#Rev. Jim Harden

[coochiequeens]

Vance said the following at the anti-abortion March for Life in January: “I want more babies in the United States of America. I want more happy children in our country, and I want beautiful young men and women who are eager to welcome them into the world and eager to raise them.”

Is Vance willing to help the economy so young people can be eager to start a family? Or is he going to be OK with. Or more money being spent of foster care because the potential adoptive parents from even 10 years ago are now sinking their hopes (and money) into IVF and surrogacy to have biological offspring

By Susan Rinkunas  |  March 4, 2025 |

It’s no secret that conservatives want to ban abortion pills or make them so much harder to obtain that they’re effectively banned. It’s also no secret that a number of freaks currently running our country are obsessed with everyone popping out babies. What we don’t know at this point is which tactics they’ll use to push their anti-abortion, pro-natalist agenda or how they’ll rationalize further limits on abortion access.

One tool Republicans could use would be misapplying the 19th-century Comstock Act to prevent sending the medications mifepristone and misoprostol in the mail. (Nearly two-thirds of all reported abortions in 2023 were done with abortion pills.) In a January letter, activists urged the Department of Justice to begin enforcing the zombie anti-obscenity law that bans sending abortion drugs or devices in the mail. (The Biden administration said the dusty old law shouldn’t be applied to legal abortions, but they’re not in office anymore.) In February, Attorney General Pam Bondi raised alarm bells when she told a Louisiana prosecutor she “would love to work with [him]” on a criminal case against a New York doctor who allegedly mailed abortion pills to a woman and her teen daughter. Bondi could be signaling that she’s open to prosecuting the physician under Comstock, but we have to wait to find out.

This week, one anti-abortion activist implored Bondi to enforce Comstock and gave two rationalizations: One, it could possibly bankrupt abortion providers and, two, it could maybe help with the country’s declining birth rate. 

Rev. Jim Harden, the CEO of a crisis pregnancy center chain called CompassCare, said in a Monday interview with an apparent right-wing outlet called Just the News that Planned Parenthood is the single largest provider of abortions and gets millions of dollars from the government from programs like Medicaid. “It’s the biggest abortion business, probably on the planet,” Harden said. “If they shut down, it’s going to be good for women. There’s so many fantastic pro-life pregnancy centers.”

Harden then not-so-subtly hinted that Bondi could achieve the GOP goal of “defunding” Planned Parenthood by hitting them with Comstock prosecutions for actions that occurred even before Trump took office a second time.

“If Pam Bondi decides that she wants to enforce the Comstock Act, which basically says it’s illegal to ship chemical abortion drugs across state lines—and by the way, that’s 60% of all abortions in America right now is chemical abortion—the Comstock Act would essentially bankrupt the abortion industry in a very short period of time, because one violation is [up to] a $250,000 fine with a five-year statute of limitations, plus racketing charges,” he said.

But it got worse. He then claimed that abortion was “decimating minority communities” and that conservatives needed to focus more on women and children, specifically, making the former produce more of the latter. “Our country is facing a baby shortage,” Harden said. “We have a fertility problem in this country, not because women can’t have babies but because abortion is decimating the population.”

This sounds like a dog whistle tuned precisely for the pro-natalist creep ears of shadow president Elon Musk and Vice President JD Vance. Musk has 14 children that we know of, and Vance said the following at the anti-abortion March for Life in January: “I want more babies in the United States of America. I want more happy children in our country, and I want beautiful young men and women who are eager to welcome them into the world and eager to raise them.”

Few people make this birthrate argument against abortion pills, but the ones that do sound extremely weird. The Attorneys General of Kansas, Idaho, and Missouri claim in a lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration that easier access to medication abortion is lowering teen birth rates in their states, which could reduce their population and lead to losing seats in Congress and federal funds. (In June, the Supreme Court said the original plaintiffs in this case weren’t harmed by the FDA’s actions and thereby didn’t have legal standing to sue, but the state AGs marched into a notorious anti-abortion judge’s courtroom and he said they can continue the litigation.)

Abortion is not the reason the birthrate is falling. That would be unchecked capitalism where working people don’t make enough money to feed and clothe children, let alone afford housing big enough for families, and aren’t guaranteed paid leave to recover from birth. Plus, the proliferation of abortion bans has led to more people choosing permanent sterilization rather than risk being forced to carry pregnancies that could kill or disable them and then parent children they don’t want. Food for thought, Pam!

