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Published each Thursday since January 18,1973 Art livermore ubrart
pembroke state librar|
x ; - ,: z pembroke. nc 21372 ?
I he Carolina Indian Voice I
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? mbroke, NC Robeson County
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"Building communicative bridges in a tri-racial setting"
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William E. Locklear announces
for Pembroke Town Council
*WW I WObam K LockUar I
William EL Locklear has announced his candidacy for
a seat on the Pembroke Town Council. In making his
announcement, Locklear, 48, released the following
statement:
"I am seeking this office because I feel I have the
experience and knowledge that can be utilized to enhance
Pembroke to become more progressive in developing it to
its fullest potential.
"My background has prepared me to represent all
people. I was raised in a Christian home, on a farm, in a
family of twelve. I have a B.S. degree from Pembroke
State University in Education and have completed fifteen
hours toward a Master's Degree in Administration.
"I have eight years experience as a school teacher and
for the past sixteen years I have been employed with
Lumbee Regional Development Association in the area of
Job Training. As director of the Job Training Program, I
have been responsible for planning and implementing a
program with a budget of over one million dollars
annually, with a staff of fiteen, and an average of two
hundred trainees. I have served on local, state, regional
and national boards and committees."
Locldear is married to Elvers Locklear and they have
one daughter, Valerie.
Locklear continued: "As your representative I will
commit to the following: your concerns wfll be my
concerns: I will represent all citizens; I will be a
representative of integrity; my vote will be based on what
is best for Pembroke.
"Together we can make Pembroke a place where our
children and grandchildren wHl be proud to live. I solicit
your support November 5th."
Whatever Happened To...
RETHA OXENDINE LOCKLEAR
by Barbara Bmveboy-LockUar ,
SPECIAL TO THE CAROLINA INDIAN VOICE
Out Back Swamp way in southern Robeson County, 1
83-year-old Retha Oxendine Locklear site posture perfect <
in her favorite chair. The tall gieatrgrandmother speaks 1
softly of her family, friends, religious faith and the earth, i
Hie Lumbee Indian is firmly attached to all four. i
If she could live her life over, she says,'' I would change <
few things because I've had a good life. t
"The Lord's been good to me. He blessed me with a
wonderful husband and 12 beautiful children. He's ,
blessed me so many times."
Now a widow, Mrs. Lockleargrew up around McDonald ,
and Raynham communities in southern Robeson County.
She was one of six children bom to Bennie Oxendine and
Elzettie "Sif Hunt Oxendine. Her parents were tenant
farmers. And when Mrs. Loddear was only eight years
old, her mother died. When her father remarried and
moved to Florida, she stayed behind and was raised by
her oldest sister in her native community.
Several years later while visiting Pleasant View Church
in Fairmont, a handsome Lumbee bachelor walked up to
her and introduced himself as Clarence Locklear. She
shyly spoke to him and chatted on the grounds of the rural
Baptist church.
One night in 1924, after a year's courtship, Mr.
locklear, a World War I veteran, hired a taxi to drive him
and his girlfriend to Dillon, bm.u. ~?uouns where they
were married. Hie groom was 31 years old; the bride, 16.
Hiey took up housekeeping in a house the groom had
renovated for them.
Thus began a journey of 44 years for the couple. For 40
yean they worked the earth before hanging up the mule
lines for a final time in 1955. Mn. Loddear says that
during those four decades she learned firsthand the true
meaning of living off the land. It became a meaning
etched in hard work and the art of being resourceful.
Sharing in the hard work of farmlife were the couple's
four sons and eight daughters-all of whom lived into
adulthood. Like many others in Robeson County during
the Great Depression years, the Cochlears grew their own
wheat and com which were ground Into flour and meal.
Hiey raised the beef, pork and chicken they ate. There
were always two milk cows in the pasture where the
couple lived.
"One was always without calf so we could have milk to
drink," Mrs. Locklear explains. Usually nearby the cows
were two mules and a horse used in working the
"thrse- horse" farms the couple tended.
Mrs. Locklear admits that mealtime around the family
table was interesting. It became a time when the entire
family took time to gather for food and fellowship.
