They Braved The Cold to Give

Lawsonville, NC - Stokes County - January 17th, 2009

Lawsonville Community Building

On one of, if not the coldest days of the season, forty-five citizens from the Lawsonville community and surrounding areas came by the community center to give the gift of life.

At the start of the day, Ruritans assisted the Red Cross in the set up of their equipment with the temperature and bombing three degrees! Later that morning, dedicated donors filed in with seven donors presenting when the door opened at 9:00am.

Of the forty-five who came to give, two were first-time donors. Due to many varied circumstances, only thirty-eight of the forty-five were allowed to give. Some were attempting to give too early from their previous donation whiles others were not allowed due to various pre-screening reasons.

The Red Cross wanted everyone who attended to receive the following message: “On behalf of the American Red Cross and, more importantly, the patients and families that depend on your efforts, thank you.

We are proud to have you on our team – the largest volunteer team in the world. – Together, we can save a life.” The Ruritans would like to as well say “thank you” for the continued support the community provides for the multiple projects and programs conducted throughout the year.

We look forward so see you at our next blood drive in August of 2009!

Click here for more photos of the Blood Drive



Lawsonville Ruritans Honor Community Veterans

Lawsonville, NC - Stokes County - November 11th, 2008

Each year, our nation pauses to remember those who have given years and sometimes their lives to protect our freedom. This year, the Lawsonville Ruritan Club held it's fourth annual Veteran's Appreciation Dinner to recognize the dedication and services of our local soldiers.

The evening began with fellowship and story-telling by military personnel, past and present, with each recalling their days in each respective branch of our armed forces. Servicemen shared old and new stories about their experiences and then all enjoyed a heartfelt prayer before a wonderful meal.

The guest speaker for the evening was Jim Ingram, retired colonel with the United States Marine Corp. He recalled his days in service as the officer responsible for delivering the sad news to the families of soldiers killed in the line of duty during the Vietnam War. He spoke of the true sacrifice our soldiers and their families pay for the United States to remain a free nation.

The evening concluded with a time of fellowship and well wishes to all for a prosperous and safe remainder of the year. The Lawsonville Ruritans continue to appreciate the service of all our military personnel and wish each and their families the best.

Click here for more photos of the Veteran's Dinner







In Memory Of...

Akers

LAWSONVILLE - William Akers Doss, 83, of 6415 N.C. 8 Highway North, Lawsonville, was blessed with his final request to depart this life at home in his own bed on Wednesday, May 7, 2008.

Akers was born on Dec. 3, 1924, in Stokes County to the late Roy Lemuel and Trudie Essie Lackey Doss. He was a U.S. Army World War II veteran and received several medals. He became a member of Snow Creek Baptist Church in 1970 and was ordained as a deacon in 1971. He was retired from United Elastic Corp. with approximately 20 years service, was a member of the Relay for Life team and the Lawsonville Clovers 4-H club where he served as co-leader for 10 years. He was also a member of the Lawsonville Ruritan Club and received the "Ruritan of the Year" award in 2006.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, Ralph Doss. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Juliana Tucker Doss of the home; brother Curtis Doss and wife Mary Lee of Madison; sisters Pauline Francis and husband Charlie and Doris Hawkins and husband Sam, both of Sandy Ridge; sister-in-law Waynona Sands and husband, Gene of Lawsonville; and several special nieces and nephews. The funeral service was conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, May 9, at Snow Creek Primitive Baptist Church, with Elder Billy Knight and Brother Jimmy Tucker officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery with military rites provided by Patrick County Veterans Memorial Honor Guard.

Back to the top






Clay

Harry Clayton "Clay" Joyce, 76, of 2587 N.C. No. 8 Highway North, well-known funeral director and former owner of Nelson Funeral Home of Danbury, died Friday evening, Feb. 29, 2008, at Forsyth Medical Center. He was born Jan. 31, 1932, in Stokes County to the late Robert Hunter Joyce and Ila Moorefield Joyce. Mr. Joyce was a member of Peters Creek Baptist Church, a veteran of the U.S. Army having served in the Korean conflict, a member of Lawsonville Ruritan Club and was a cabinet member of Ruritan National, Piedmont District and was secretary-treasurer of Stokes County Firemen' s Benevolent Association. He was a graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science and was licensed with the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service and the Commonwealth of Virginia Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers. Clay and Diann are presently associated with Howell-Nelson Funeral Home of Pilot Mountain. Surviving is his wife of 58 years, Diann Nelson Joyce of the home; and a brother-in-law, Ben Johnson of Gastonia. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Coleen Johnson; and a brother, Bobby Joyce. 

For pictures of Clay during Ruritan events over the past 3 years, please click on the thumbnails below.  His 42 years of dedicated service to Ruritan is exemplary and tough to match.  Countless lives have been touched by Clay and his wife Diann as they ministered to families in some of their darkest times.  He truly lived the way of a Christian and by the principle of Ruritan... Fellowship, Goodwill, and  Community Service.....  Clay will surely be missed.


Back to the top