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Launches Task Force to Target Pro-Life Christians

by Rich Ronald

On November 6, 2024, NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, in conjunction with the NY Attorney General’s office, announced the launch of the New Empire State Freedom Initiative.

During the announcement, Gov. Hochul confirmed that NY Ballot Proposition One was designed to enshrine abortion as a constitutional right in NY. CompassCare CEO, Rev. Jim Harden, calls the amendment “experimental” and “fundamentally different” than any of the other 10 ballot initiatives that were voted on in November.

The results of the November 5th election reveal seven (7) of the ten (10) proposed abortion ballot initiatives passed, all by an approximate 60/40 margin. Rev. Jim Harden encourages Republican leaders to see the big picture, “Kamala Harris ran as the Abortion Czar. The voice of the people strongly opposed her—a clear moral mandate. Do not let the passage of these seven abortion ballot initiatives convince you to back away from abortion. Beyond the…

continue this article at Life News

[jiggyjaguar1]

CompassCare’s CEO, Rev. Jim Harden, discusses the case, and how The Thomas More Society (TMS) is representing CompassCare.

[the-record-obituaries]

April 10, 2019: Obituaries

Barbara Church, 78

Barbara Ann Church, age 78, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Sunday, April 7, 2019 at SECU Hospice Home in Yadkinville. She was born November 23, 1940 in Wilkes County to Monroe and Grace Brewer Johnson. Mrs. Church was a member of Miller Cross Baptist Church. Barbara retired from Wilkes County Board of Education after 27 years as cafeteria manager at Mtn. View Elementary  School. She was preceded in death by her parents; and brother, Harold Johnson.

           Mrs. Church is survived by her husband, David Carl Church; her children, son, James Shannon Church of North Wilkesboro; daughter, Sharon Royal and spouse David of North Wilkesboro, son, David Hayden Church and spouse Ashley of North Wilkesboro; grandchildren, Joshua Shawn Church and spouse Loretta of Stanley, North Dakota, David Shannon Church and spouse Jammie of Glen St. Mary, Florida, Beth McNeill and spouse Brandon of North Wilkesboro, Zachary Adam Church and spouse Hailey of Franklin, Tennessee, Madison Grayum, River Hayden Church both of North Wilkesboro, great grandchildren, Aubree Church, Luke Church, Titus Church, Darci Church, Zoe McNeill, brothers, Edward Johnson, Mack Johnson and spouse Mary all of North Wilkesboro, Steve Johnson of Moravian Falls; sister, Cathy Wagoner and spouse Jim of North Wilkesboro; several nieces and nephews.

           Funeral service will be held 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, 2019 at Miller Funeral Chapel with Brother Jason Whitley officiating. Entombment will follow in Mountlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends at Miller Funeral Service from 12:00 until 1:00 on Wednesday, prior to the service. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to SECU Hospice Care Center of Yadkin by Mtn. Valley Hospice, 243 N. Lee Avenue, Yadkinville, NC 27055. Miller Funeral service is in charge of the arrangements.  

           Pallbearers will be Brandon McNeill, David Shannon Church, Zachary Adam Church, Mack Johnson, Edward Johnson and Ray Handy.

 Mary Foster, 89

Mrs. Mary Ruth Call Foster, age 89 of North Wilkesboro, died Saturday, April 6, 2019 at her home.

           Funeral services were April 9,  at Fishing Creek Arbor Baptist Church with Rev. David Wellborn officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.

           Mrs. Foster was born June 28, 1929 in Wilkes County to Barney and Minnie Eller Benton Call.  She worked at Ithaca and was  a great mother and grandmother.

           She was preceded in death by per parents; a son-in-law, Butch Williams; one sister, Nora "Jypies" Benton Shew; two brothers, Harden Benton and Sylvester "Pate" Benton; and two grandsons, Danny Alan Williams and Coach Barry Lee Williams.

           She is survived by two daughters, Peggy Ann Porter and husband, Albert, and Patsy Call Williams, both of North Wilkesboro; one grandson, Terry Porter; and two great-grandchildren, Cody Lynn Porter and Dillan Theodore Porter; one sister, Sallie Benton Shew of North Wilkesboro.

