Comments:
Gary and I met in 1974. I was a teacher at Caswell Center and he was teacher, coach and athletic director at Bethel Christian Academy. It was love at first sight for both of us. We married in April, 1976 over our Easter break. We had a short honeymoon in Williamsburg, Virginia because Gary had to come home for a baseball game. Wiiliamsburg was a good distination for a history teacher and 1976 was our country's 200th anniversary. Gary had a large, loving family. We hosted many annual family reunions at our home on Mount Vernon Drive as did his brother Ike and his wife Carol at their home on Westbrooke Drive. Kinston has always been home base for the Southerland Clan. Fare for food at reunions was always shrimp, crab stew, sometimes fried fish. The favorite vegetable was twice cooked skin on potatoes. Gary was always a better cook than I. After his mother died in 1973, he and his father cooked all their meals and kept a nice house. We reared two wonderful sons who both remind me of their daddy everytime we are together. Our first grandchild is due to arrive on the scene in September. Gary and I always talked about growing old together and enjoying our grandchildren. We miss him so much!!
