OUR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL EDITION
Our 32nd Year • Over 25,000 Weekly Readers ISSUE NO. 32 • August 8, 2024 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408
Swing dedicated to Honeycutt’s service; a quiet, sacred place for respite and peace Story contributed by Jean Gordon & Nell Bovender. Jean Gordon Photos.
John Miller, youth minister at First Baptist, said he and Honeycutt had conversations a few years ago walking in the park area. “We talked about Jesus” Miller said. Later the area became a place for early morning worship services. “This project showcased how the Town can work with landowners to craft a beautiful community asset and honor the life of someone who gave so much of themselves to provide for others,” said Town Manager Doug Barrick. “This project provides a lasting legacy for Billy, his family and our community to hopefully inspire others to live a life
dedicated to service to more than just ourselves.” “If you knew Billy, you understand that he would be uncomfortable with this recognition,” said his wife Terry. “But On a picture perfect July 27 Saturday morning, the late he would certainly be grateful that these two institutions Rev. Billy Honeycutt’s wife, Terry, their children, John and he loved – the Town of Rutherfordton and First Baptist Beth, grandchildren and friends, gathered to dedicate a Church, Rutherfordton – have collaborated to create a swing in loving memory of Honeycutt. The swing is at the beautiful spot for rest and reflection for the community.” corner of 2nd and Cleghorn streets in Rutherfordton, just The Honeycutt family offered a big “thank you” to all beyond the Purple Martin Trail. those who have had a hand in this project, she added. Those who spoke at the dedication ceremony, said “Billy lived out his faith by investing in the welfare of this Honeycutt always made them feel special and treated community and by addressing the needs of others. them as family. The swing area was described by We honor his memory when we continue his example speakers as a joyful place, a quiet place and sacred of service for others. Maybe, if you are sitting in the where people can come for respite and peace. swing sometime, you could spend a few moments The swing was installed by the Town of thinking of something you could do for someone else.” Rutherfordton in memory of “Bossman” Billy, the Rev. Aimee Hobbs, pastor of First Baptist, said nickname Women Roofers gave him years ago as the dedication prayer and referred to the swing areas they worked faithfully side by side, roofing houses as a place of respite and peace. and making other housing repairs. The Town honored Nell Bovender who worked with Honeycutt on Honeycutt’s spirit of caring for neighbors in need. hundreds of RHP projects, talked with Rodney Harris The Women Roofers raised money for an of Rutherfordton about Honeycutt’s work. additional planter and extra mulch for the adjacent “He still gets a lump in his throat when he garden. remembers watching volunteer women up on the roof Honeycutt was the founding chair of Rutherford of his parents’ house on Benton Lane more than 20 Housing Partnership (RHP). Since 1995 RHP has years ago,” Bovender writes. “The Women Roofers provided urgently needed repairs for low-income were roofing one of their first projects. homeowners in Rutherford County. He led countless Bovender also recalled the late Tootsie and volunteers to build ramps and porches and repair Charles Harris. They were aging when their son had roofs for RHP throughout all of Rutherford County. moved back to town to be able to help them out. One speaker said at the dedication ceremony, “These people showed they cared for my parents,” “next to his family, these are the things he loved Harris said. “They made my parents’ life brighter at a (RHP, Women Roofers).” time when their health was beginning to fail.” The swing project was a collaboration with First Those attending the ceremony were encouraged Baptist Church Rutherfordton which owns property to bring Little Debbie cakes and bottles of water to adjacent to the trail and where Honeycutt was a donate to RHP to assist with volunteer projects. member. The swing sits at the corner of Cleghorn and Honeycutt most often supplied Little Debbie cakes for Sisters Lora Godfrey and Ella Godfrey were the first to enjoy the swing and Second streets on a new sidewalk which connects watermelon (Honeycutt’s favorite fruit) immediately following the brief ceremony. snacks on work projects. the Purple Martin Trail to the Fairview community.
John Honeycutt leading a “Billy Honeycutt trivia game.”
Honeycutt’s family and friends at the dedication ceremony in Rutherfordton.
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A memorial plaque placed in the swing area.
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