           Flowers will be accepted or memorials made to Fishing Creek Arbor Cemetery Fund, 2446 Fishing Creek Arbor Road, Wilkesboro NC 28697.

Bertha Triplett, 84

Bertha Blevins Triplett, age 84, of Hays, passed away Saturday, April 6, 2019 at Rose Glen Manor. She was born November 12, 1934 in Wilkes County to Elmore and Epsie Wood Blevins. Ms. Triplett was a member of Rachel Baptist Church. She was retired from Tyson Foods.  She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Gary Wayne Triplett; daughter, April Dawn Hensley; grandchild, Little Joe Spears; brothers, A.C. Blevins, Aldean Blevins; sisters, Beulah Perry and Mildred Jean Burchette.

           Surviving are her children, James "Moonpie" Viles of Sanford, Ricky Viles and spouse Carolyn of McGrady, Mary Triplett, Jana Lee Triplett, Alton Ray "Dinker" Hensley all of Hays; sister, Rosa Lee Rhoades of North Wilkesboro; brothers, James Blevins and spouse Diane of Rex, Georgia, Ralph Blevins and spouse Mary, Marcus Blevins and spouse Emma all of Hays; nine grandchildren; and sixteen great grandchildren.

           Memorial service was April 9,  at Mtn. Valley Baptist Church in McGrady with Rev. Ronnie McManus and Rev. Travis Brown officiating.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimers Association, 4600 Park  Road #250, Charlotte, NC 28209. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  

  Edmond Welborn, 79

Mr. Edmond Ray "Wendy" Welborn, age 79 of Wilkesboro, died Friday, April 5, 2019 at SECU Hospice Care Center of Yadkin.

           Funeral services were April 9,   at Edgewood Baptist Church with Rev. Eddie Tharpe and Rev. Sherrill Wellborn officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. .

           Mr. Welborn was born January 23, 1940 in Wilkes County to Ed and Nell Church Welborn.  He was a member of Lewis Fork Baptist Church.  

           He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Christine Cooper; and one brother, Glenn Welborn.  

           He is survived by his wife, Brenda Anderson Welborn, of the home; one daughter, Kimberly Hayes and husband, Ken, of Wilkesboro; four sons, Josh Welborn of Wilkesboro, Junior Welborn and wife, Annette, of Purlear, Mickey Welborn and wife, Sharon, of McGrady, and Mike Welborn and wife, Delores, of Moravian Falls; nine grandchildren; and one brother, Bryant Welborn and wife, JoAnn, of Purlear; and a special nephew, Thad Anderson.

           Flowers will be accepted or memorials made to SECU Hospice Care Center of Yadkin, 243 North Lee Street, Yadkinville NC 27055.

           The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff of SECU Hospice Care Center of Yadkin in Yadkinville.

Monty Burke, 36

Mr. Monty Reginald Burke, 36, of Millers Creek, passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2019.

           Monty was born on June 1, 1982 in Wilkes County to Clinton Esaue Burke and Yvonne Dunavant Burke

           Monty is survived by his parents; son, Jason Burke of Millers Creek; brother, Bradley Burke and wife, Joanna; and nephews, Dakota and Sean Burke, all of Millers Creek.  

           The family will conduct a graveside memorial service on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at 2 p.m. in the Burke Family Cemetery on Mertie Road in Millers Creek.  

           In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes, P.O. Box 396, Moravian Falls, NC 28654 to help with final expenses.  Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes has the honor of serving the Burke Family.

 Norma Moore, 62

Norma Jean Anderson Moore, age 62, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at Catawba Valley Medical Center. She was born June 23, 1956 in Wilkes County to Arthur and Della Mae Brown Anderson. Mrs. Moore was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Phyllis Diane Bowers.

           Surviving are her husband, Tommy Ray Moore; daughter, Angela "Squeaky" Cockerham and husband Jamie of North Wilkesboro; grandchildren, Zachery Minton, Cody Minton; brothers, Wayne "Lard" Anderson and wife Nancy, Carl Anderson and wife Barbara all of Wilkesboro; two nephews; and one niece.

           Funeral service was April 6,   at Miller Funeral Chapel with Rev. Charles Younce officiating. Burial followed in Scenic Memorial Gardens.  Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  

 Maggie Church, 82

Mrs. Maggie Edith Jennings Church, age 82 of North Wilkesboro, passed away Thursday, April 4, 2019 at Wilkes Senior Village.

