I Published each Thursday since January 18,1973 I
? I r csx?"? ?
? isi f
iipi
h. Carolina Indian Voice
p-i f~ |
rC H i
i'i r r S i
; | embroke, NC Robeson County
| ? g " t: "Building communicative bridges in a tri-racial setting"
B, { ro! fc
? |i c
19 NUMBER 13 . THURSDAY. MARCH S8. 1991 25 CENTS HER COPY
: 1 1 I T
Whatever Happened to ...
Earl Rayeford Sheppard
By Barbara Braveboy-Locldear
SPECIAL TV THECABOUNA INDIAN VOICE
His family and neighbors call him Eart. Thousands of
his former high school students ealj him "Mr.Shep." His
birth certificate shows him to be Earl Rayeford Sheppard.
Those who know him agree he's one kind fellowman.
One of three children of Duel Sheppard and Hattie Mae
Branch Sheppard, he was bom in McDonald. He was
three years old when his father died and says he was
bleaaad with another father five years later when his
widowed mother married Willoughby Jones. He later
gained a third sister with his mother's marriage to Mr.
"Really he was the only father I ever knew," Mr.
Sheppard says of the late Mr. Jones. "I dearly loved
him."
Reared by loving parents in the Hopewell community.
Mr. Sheppard says his early childhood years were spent
growing up on a 103-acre farm his father bought as
woodland and later cleared into new ground.
r - i
He attended Hopewell School whet* among his
elementary teachers were Auzout "Oao"; Edmond;
Loshia and Lula, all member* of a Lowry family in the
community. After completing the seventh grade at the
all-Indian school, he entered the Indian Normal High
School in fanbroks. A year later he was among the first'
ever class to enter Pembroke High School, a newly built
facility near what today is Pembroke State University.
And in 1940 his eras the first graduating class of the
which offered an eleven grades program. Mr. Sheppard
says the following year a twelfth gnde was added at the
school where J.R Lowiy served as principal.
In 1941 the young Lumbee Indian was drafted into
military service with the U.S. Army. After IS weeks of
bask training at Ft Bragg, NC he says he, along with
others in his unit, was loaded up and transported to a spot
in South Carolina.
"It was night and our unit was on maneuvers. We were
literally dropped off in a cotton patch, then driven to a
nearby woods where we spent the night," he laughs.
He was to serve at Camp Sanding in Florida and Camp
Shelby in Mississippi before leaving overseas for World
War n duty.
"I hadn't been back home to Bobeeon County since
leaving forth# Army and had received my first two-weeks
furlough."
According to the veteran en his sstend day beck in his
boyhood community a telegram arrived from his
commanding officer to report to camp immediately. With
baga parked ha rstamod; boarded a ship and was
deployed to the war none.
He left behind a childhood sweetheart whom he'd
courted since he was 14. For 36 months the soldier
courted her by letters he sent from islands in the SW
Pacific.
In the fall of 1MB the war veteran came home to
Robeson County. The following spring he and his
28-year-old childhood sweetheart. Sarah Ransom were
married in Dillon. SC.
A few weeks later the couple mowed to Boiling Green,
Kentucky where Mr. Sheppard enrolled in Western
Kentucky University. There he studied alongside his
brother-in-law, English E. Jones, former chancellor of
Pembroke State University.
He says the first of his three sons was born while he
was a student at the university.
In February of 1960, from the university, Mr. Sheppard
earned a bachelor degree in vocational agriculture.
He returned to Robeson County and immediately took a
position at Pern broke High School where he taught
agricultural courses. He remained in the same position at
the same school for 81 years.
It was durinar his trsfhinr career that he eras
affectionately called "Mr. Shop" by his students. Tbey
still call him that today, he says.
"I was lucky to remain at the same school throughout
my teaching years," he comments.
But his many students say the tuck was theirs to have
' such a kind and earing teacher and friend.
Mr. flheppaed gave hiss self a special birthday present
when on June 36, 1961, he retired.
in ?ye llmngjln snjuyerHanshiegr he dees estmissit
contacted twice to inbstHuUj. He declined both times and
adds that it pianaee Mm that no mom calls followed.
