800 Tarboro Street – Home of Jean Bailey and Family
I went to the Edgemont Community Association (HECA)meeting Tuesday night (7:00PM) at St. Marks on 1150 Tarboro St. Are you in need of prayer? Reverend Robert Yarborough is the man to see. This white lady wanted to shout afterward, hallelujah, and that’s bold for an Episcopalian. His prayer was powerful and righteous and with my imagination, it was like a gust of wind blew us all to the back wall.
This was the beginning of meeting Angels Unaware that night, which means it is likely you won’t know who or when this opportunity comes. The neighborhood is supported by St. Marks whose mission is to help ‘my people’ by word and deed. This church is the perfect backdrop for these Community Association Meetings. Through the door came 35+ neighbors, the nicest kind of people you will ever meet.
I’ve lost track of how long it has been since I attended a HECA meeting. It had something to do with my Board Seat on Preservation Rocky Mount. I was there this time because I meet two new marvelous people also having their dinner at The Main Street Gastro Pub. The amazing Coach Ollie Harris and VP of HECA, Sherry Little. (Now I know how The Brown Eyed Girl song came about. (They both have stories to tell and I hope to do that ASAP.)
Mr. Raymond Gantt, Jr. has been presiding 15+ years over the Historic Edgemont Neighborhood Association. This lovely gentleman is definitely one of the ‘angels’ you will meet. Making his community a better place is his passion. He also serves on the Historic Preservation Commission. You could not ask for better leadership than he provides not only for Edgemont but for Rocky Mount. You will understand when I say. “He is a sweet man.”
Oh, my goodness, Mrs. Pam West is a rock star. And, definitely an angel in disguise. She is a Director on the HECA Board of Directors. Based on her updated information for the group, without her enthusiasm, commitment, and heart for the youth of the area, a significant spark plug would be missing. This is a lady that needs cloning for all the Associations.
Mrs. West talked about a 2023 Summer Youth Program opportunity in Historic Edgemont Community. She reported on upcoming available Grants for Emergency Care, Rehabilitation, Repairs, and a grant named 50/50. What blew me away was under the flag of Edgemont Community Services for Seniors or disabled, June 20-Aug. 5 there is a program for teenagers about work and its value.
The last Angel I want to mention among many is Dr. Deborah Campbell. She is a Human Relations Specialist, 972-1165, in the Human Relations Department. She is a Rocky Mount enthusiast who believes that HECA offers the template to build community involvement, which is THE answer. Generating the leadership, programs and action from within beats the fire out of waiting on those from on high to act. THE only way to take charge of ones destiny and help neighbors, is to get involved. For $10.00 you can become a voting Member of the Association. Volunteer your time and talents to beautify, strengthen and empower your community.
HECA is filled with good people who have taken into their hands the way to guarantee a future. What they are doing to honor the past is the music we all need to hum. As an example:
: HECA Initiatives and Projects:
“2023-2026 Community Home Renovation – HECA is evaluating a number of different dilapidated homes in our neighborhood. We are interested in partnering with our neighbors and business owned property to rehab and make affordable housing available in our community.”
Having met Sherry and Coach Z, after attending the HECA meeting, I don’t know when I have felt such optimism. Julian of Norwich was right when she said, “All manner of things shall be well.”
This post is dedicated to JEAN BAILEY, founder of the HECA. Through her leadership, commitment, and hard work she rounded up her neighbors and they went to work. Today you have the association that she gave birth to and began to raise. With all her accomplishments, generosity, time served, this Association has to be one of her proudest moments. I send my respect and admiration to Jean and all of you. Stepheny Houghtlin
Stepheny Forgue Houghtlin grew up in Evanston, IL. and is a graduate of the University of Kentucky. She is an author of two novels: The Greening of a Heart and Facing East. She lives, writes and gardens in NC. Visit her: Stephenyhoughtlin.com
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2 thoughts on “Historic Edgemont Community Association – Meeting Angels Unaware in Rocky Mount, NC”
without their Leadership should have been on Line 3 . Sorry I wrote this in a hurry.
Thank You Stepheny for being a part of Our Association Meeting. It was a Joy to see You and have you meet Our Leaders. Bianca Davis and Ruth Brown, our Board Chair and Treasurer, were out of Town. We would not be where We are now without their Leadership. But Sherry Little, Pam West, and Coach Z, the Neighbors and the Human Relations Dept. Dr. Deborah Campbell and Archie Jones, along with the RMT. Police Dept. and Yolanda Thigpen have all contributed to our Success !
Raymond Gantt , Jr.
Edgemont President
Main Street Rocky Mount 
without their Leadership should have been on Line 3 . Sorry I wrote this in a hurry.
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Thank You Stepheny for being a part of Our Association Meeting. It was a Joy to see You and have you meet Our Leaders. Bianca Davis and Ruth Brown, our Board Chair and Treasurer, were out of Town. We would not be where We are now without their Leadership. But Sherry Little, Pam West, and Coach Z, the Neighbors and the Human Relations Dept. Dr. Deborah Campbell and Archie Jones, along with the RMT. Police Dept. and Yolanda Thigpen have all contributed to our Success !
Raymond Gantt , Jr.
Edgemont President
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