HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2008: Five from Edgecombe honored
by W. Terry Smith, The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, N.C. , The Daily Southerner
The inductees were Bourne, Kelvin Bryant, Ed Roberson and Harvie Ward of Tarboro, Norris Tolson of Pinetops and Phil Ford, Chuck Hinton and Thelonious Monk of Rocky Mount.
Bourne, whose wife described his fall earlier this week as a misstep, was honored for his tireless efforts as a volunteer and community leader. The World War II veteran with the U.S. Marines graduated from N.C. State University but received his law degree from the University of North Carolina. He practiced law for 30 years.
Always willing to help, Bourne donated land for the town's Indian Lake Athletic Complex and land for the East Carolina Agriculture and Education Center on Kingsboro Road.
Bourne's leadership skills have contributed to many programs in the area. He founded the Edgecombe County Forestry Club and is a charter member of the Edgecombe Beekeepers Association.
He is an active volunteer with 4-H, Habitat for Humanity, the Red Cross, Heritage Hospital and is a HOSTS member at Stocks Elementary School.
Bourne helped lead the campaign to raise $80,000 for the Veterans Memorial on the Tarboro Town Common where a fallen veteran is honored the first Monday of each month with the raising of the flag.
Bourne also helped lead the effort to build a museum to honor the hundreds of veterans of Edgecombe County. What started in one room of the Chamber of Commerce now has an entire building at 106 W. Church St.
Now he's trying to raise money to renovate the 89-year-old Colonial Theater downtown he bought and donated to the museum. Next spring a military-themed mural will be painted on its south wall.
When he had an opportunity to speak, Bourne thanked his fellow Golden K Kiwanis Club members and said he looked forward to continue working.
Honors are nothing new to Bourne, 83. In 2003 he was named the Tarboro-Edgecombe Citizen of the Year and last spring the Daughters of the American Revolution honored him for his community service.
Bryant, 48, was honored for his outstanding feats on the high school, college and professional football fields.
Another Tarboro native, Bryant played football, basketball, baseball and ran track at Tarboro High School. He was state champion in the 100-yard dash his junior year.
He was described as "one of the finest backs in college football" while he was scoring touchdowns for the University of North Carolina. He was nominated for the Heisman Trophy in 1981 when, despite injuries, he rushed for more than 1,000 yards and scored 18 TDs. He ranks fourth at UNC with more than 3,200 career rushing yards.
Both THS and UNC retired his No. 44 jersey. At Carolina, there is an academic and football scholarship in his name.
Bryant was drafted by the Philadelphia Stars of the United States Football League. He was the USFL's Player of the Year in 1983. Gov. Jim Hunt declared Aug. 4, 1983 Kelvin Bryant Day in North Carolina.
As a Washington Redskin, Bryant scored 20 TDs in 46 games and played in the 1988 Super Bowl.
"I am honored to be included," he said."There is no place I'd rather be than Tarboro. I love living here. I always have and always will. I've been really blessed ... and I thank God for my parents.
"Thank you again and go Heels."
The audience loved it.
Bryant is the activity director at Britthaven rest home in Tarboro.
Ford, 52, is an assistant coach with the NBA Charlotte Bobcats and missed the ceremony. He sent an autographed basketball for the Hall of Fame museum and promised to send the No. 12 jersey he wore at Rocky Mount Senior High, which has been retired.
Ford, who played at UNC where he was an All-American his freshman year (and consensus All-American the next three years), the starting point guard on the Gold Medal USA team in the 1976 Olympics, the ACC Athlete of the Year in 1977 and National Player of the Year in 1978.
Ford was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 1979. After several years in the pros, he retired to become an assistant coach for his alma mater from 1988-2000.
"Phil said of all the awards he has received, this stands at the top," said his friend Reggie Bartlett. "He thanks his teachers and coaches."
Hinton graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Rocky Mount and went on to Shaw University in Raleigh. He did not play baseball in high school and hitch-hiked to Maryland for a tryout. He played 11 years in the big leagues for the Baltimore Orioles, the Washington Senators and the Cleveland Indians. He was an All-Star in 1964.
After retiring from professional ball, he was the coach at Howard University for many years and wrote the book, "My Time at Bat."
He lives in Washington, D.C. with his wife of 52 years, Bunny.
"I am very, very happy to be a part of the Twin County Hall of Fame," said Hinton, 74. "Thank you."
Monk was born in 1917 in Rocky Mount and died in 1982 in New York where he lived most of his career.
He created over 70 compositions and is considered one of the world's greatest jazz musicians. During his rich musical life he played with many of America's famous musicians including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Count Basie, and Miles Davis. In 1964 he was on the cover of Time magazine.
Some recordings of Monk's music were played and Milton Bullock who ACCepted for him, sang Monk's rendition of "Nature Boy" in his honor.
Roberson, who lived in the house he was born in on Main Street, practiced medicine in his hometown for more than 40 years. He was considered "the dean of Edgecombe County physicians."
"Dr. Ed" earned a reputation as an outstanding physician and surgeon, but he is also remembered for his many years as Tarboro's mayor and for leading the area through the changes brought on by civil rights.
Roberson served the community for 28 years as a town councilman, with 14 years as mayor from 1961-75. The Tarboro senior center was named in his honor.
"My father was colorful, larger than life," said his son Edward III. "He was passionate about his vocation and advocation. I have heard him say: 'You put 'em on the table and I'll cut 'em and cure 'em.'
His son went over the many, many improvements his father presided over during his years in office, "Tarboro's Golden Era."
"He told me, 'Son, it's a great life.' and meant it. I'll agree, it is a great life and I thank you for this honor."
Roberson passed away in 1987.
Mary Wells introduced Tolson, who has been called "Mr. Fix It" for his work as Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Transportation under Gov. Hunt and Secretary of Revenue under Gov. Mike Easley.
"Norris, we need to send you to Wahsington," she said.
Tolson said, "A man is known by the company he keeps, and I am in good company tonight. I'm honored. I am humbled.
"The greatest honor is to serve this community. It's a great place to live and a wonderful place to serve. Thank you."
The Pinetops native worked all over the world with E.I. DuPont before coming home. He was elected to the General Assembly in 1994 and served two terms before Hunt came calling.
After Hurricane Floyd devastated Eastern North Carolinain 1999, he served as chairman of the state relief fund and raised $20 million in 10 weeks.
Tolson, 69, is chief executive officer of the North Carolina Biotechnology Center and serves on numerous foundations and boards across the state.
Ward, who was born in Tarboro in 1925, became "one of the best amateur golfers in the world."
Ward won the 1948 North and South Amateur at Pinehurst, the 1949 NCCA Championship, the British Amateur on his first try in 1952 and was one of only nine golfers to win consecutive U.S. Amateur championships when he did so in 1955 and '56. He won the Canadian Amateur in 1956.
He played on three U.S. Walker Cup teams and was undefeated in all six of his matches.
He was low amateur at The Masters several times and finished fourth in 1957.
"He was a warm and loving man," said his widow, Joanne. "He reached out to men and women, young and old.
"I thank you who have loved him for keeping his memory alive today. Thank you for the town he was so proud of."
Ward passed away in 2004.
To see more of The Daily Southerner or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://dailysoutherner.com/. Copyright (c) 2008, The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, N.C. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
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