religion
The Chronicle, Thursday, December 22, 1983-Page B5
News, Features, Calendar, Obituaries
On Religion
Live Nativity Scene Is Tradition
^.AVDREYL. williams
M Writer
If it snows, it snows. A little bit of precipitation has yet
stop the annual live nativity scene at First Baptist
Church on Highland Avenue.
For 20 years, members of the church and the Women’s
Progressive Club have braved rain, snow and cold on the
front lawn of the church to recreate the birth of Jesus
Christ.
It’s tradition,” says Louise Smith, an active member
of the Progressive Club and other auxiliaries in the
church. “We are the only black church in Winston-Salem
lhat does a live nativity scene. We just started it and
oobody else followed.”
North Carolina weather officials say a cold wave will
,eep through the state this week, leaving much of the
piedmont with freezing temperatures and maybe snow.
Fowever, Smith, who has worked behind the scenes with
[he nativity project, doesn’t blink an eye because nothing
has stopped participants of the re-enactment before, she
up.
■They’ll be warm,” she says. “Under those costumes
they have on all their clothes. You would be surprised to
Inow just how much they do have on.”
Starting at 7 p.m. and lasting until 9 p.m. tonight and
Friday, 75 members of the church will participate in the
lativity scene.
Smith says the large number of people is needed for the
scene change every 20 minutes throughout the two hours.
“They don’t bat an eye,” she says. “They just pan
tomime the movements. The only folk who really move
around around are the shepherds.”
Every door of the church will be used as entrances and
exits for the scene changes, while coffee, hot chocolate
and doughnuts will be handy for nativity participants
coming out of the cold. A recorded tape of Dr. David
Hegley, pastor emeritus, and combined choirs of the
church will accompany the scene with music and
“It is important that we have the nativity scene
because in it is a message that has been given to
us from the Bible that says there is a Messiah. ”
— Louise Smith
Christmas messages.
Smith, a retired educator, who says she was “born and
raised in First Baptist,” has witnessed all of the nativity
scenes at the church since the first one was presented 20
years ago. “That’s right,” she says. “I’ve been to every
one of the nativity scenes at First Baptist and it has been
most receptive in our community.
“It is important that we have the nativity scene because
in it is a message that has been given to us from the Bible
that says there is a Messiah,” she says.
Smith says before urban development moved Into the
The real reason for Christmas as presented by members of First Baptist Church on Highland
Avenue (photo by James Parker).
Higland Avenue neighborhood, attendance at the re
enactment was at a peak.
“I would say the attendance is much smaller now than
it was 20 years ago because the neighborhood is less
populous,” she says. “After urban renewal came
through, a lot of families moved out. There were just
houses all up and down the street where parking lots are
now.”
But Smith says that many people from the old
neighborhood do make it a point to return to watch the
natvity scene, whether they just ride by or stop and look a
while.
Deaths And Funerals
Mr. Alexander Cobb, Member Of Antioch Baptist Church, Passes
W. Alexander Cobb
Mr. Alexander Cobb, of Aureole St., died Dec. II at
k Forsyth Memorial Hospital.
He was a native of Phoenix, N.C., the son of the late
tlr. and Mrs. Thomas Cobb, a member of the Antioch
laptist Church and a member of the Deacon Board.
Surviving as his sister, Mrs. Beatrice Jones of
liooklyn, N.Y.; one brother, Mr. James W. Cobb of
Mmington, N.C.; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Ruth Bee and
drs. Daisy Bee; one brother-in-law, Mr. Enstrom Bee
md other relatives.
Funeral services were conducted Dec. 17 at noon at the
kntioch Baptist Church with the Rev. R.C. Wilkins of-
iciating.
Interment followed in the Piedmont Memorial
jardens.
Hooper Funeral Directors took charge of services.
Ws. Mattie Jones
Mrs. Mattie Jones, of 1405 Douglas St., died Dec. 13
lithe Forsyth Memorial Hospital.
She was a native of Chester, S.C., had resided in this
ity for the past 60 years, was a member of the Mt. Zion
ihurch, a leader of the Dorcus Missionary Group, a Sun-
lay School member, a B.T.U. member, the Hattie Files
CALENDAR
Compiled By Lucile Douthit
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23
•The Piper’s Filter Union Hall will have a covered
dish supper and program at 7 p.m. Evangelist Linda
Smith is in charge of the program.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25
•The Department of Christian Education and the
Sunday School Department of St. John CME
Church, 650 Crawford Place, will hold their annual
Christmas program at 4 p.m. The Rev. John L.
Adams is the pastor.
•Bernard Thacker will be the special guest at the 11
a.m. worship service at Phillips Chapel Baptist
Church. The Rev. Charles Leake is the pastor.