           Funeral services were April 7,  at Cricket Baptist Church with Rev. Greg Hall and Rev. James Wingler officiating. Burial was in Hilltop Baptist Church cemetery.

           Mrs. Church was born July 14, 1936 in Wilkes County to Ernest Jennings and wife Maggie Ann Hutchinson Jennings. She was retired from Holly Farms/Tyson Foods.  Mrs. Church was a member of Cricket Baptist Church.      

           In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four sisters; Carol Poteat, Doris Lavitich, Dorothy Fitzgerald and Evelyn Jennings and four brothers; Roy Jennings, Claude Jennings, Tommy Hutchinson, Lee Hutchinson and Jim Hutchinson.

           She is survived by her husband, Billy George Church of North Wilkesboro; a daughter, Tammy Bowlin and husband, Randy, of Millers Creek; three sons, Ricky Eller and wife, Teresa, of North Wilkesboro, Steve Eller and wife, Junie, of North Wilkesboro and Billy Church of North Wilkesboro; eight grandchildren, Casey Minton, Nevin Johnson, Kati Petrey, Lathan Church, Colton Church, Sherri Cothren, Shana Johnson, Clayton Mathis; eight great grandchildren, Beckam Minton, Barrett Minton, Erin Cothren, Paulina Johnson, Michael Johnson, Adam Mathis, Ansleigh Mathis and Jacey Cothren; one great- great grandchild, Braylen Bell; and a brother, Jay Jennings of Palm Beach, FL.

           Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Hilltop Baptist Cemetery Fund, 161 Fairplains Road, North Wilkesboro NC 28659.

Ron Russell, 68

Ron "Buster" Russell, age 68, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Wednesday, April 3, 2019. He was born July 26, 1950 in Wilkes County to Jack and Beatrice Broyhill Russell. Mr. Russell was a 30 year self-employed auto mechanic. He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Clyde Russell and Phillip Russell.

           Surviving are his wife, Delta Sheets Russell; brother, Barry Russell and wife Ellen of Boomer; sisters, Mary Johnson and husband Bill of North Wilkesboro, Teresa Russell of Moravian Falls; several nieces and nephews; and his cat Misty.

           A private family service will be held at a later date. The family request no flowers and no food, please. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 9, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or to the Humane Society of Wilkes, PO  Box 306, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.  

 Wade Miller 79

Mr. Wade Jones Miller, age 79 of Millers Creek, passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at Forsyth Medical Center.

           Funeral services were April 6th,  at Millers Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Shannon Critcher officiating. Burial was in Piney Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery.  

           Mr. Miller was born August 6, 1939 in Ashe County to Lee Miller and wife Mira Elizabeth Miller. He retired from Miller Engineering. Mr. Miller was a member of Millers Creek Baptist Church.  

           In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister; Nadine Craven and three brothers; Earl Miller, Vaughn Miller and Dale Miller.

           He is survived by his wife; Iva Deane Bowlin Miller of the home, a daughter; Kim Gambill and husband Tommy of Millers Creek, a son; Neil Miller and wife Nina of Ferguson, three grandchildren; Kyle Gambill, Jenna Miller and Myra Gambill, a sister; Ruth Seagraves of Greensboro and two brothers; Ford Miller of Marion and Ralph Miller of Glendale Springs.

           Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Millers Creek Baptist Church PO Box 559 Millers Creek, NC 28651 or the American Cancer Society PO Box 9 North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Sandra Gilreath, 62

Mrs. Sandra (Sandy) Gentry Gilreath, age 62 of Wilkesboro passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist-Wilkes Medical Center.

           Funeral services were April 7,  at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Pastor Brent Bailey and Bishop George Morgan officiating. Burial was in Scenic Memorial Gardens.  

           Mrs. Gilreath was born March 7, 1957 in Wilkes County to Junior Huey and Betty Evelyn Redmon Hague.  She was a member of Grace Kingdom Life Ministries and a 1975 graduate of Wilkes Central High School.  

           She was preceded in death by her mother and a grandson; William Kenneth Gilreath, Jr.