Plenty of food always graced the table, primarily
because Mrs. Locklear always canned and preserved
vegetables she grew and fruits given her by neighbors.
"I'd put away at least one hundred half gallon jars of
fruit every year. We made our own syrup. Hie only things
we bought from the store back then were coffee, sugar,
rice and face soap."
Ige soap was homemade and used in laundering
clothes.
Mra. Locklear says at mealtime It wasn't uncommon for
her to serve up 50-78 homemade biacuite depending on
how much "sweets" wars being offered on the menu.
And it usually took from two to thrse chickens per meal to
feed her large family.
Christmastime at the LosMsar heme was especially a
busy time in the Idle hen. Around a woodbuming stove.
Mr*. Uisfdear worked hour* preparing the annual quota
af 16 ashes and M pies served during the festive season
" There was never any left, or any thrown out. either."
ihe laugh*.
Always a resourceful homemaker, Mrs. Locklear saved
money on clothing because she designed and sewed the
clothes her children wore. Sewing on a pedal-driven
machine, she never used a pattern in creating the dozens
of garments her family wore with pride. She later got an
electric machine for her sewing projects, but even today
enjoys handbtitehlng some items like aprons and quilt
squares.
In 1955 Mr. Locklear retired from fanning. On ten acres
of land he'd bought in the Back Swamp community he
built a comfortable home for himself, his wife and their
unmarried children still living at home. In the spring of
1968, Mr. Locklear died. His widow never remarried.
"I didn't have time to remarry because I didn't have
time to court," she says. "I had three sons and a
daughter still single at the time of their father's death.
The youngest wss 18 years old.
IWIM WMIM' Mewwr
Three of the children lived out of town end il seemed to
me that one of them was coming: home every weekend to
visit There was no time to court.."
She says she many times regretted not remarrying
because she feels it would have given her a feeling of
security and comfort to have a mate to care for her during
the years of declining health. 8he also says she would
have been available to give of the tame care and comfort
to a mate aa well.
And though five of Mm. Locklear's twelve children are
deceaeed. and two heart attacks have slowed her parr,
she holds no bitterness for Ufa's knocks and blows. She
hold* steadfast to a religious faith she subscribed u> at
age IS. 8he regularly nourishes that faith through
attendance at her beloved Plney Grove Baptist Church;
and through dally doses of gospel music dispensed from a
radio la her bedroom.
Mm. IswkJear has never been licensed to drive an
siilikiHiJkila ttk|| t*ai irrasim ikla Mill* LtmiliiyMd 1a ntneeiin>< I
m eS eeBSW^^^^^e e^Pggs^PB^P ewe^^r# few ^eee^^Pweee^p^^m em Vfvvwegve"?
In small amounu beeauss she vieits longtime friends by
telephone. And these friends must times roturn the visit
In person,
Mr. & Mrs. Raeford Lowery Observe Golden
Anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Raeford Lowery observed their 50th
wedding anniversary on August 18, 1991 at Antioch
Baptist Church in St. Pauls. i
Raeford is the son of William Von and Nancy Lowery. .
He was reared on a farm in Robeson County. Like his .
father before him, Raeford continued to farm after his
marriage to Leviona (Bill) Carter. I
^ /*S- s-? 1
Leviona (Bill) Carter Lowery is the daughter of Lenny 1
and Edmond Carter. She was reared on a farm in
Lumberton. Raeford was 22 and Bill was 17 when they
were married in Dillon, South Carolina on August 18, ?
1941. Hie ceremony cost them $5.00. To their union were (
bom nine children. They are Edward (Pfete) Lowery; the
late Spencer (Dob) lowery; the late Calvin (Hump) <
lowery; the late Thomas Eari (Punky) Lowery; Nancy 1
(Cout) Lowery Knight; the late Tommy Ray (Eatty)
Lowery; Raymond (Fooher) lowery; Raeford (Nuckie)
Lowerv. Jr.; and Linda Lowery. j
Raeford and Bill have enjoyed a propsperous life. They (
report that their Kfe has been fileld with happiness, |
sadness, success, but most of all, they say, their pide and ]
joy are their children. i
the welcome was given by Mrs. Dorothy Loweiy
followed by an opening prayer by Rev. Sterling Chavis. A
special tribute was presented by the following: Rev. Lee
Ammons, Mr. Woodrow LocHear and Mr. Gus Hunt Ms.
