Home and now Funeral Services • St Stephens African Methodist Church • Edwards Grove Missionary Baptist Church • James Scott Farrin - football and went to law school at Wake Forest • Attorney R. Steve Bowden - Local Lorie Garland stated , Steve • Bowden. One of the very best football players that ever played at Liberty and became a very successful lawyer, owning his own firm Attorney Joel G. Bowden • Magistrate - Quincy Siler J.D. • Frances Martin - awesome teacher at Liberty School - impacted so • many kids with her love
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West End Grocery and Grill, Zyke Wall Cobles Car Wash James Wall, Charlie Day, Jack Patterson, Charlie Love, Frances Clay, JI Smith, Ruth Black, Billy Ray Shoffner, Steve McClain, Peter Coltrane, .....all gone on Billy Baldwin - Honor Guard Bennie Foster - Honor Guard Gwen Troxler - Liberty School teacher and the kids love her , local Ted Watkins stated , "still one of my top favorite and most inspirational teachers I ever had, and to think she my kindergarten teachers assistant....still has an impact. One of the most crucial aspects of life, your youngest, when you develop life skills, habits, respect and so forth Keith Bartell - amazing voice and performances - plus has music CD's - so much talent and a love for GOD Rae Bartell - 30 year oncology nurse Ray Emerson - first black male at Randolph Telephone Company, Lexington Telephone Company and Carolina Telephone & Telegraph hired in a Technology position. He also won the first Soul Brother race at Piedmont Drag Strip in 1984.Also a great coach and also started concession stand, which was later organized as the LYAA so kids did not have to pay to play sports in Liberty! Clarence Coble. Two not from Liberty but that had a big impact on students in Liberty are Mrs. Hooker and Mr. Norman Humphry - both teachers that we loved Wanda Garner - Liberty School Custodian- Thanks For All She Does Donovan Kime and his wonderful family at Kimes Funeral Home. Clarence Coble, a proud ,Christian man with a very strong work ethic. Local Dawn Light stated, "I remember when they hired him at Worcester Controls at retirement age , a lot of people wondered why at this age, but little did they know, he could run circles around the younger ones. I worked for him at Liberty Furniture and couldn’t have ask for a better supervisor. Ruth, his wife was also a very strong woman with a hard working work ethic. I remember working with her also at Liberty Furniture. We all at Liberty Furniture share such good memories. They also raised a beautiful family" Marc's Barber Shop Sandra Cheek Bartell - published author Continued on page 2
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Serving Liberty, Staley, Snow Camp, Julian, Climax, Ramseur & Franklinville www.libertynewspaper.org Page 1 of 32 2021 Volume Free Monthly Newspaper February 19 * Issue 2
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