•New Bethel Baptist, Union Baptist, St. John CME
and Emmanuel Baptist churches will hold a Union
Service at 7 p.m. at St. John CME. The Rev. John
Mendez and members from Emmanuel Baptist
Church are in charge of the service.
May the spirit of this holy season remain with you
all year and may you continue to read our church an-
aoiiiH-ements and attend the church of your choice
'' ■■Iihirly in 1984.
- Lucile H. Douthit
Chronicle welcomes church calendar notices,
nmneernents shoui-I he concise and typed or neat-
'rinted. Lhey also include the day, time,
e and spoiwors of the event, plus a number to cat!
additioi.iit information. Announcements should
addressed to the Winston-Salem Chronicle
iri:h Calendar, P.O. Box 3154, Winston-Salem,
■ 27103. The deadline for announcements is
''days at S;J0
Club, a member of the Dreamland Park Senior Citizens
Club, the Alvesta Flower Club and a retired employee of
the R.J, Reynolds Tobacco Co.
Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Harriet Tobe and
Mrs. Evelyn J. McDuffie, both of this city; one son, Mr.
Clenzo M. Jones; a foster son, Mr. Johnny Bibb; five
grandchildren; a devoted cousin, Mrs. Katie Dawkins of
Brooklyn, N.Y. and other relatives.
Funeral services were conducted Dec. 16 at 3:30 p.m.
at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Dr. Kelly O.P.
Goodwin officiating.
Interment followed in the Evergreen Cemetery.
Hooper Funeral Directors took charge of services.
Mr. Landson Robert Blackburn
Funeral services held for Mr. Landson Robert
Blackburn, of 1607 Harrison Avenue, were held on Dec.
7 at 2 p.m. in Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home with
the Rev. W. M. Owens officiating.
The remains did repose in the funeral home until the
funeral hour. The family did assemble and leave from the
residence at 1:30 p.m. enroute to the funeral home for the
service.
Interment was in the Bethlehem AME Zion Church
Cemetery in Pfafftown, N.C.
Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home look charge of
services.
Mrs. Helen Heath Shields
Funeral services for Mrs. Helen Heath Shields, of 2812
Drewry Lane, were held on Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. in Mercy
Seat Holy Church, Bishop T. R. Rice, pastor and Bishop
Joseph H. Adams, officiating.
The remains did repose in the funeral home until 1
p.m. at which time it was placed in state in the church un
til the funeral hour. The family did assemble and leave
from the residence at 1:30 p.m. enroute to the church for
the funeral.
Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery.
Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home took charge of
services.
Mr. James Vander Mathis
Funeral services for Mr. James Vander Mathis, of 901
West 25th St., were held on Dec. 10 at 1:30 p.m. in Clark
S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home with Dr. David R.
Hedgley officiating.
The remains did repose in the funeral home until the
funeral hour. The family did assemble and leave from his
residence at 12:40 p.m. enroute to the funeral home for
the services.
Interment was in the Evergreen Cemetery.
Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home took charge of
services.
Mrs. Mae Troy Kendrick ■'r'- ‘
Mrs. Mae Troy Kendrick, of 828 Gray Avenue, died on
Dec. 14 enroute to Forsyth Memorial Hospital.
She was a native of Commerce, Ga., and had lived in
this city for 61 years and was a member of Union Baptist
Church where she served on the Pastor’s Aid.
Surviving are her husband, Mr. Ransom Kendrick of
the home; two sisters, Mrs. Francine Peters of this city
and Mrs. Lutreal Johnson of Queens, N.Y.; several
nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Clark S. Brown d Sons Funeral Home took charge of
the services.
Mrs. Ruby Flower Deas
Mrs. Ruby Folwer Deas, of 2526 No. Patterson Ave.,
died Dec. 15 at Forsyth Memorial Hospital.
She was a native of this city, had attended the local
public schools, received her Bachelor of Science Degree
in Biology, her Master’s Degree in Library Science, a
graduate of Mclver High School, enrolled in N.C. Cen
tral University in Durham, a member of the Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority, a member of the First Baptist Church,
the Happy Hilly Sr. Citizens Club, Happy Hill Serving
Club, Favorite Ceramics Club, was a teacher and
librarian in the school system of Goldboro and LilT
ington, N.C., she later served as a member of the Library
staff at Voorhees College in Denmark, S.C. and
Winston-Salem State University.
Surviving are four sisters, Mrs. Eleanor F. Small, Mrs.
Sadie F. Rainey, Mrs. Lois F. Clyburn, all of this city,
and Mrs. Dorothy R. Edmonds of Littleton, N.C.; five
nieces, one nephew, two brothers-in-law, several other
relatives and friends.