Jackie Lowery rendered special music.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Lowery gave a special
presentation. The children participating were: Edward
IPfete) Lowry, Ms. Nancy Knight; Raymond Lowery;
Raeford Lowery, Jr.; and Linda Lowery.
A presentation was them given by the grandchildren.
Ihe grandchildren included Edward Jr.; Fred; Angie;
Jackie; Brent; Rodney; Dena; Calvin, Jr.; Curtis; Vickie;
Serald; Connie; Cale; and Cameran Ray.
Their was a special presentation by the great-grand
:hildren. These included: Justin; Shonda; Edward III;
Fred O'Renso; Ricky; Steven Jr.; and Euginia.
Rev. William Griffin offered the closing prayer.
A reception was held in the fellowship hall immediately
following the ceremony. There a delicious dinner was
lerved which featured a three-tiered cak which was baked
jy Stella Smith Jacobs. The cake was decorated by Avon
Hammonds and Jackie Lowery. Approximately 100 guests
were in attendance.
Mr. and Mrt. Roe ford bowery are ehowit with torna of
their children at the celebration of their 50th wedding
unmix nary. They are shown with three of their children.
IPhoto by T/Sgt Wm. P. ReveU]
Cody Eagle Hone Godwin of Pembroke u?u selected to
participate in Appalachian State Ihsivenity Summer
Enrichment Program for Gifted and Tblented Children at
Camp Broadstone from July H-M. Cody participated m
academic classes from 8:45 a.m. until It nook. The
afternoon campers participated in a variety of adventure
urns activities. FSnratng programs included swimming at
the Appalachian Stnte University pool, special interest
clabs, movies, and the camp dance Cody enjoyed the
camp vary much amd hopes to attend next year.
Cody i? the son of Han ey and SheUa Godwin.
LOCAL
HAPPENINGS
SOFTBALL TOURNEY SETT FOR PROSPECT
There will be a Softball tournament at Prospect
School. Route 3, Maxton. on the weekend of August 23-25
with the winning team receiving individual tropies. The
entry fee is $85 and you can contact Mr. Earl Lowery at ?
(919) 521-9592 to make your entry.
An outdoor patio set will be sold at a very reasonable
price during the tournament. Snacks and other
refreshments will be available through out the weekend
?oftball event. All proceeds will go to support the
Prospect little League Program and to complete the
construction of the Prospect Little League's restroom
facility. Therefore, your support will be greatly
appreciated and will benefit many, many young lives.
For more information you can contact Mr. Earl Lowery
at 919-521 9592. Ms. Fedelia Locklear at 919 521-3649 or
Mr. Harold Jacobs at 91*521 8699 or 919-521-8808.
POEMS WANTED FOR CONTEST AND ANTHOLOGY
Poems are now being accepted for entry in
Spnnowgrass Fhelry Forum's new "Distinguished Poet
awards" poetry contest. Cash prizes totaling $1,000 will
be awarded, including a $500 grand prize. The contest is
free to enter.
Poets may enter one poem only. 20 lines or less, on any
subject, in any style. Contest closes Sept. 30. 1991, but
poets are encouraged to send their work as soon as
possible, since poems entered in the contest also will be
considered for publication in the Summer 1992 edition of
Thrasured fbrmi of America, a hardcover anthology.
Anthology purchase many be required to insure
publication, but is not required to enter or win the
contest Prize winners will be notified by Nov. 30, 1991.
"Our contest is open to all. regardless of experience."
says Jerome P. Welch. Publisher. "We especiallyw ant to
see poems from new or emerging poets. We look for
sincerity and originality and welcome a wide vareity of
styles and themes. In fact, many of our contest winners
are new poets with new ideas."
Hem should be sent to Spa miw grass I Wiry Forum.
Inc., Dept. JP. 203 Diamond St.. Sistersville. WV 26171.
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