Unveiled! 2016 Twin County Hall of Fame Portraits

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Twin County Hall of Fame Inductees Portraits Unveiled

 

Close to 400 people packed Nash Community College’s Brown Auditorium to celebrate the induction of thirteen community members who have had a huge impact on Edgecombe and Nash Counties in North Carolina. The evening started with a reception with music provided in honor of Jazz Great and Rocky Mount native, Harold Vick, by Ray and Reggie Codrington and Friends. Emcee Skip Carney brought the guests to their tables where The Reverend Jane Wilson of Tarboro’s Calvary Episcopal Church performed the Invocation. The inductees, their friends and families, and guests enjoyed dinner provided by Rocky Mount’s Gardner’s Barbeque. Each inductee was introduced by a board member or friend as their portrait was unveiled. Each inductee had an opportunity to speak or a member of their family accepted if they were deceased. The words shared were joyful and full of love and positivity showing why these inductees belong in the Hall of Fame.

Tarboro artist, Susan Fecho, created the portraits. We are thankful for her donation of her talents as well as the professional photography by Garry Hodges to document the night.

Join us in congratulating the Class of 2016!

 

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Episcopal Clergymen Joseph B. Cheshire, Sr.
Joseph B. Cheshire, Jr.

The Episcopal family clergymen served the Episcopal Church in North Carolina for 83 years. The elder Cheshire served as rector of Tarboro’s Calvary Episcopal Church from 1842 until his retirement in 1892. In 1873,  he founded St. Luke’s Episcopal, the first black parish in the Diocese of North Carolina.

The younger Cheshire born in Edgecombe County was the first native North Carolinian to hold the office of bishop. His episcopacy lasted nearly 40 years until his death in December 1932. Like his father, Bishop Cheshire was regarded as a vigorous supporter of African-American congregations and clergy. A disciplined historical scholar, he was author of several published works.

 

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Lela Harrell Chesson

Chesson established the first Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) chapter east of Raleigh. She wrote and performed “Out in Left Field,” a play about tolerance. Chesson taught English in Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools. She later served 20 years as community relations director in the school system. Chesson was an integral participant in founding the Twin County Education Foundation and co-authored the book “A Pictorial History of Rocky Mount.”

 

 

 

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Mayor J. Vines Cobb and Ann Cobb

The Cobbs served the town of Pinetops in numerous capacities during their 50-plus years of marriage. Ann Cobb served on numerous boards and commissions in Pinetops, Edgecombe County and in Pinetops Presbyterian Church. She was chorus director for several local celebrations and helped expose thousands of area children to the N.C. Symphony through performances brought to the area. J. Vines Cobb was elected to the Pinetops Town Council in 1965 and served 16 years as the town’s mayor. He was known as playing an instrumental part in helping bring several new industries to Pinetops. As a banker, Cobb served in various positions during his 35-year career with the former Peoples Bank and Trust.

 

 

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Dan Crocker and Brenda Crocker

The Crockers created the Tar River Choral and Orchestral Society Inc. in 1986. An avid trumpeter, Dan was the society’s first president, a position he currently holds. Brenda served as orchestra manager for 12 years and continues as a member of the board of directors. She also served four years as president of the Tar River Orchestral Society League, a fundraising auxiliary.

The Tar River Choral and Orchestral Society has expanded over the years from one ensemble to six, including the philharmonic orchestra, a symphonic band, a swing band, an adult chorus and the children’s chorus and youth strings.

 

 

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Patricia “Patsy” Johnson Gilliland

A former Miss North Carolina, professional singer on four continents, and private voice teacher with music degrees from Meredith College and Indiana University, Patsy has conducted the Tar River Children’s Chorus since 1993. Under her leadership, the Chorus has grown to 80 choristers, has repeatedly won top honors at various choral festivals, and has been invited to perform at the National Cathedral, Williamsburg’s Bruton Parish Church, and Charleston’s prestigious Piccolo Spoleto Festival. They received gold ratings in all categories at the Heritage National Choral Festival in New York City.

 

 

 

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The Rev. Richard Joyner

Joyner, who is the longtime pastor at Conetoe Missionary Baptist Church, is the founder of the Conetoe Family Center. The center is composed of a 25-acre community garden that focuses on educating local children, growing food and exposing church members to fresh produce and changing health outcomes. Joyner’s efforts have earned him several accolades, including as a finalist for a CNN hometown hero award in 2015. Joyner also is the community chaplain at Nash UNC Health Care.

 

 

 

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Jean Almand Kitchin

One of Rocky Mount’s most familiar personalities, Kitchin arrived in the area in 1986. Kitchin offered to host a regular program, “Tar Heel People” at a new independent TV station in Rocky Mount. She also has hosted “Around Town,” “The Buzz” and “Carolina Cooking.” Kitchin, who is a University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill graduate, is currently chairwoman of the University of North Carolina Lineberger Cancer Center’s Board of Visitors. Kitchen, who was the longtime owner of Almand’s Drug Stores, sold the business in 2014 to pharmacist Dr. Richard Kos and pharmacist technican Brad Hilton. Kitchin serves as Almand’s chief marketing officer.

 

 

 

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Dr. J. Reid Parrott

Parrott served 20 years as president of Nash Community College. During his tenure, the college experienced growth in enrollment, program offerings and facilities. Before Parrott arrived at NCC, he joined the N.C. Community College System in 1966. Under his leadership, curriculum standards were developed and implemented throughout the 58 college system. In addition, state and regional accreditation was attained by all 58 colleges and services were provided to new and expanding industries.

 

 

 

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Carter Ray Suggs

Suggs led Tarboro High School’s track team to back-to-back state championships in 1973 and 1974. In 1973, Suggs broke two state records and tied a national record. The next year he broke one of his own records and helped a relay team set a new state record. Suggs won three gold medals in the 1974 AAU Junior Olympics in Moscow. At East Carolina University, Suggs had five first-place finishes in the 1975 Southern Conference championships. After graduation, Suggs taught special needs students in the Tarboro School System.

 

 

 

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Harold Vick

Vick is respected as one of jazz’s great unsung saxophonists, He was born in 1936 in Rocky Mount and later graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and earned a college degree from Howard University. Vick first learned how to play piano at 8 and as he got older, the clarinet and saxophone. During his career, Vick played with accomplished performers such as Nat Adderley, Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, Mercer Ellington and Sarah Vaughan. He also acted and performed in several movies. Vick died in 1987.

 

 

 

We would like thank the following sponsors:

Table Sponsors
Barnhill Construction Company
Boddie-Noell Enterproses, Inc.
City of Rocky Mount
The Combs Group
Conetoe Family Life Center
Cornerstone Funeral Home & Cremations
WHIG
CSX
Daughtridge Sales Company, Inc.
First Carolina Bank
Friends of Lela Chesson
Friends of Ann and Vines Cobb
Friends of Dan and Brenda Crocker
Friends of Reid Parrott
Friends of Harold Vick
Friends of Richard Joyner
Marsh and John Mebane
Chris and Eric Miller
Nash County
Nash Health Care
Nash Community College
New Life Works Ministry
Suggs Family and Friends
PFLAG of Rocky Mount
DJ Rose and Son, Inc.
Mary Ruffin Agency
Wells Fargo Advisors

In-Kind Contributions
Skip Carney of Carney & Company
City of Rocky Mount
Susan Fecho
Garry Hodges Photography
Nash Community College
Sun Drop Bottling Company
WHIG-TV

Wish to nominate a community member? Learn more here.