Today he is vary happy in retirement which has
afforded him time to sets Mirk a vineyard boasting 16
greps ilnss and an orchard producing fruit from peach
and apple trees. An annual vegetable garden yields
enough food to share with neighbors and Ms sons and
their families. His oldest son is deceased
The grandfather of six no longer quail hunts but dees
enjoy fishing on the Lumbee River with former
' colleagues, Fred Lowry and Afaner N. Loddear.
"I'd rather be fishing on the Luaabee River than any
place I know," he adds.
He like* pier fishing at the ocean because it enables
him to meet people from around the state.
"I've always loved people," he smiles.
He says there are few idle hours in his retirement
While he does not tend his (arm whieh he rents to a local
fanner, he dees hsep physically fit by molting in his
specious grounds which surround his home in the
Hopewell community. ?
He owns no livestock
"I don't want anything outside the house I have to
feed."
A busy schedule leaves little time for much involvement
in dvie dubs and organizations. But attending his beloved
Helper's Ftenry Baptist Church remains s part of Mr.
Sheppard's weekly schedule.
Two years, ago be worked with a bookstore which
operated under the auspices of Lumbee Regional
"We offered top-notch reading books to the general
public at s giveaway price of s quarter or fifty cents each.
The dissemination of books benefitted families and
students and ft was a good ides," he comments.
Mr. Sheppard says there is no secret to his longevity,
"lest sensibly, haws something to do everyday, leve life
and people. There's no secret to that"
jtECONO ANNUAC ?>55 U ?d)<3PE?;
mUjfZC FESfCXWAC SfCHEDUCED
BY GENE WARREN
.They have performed at the White House for former
President Jimmy Carter and made numerous appearances
at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tenn.
They are The Kingsmen, who are booked out of
Nashville, Tenn., and will be among the groups
performing at Pembroke State University's second annual
"Gospel Music Festival" April 25.
Current members include founder Qdridge Fox, lead
singer Jim HammQl, tenor Gary Sheppard, bass singer
Ray Dean Reese-and the band composed of Anthony
Burger on the piano, Tim Surratt on the baas, Greg Fox on
the drums, and Guy Dillard, who plays the steeler guitar,
banjo, dobro, harmonica, bass guitar and rhythm guitar.
Under the guidance of Fox and HammOl, The
Kingsmen have won nearly every accolade in Southern
gospel music. They have won numerous Dove Awards
from the Gospel Music Association and have received
honors from "The Singing News" for awards in every
category except for "Top Female Vocalist" and "Top
Mixed Group."
The Kingsmen have recorded over 100 albums that
contain songs that have become Southern gospel classics,
including "Stand Up." "The Ole Ship of Zion," and
"Excuses." They have also released a number of videos,
including "Mississippi Live" and "Stand Up At
Opryiand."
Founder Fox deacribes their music as Southern Gospel
and says they are proud of it
"We started with a Southern gospel sound, and we've
never deviated from it in any way," Fox says. "We do
what ire do, and we don't have any desire to be anything
other than exactly what we are."
Fox feels The Kingsmen's longevity stems from two
bete: "(1) Trying our best to do the Dud's will, and <2>
doing what people tyarit us to do-not what the industry
wants or expects.''
For Fox, the dream of performing in a gospel quartet
began in childhood. He says after attending a concert
featuring The Rangers, The Sunshine Boys and The
Homeland Harmony Quartet, he knew he wanted to spend
his life glorifying the Lord through music. In 1953, he
formed a group called The Silvertones, but was called into
the Armed Forces. When his military stint was
completed, he organized a group called The Kingsmen.
The pressures of balancing their jobs and families and
performing on weekends'Proved too great and this group
disbanded.
However, Fox bought out the other members, retained
The Kingsmen name and began developing what has
become an institution in Southern gospel music.
Each member of the group has been with The
Kingsmen for several years. Reese, of Asheville. has 20
years with the group; Hammill, of Memphis, Tenn., 18
years; DOlard, of Birmingham, Ala., 13 years; Greg Fox.
son of founder Eldridge Fox, 13 years; Burger, of
Cleveland, Tenn., 11 years; Sheppard, of Oates, Mo.. 6
years; and Surratt, of Canton, N.C.. the newcomer of the
group.
Eldridge Fox sees The Kingsmen as an on-going
institution. "We're going to continue doing what has
made us successful- singing for the Lord and our fans. If
we do those things, everything else will take care of
itself," he says.