Clark S. Brown & Sons Funeral Home took charge of
services.
Mrs. Pauline Butler Brown
Mrs. Pauline Butler Brown, of 3800 Bellvedere Ave.,
Baltimore, Md., died Dec. 16 at her home.
Born in Longtown, S.C., Fairfield County to the late
Daniel and Bertha Williams Butler, she received her
education at William Penn High School in High Point,
N.C., was a member of the Eastern Star, Court of
Calathe, Household of Ruth, the Elks and Unity Pro
gressive Social Club, all of Baltimore, a devoted member
of Whitestone Baptist Church where she worked faithful
ly with the Nurse’s Unit and Pastor’s Aid, wife of the late
Richard A. Brown who died in May 1966.
“ Surviving are one son, Mr. David Butier of Baltimore;
six daughters, Mrs. Pauline Boone and Mrs. Pensacola
Byrd, both of Baltimore, Mrs. Geneva Hoover and Mrs.
Alberta Lewis, both of Thomasville, N.C., Mrs. Dorothy
Williams of Charlotte and Mrs. Octavia Johnson of
Greensboro; 27 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, 3
great-great grandchildren, two sisters, Mrs. Irene Bunch
and Mrs. Jessie Lee Butler, both of Philadelphia, Pa.
Funeral services will be held Dec. 23 at 10 a.m. at
Whiteston Baptist Church in Baltimore with the Rev.
Thompson officiating.
The family will receive friends the evening of Dec. 22,
from 7 until 8 p.m. at Marshall Jones Funeral Home, 401
Edmondson Avenue, Baltimore, Md.
This has been a courtesy of Forsyth Funeral Home
rendering service with sincerely.
Mrs. Warnie Campbell Culhrell
Mrs. Warnie Campbell Cuthrell died Dec. 14 at N.C.
Baptist Hospital.
She was born in this city, lived here all of her life, and
was a member of Goler Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church.
Surviving are two sons, Mr. Lonnie Allred and Mr.
Rayvon Cuthrell, both of this city; one sister, Mrs.
Lavonia Clement of Washington, D.C.; one brother, Mr.
Bruce Campbell of this city; three grandchildren; two
daughters-in-law, Mrs. Mary Ann Allred and Mrs. Gloria
Cuthrell, all of this city; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Melzetta
Campbell of this city; several nieces, nephews, cousins,
other members of the family and friends.
Funeral Services were conducted on Dec. 17 at 3 p.m.
at Johnson’s Home of Memory Chapel with the Rev.
J.R. Bridges officiating.
Interment followed in the Evergreen Cemetery.
Johnson’s Home of Memory Funeral Directors took
charge of services and arrangemenis.
Church Notes
Dr. King’s Banquet Features Towns
U.S. Rep. Ed Towns, D-N.Y., will be the featured
speaker for the General Baptist State Convention’s Mar
tin Luther King Jr. Banquet on Jan. 13 in Raleigh.
The annual celebration of Dr. King’s birthday renews
the memory of the slain civil rights leader among Baptists
in the state and provides funding for the convention’s
Christian missions and ministries. The banquet begins at
7 p.m. in the Raleigh Civic Center, 500 Fayetteville Street
Mall.
Towns, a North Carolina native, was born in Chad-
bourn in 1934 and graduated from North Carolina A&T
State University in 1956. The son of a minister, he
believes America must uphold the dream of Dr, King and
rise up to face the great challenge of the present decade.
“We must tap the reservoir of strength in the talents
and spirit of the American people,” he said recently,
“and go forth with the hope and confidence that ... we
can make America’s future days it greatest days.”
Dr. King died outside his motel room in Memphis,
Tenn., from an assassin’s bullet on April 4, 1968. He had
gone to the city in support of a sanitation workers strike.
King was 39 years old.
A Baptist minister, King won the Nobel Peace Prize at
the age of 35.
“We’re especially pleased to sponsor the banquet this
year because our nation has designated King’s birthday as
a national holiday,” said Dr. C.C. Craig, executive
secretary-treasurer of the convention, which represents
1,700 North Carolina churches and more than 400,000
Missionary Baptists. “Dr. King was among the world’s
greatest men of the 20th century and was a symbol of
hope for millions of people from every race, creed, color
and religious persuasion.”
Proceeds from the event will support Shaw Univeristy
and the Shaw Divinity School in Raleigh, Central Or
phanage in Oxford, foreign and state missions. Tickets
may be purchased from the Baptist Headquarters, 603 S.
Wilmington St., Raleigh, for $15 each.
k Msh '/ciilima
yferf
And To All A Good
New Year
s
P.H. Rose
Northside
. Shopping
Center