Tickets are $5 for the "Gospel Music Festival." Ticket
outlets are: Lemberton-Christian Book Store. Dee's
Hallmark Shop, McNeill's Jewelers, Merrimac Music,
Robeson Baptist Assn., The Comic Book Shop;
Pembroke-Burnt Swamp Baptist Assn.; Laurinbury
Quick Copy; Fbyetteville - The Dancer at Cross Fointe;
and Red Springs--McNeill's Jewelers. For more informa
tion, telephone (919)521-0778.
tt- t?? -? - ~
Tko Kingsmen of Nashville, 7V**., will bo among the
groups performing at Pembroke State I havers Uy 's second annual 'Gospel Music Festival" April 25.
[7Jku it the first m a series of articles on groups State University "Gospel Music Festival" Thursday,
who will be performing in the second annual Pembroke April 25. at 7 p.m. m PSLTs Performing Arts Center. |
HORSE SHOW TO BE HELD AT
N. C. INDIAN CULTURAL CENTER
A racking and game horse show
featuring some of the best show
hones in the region will be held
Saturday. March 30. 1991 beginning
at 1 p.m. at the North Carolina Indian
Cultural Center which is located off
Highway 74 near Pembroke
According to Bruce SweU, chair
man of the horse show committee, a
large number of horses from North
Carolina and adjoining slates are
expected to be shown in 30 events
and classes. "Owners of horses who
have won national and world class
?bows have said they would be here.
Over $2,800 in prise money will be
awarded in the show," said Mr.
Swntt.
"You can see the best in beauty,
style, performance, and speed at the
show." said Mr. Swell. "This is
exciting entertainment that will be
fun for the whole family."
Mr. Swett noted that horse riding
and showing is wry popular in the
area. He explained that the show is
an annual event held in Pembroke
and has been rated one of the best
shows in southeastern North Caro
lina.
Mr. SweU said the show will begin
at 1 p.m. with children's competi
tion. and will end with the major
competition for game homes, and
racking hones. Admission is 12.00.
"The Culture! Center site is an
excellent location for the show," said
Mr. SwrtL "We have a beautiful
setting that has picnic and play
ground facilities. Boating, fishing,
and camping are also available at the
site."
Mr. 8wrt? rwhile
much of the competition categories
require special equipment, some
categories are open to novice riders.
He said the Indian regalia and
children's lead-in competitions are
unusual and exciting events.
The show is sponsored by the
North Carolina Indian Cultural
Center and proceeds from the event
will be used to help develop the
Cultural Center as a tourist attrac
tion.
The announcer for the show is
RW. Shariey. The racing and game
horse judge is Mike Manc.tck. Other
members of the show committee are
Willie Collins and interested com
munity residents.
For additional information about
the show, contact the Indian Cultural
Center at (919)521-2433.
m
Soirvice to be ln^Xci
An Easter Sunrise Service will be
held Sunday. March 31, 1991 from
TtOOtoStQO n.m. at the amphitheater
at the North Carolina Indian Cultural
Center
Reverend Michael Cummlngs, Die
actor of Missions lor the Burnt
Swamp Baptist Association will
deliver the msasags. "The Spiritual
M Irs lies" a gospel singing group at
Brad Baptist Church of Rowland will
pretdde a^t^relal ^trusts, ^^^r^ttlt^si^is
VFW Club wfll present a special
tribute to member* of the military,
veteran*, and their families.
According to Hnice Swell. Site
Manager for the Indian Cultural
Center, the site of (he event has
much acenir and natural beauty.
"We hope to aee a beautiful aunriae
over the lake at the site," he aaid.
The public la cordially invited to
attend. Admlaaion la free.
For more information, contact
Bruce Bwett at the Indian Ctdiural
Center at (SISHMI MM.
Acquires Indian
JL.. JUfcj Iiiiailfc ift Hi niininfftnrf
pimaa/po*"* Han/anioUaam "hSm~*?"m4 I
(Ml that it ww ?????>* at a M wiMnm to
JWMm, NIC. Jl?v. #rya*< fc?W it ha "nam*
mm pmaamaU." B
Sou not! read It In
Th# Carolina Indian Vole*