           She is survived by her husband; William Gilreath of the home, two daughters; Sonya and Tia Gilreath both of Wilkesboro, one son; Kenneth Gilreath of Purlear, father; Junior Huey Hague, three grandchildren; Jayveon Ross, Logan Sharpe, Alena Gilreath, one sister; Deborah Nelson of Moravian Falls, three brothers; Michael Gentry and wife Gail of Mebane, Junior Hague of North Wilkesboro and Thomas Hague of Columbus, OH. and two goats; Zibi and Zoey.

           Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Grace Kingdom Life Ministries, PO Box 124, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 or New Direction Ministries, 1340  Statesville Road, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Linda Gray, 74

Linda Sue Gray, age 74, of Ronda, passed away Monday, April 1, 2019 at Wake Forest Baptist Health-Wilkes Regional. She was born April 8, 1944 in Wilkes County to Denver Woodrow Johnson, Sr. and Ola Blanche Hamby Johnson. Mrs. Gray was a member of Wilkes Faith Church. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William Glenn "Joe" Gray; sister, Viola Watson; and brothers, Denver Woodrow Johnson, Jr. and Danny Lee Johnson.

           Surviving are her daughter, Sheila Stanley of Ronda; son, Jody Gray of Peoria, Arizona; and grandson, Denver Seth Gray of Peoria, Arizona.

           Funeral service was April 6,  at Wilkes Faith Church in Ronda with Pastor Bobby Jenkins, Jr. and Rev. Johnny Arnold officiating. Burial  followed in Wilkes Faith Church Cemetery.  Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852 . Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

 Paul  Shore, Jr, 77

Mr. Paul Nathan Shore, Jr., better known as "Junior", age 77 of Hamptonville, went home to be with the Lord Monday, April 1, 2019 at Iredell Memorial Hospital.

           Funeral services were Saturday at Union Baptist Church in Hamptonville with Rev. Kenny Pardue officiating.  

           Mr. Shore was born October 24, 1941 in Wilkes County to Paul Nathan Shore, Sr. and wife Louise Gregory Shore. He was retired from the textile industry and farming. Mr. Shore was a member of Union Baptist Church in Hamptonville.

           He was preceded in death by his parents.

           Mr. Shore is survived by his wife of almost fifty six years; Brenda Chambers Shore, three children; Kamela Shore Greene and husband Chris of Ronda, Derrick Shore and wife Karen of North Wilkesboro and Chad Shore and wife Liz of Hamptonville, eight grandchildren; Kaleb Hemric and wife Carrie, Logan Hemric and wife Brittany, Lariat Hemric and wife Celyna, Danielle Shore, Kandis Shore, Bryson Shore, Brady Shore and Brylee Shore, two great grandchildren; Weston Hemric and Mila Hemric, a brother; Larry Shore and wife Debbie of Hamptonville, two nephews; Brandon Shore and wife Erica and Justin Shore and wife Lindsey, great nephew; Mason Shore and great niece; Aubree Shore.

   Bonnie  Jones, 84

Mrs. Bonnie Rae Jones, 84, of North Wilkesboro, passed away on Monday, March 25, 2019.

           Bonnie was born on October 20, 1934 in Sullivan Tennessee to Oscar Kenneth Jones and Cora Jones.

           Bonnie is preceded in death by her parents; son, Douglas Pratt, one brother, and four sisters.  

           Bonnie is survived by daughters, Donna Pratt of North Wilkesboro, Joyce Shew ( Jimmy) of Wilkesboro; son, Jerry Pratt of Wilkesboro; sister, Mavis Forbes (Jack) of Kingsport TN; brothers, Larry Jones (Rosa) of Michigan, Johnny Jones (Karen); 9 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.  

           The family will conduct a private memorial service at a later date.

           Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes has the honor of serving the Jones Family

  Pansy Wagoner, 78

Mrs. Pansy Rhoades Wagoner, age 78 of North Wilkesboro passed away Monday, April 1, 2019 at Rose Glen Manor.

Funeral services were  April 6,   at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Rev. Mark Wood officiating.  Burial was in Mountlawn Memorial Park.  

Mrs. Wagoner was born April 13, 1940 in Wilkes County to Fred Hoy and Lillie Shumate Rhoades.  She attended Dehart Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband; Clyde Ransom Wagoner, grandchild; Christopher Laws and sister: Kathleen Rash.

She is survived by two daughters; Sharon Lytton and husband David of Wilkesboro and Linda Laws of Hays and one son; Michael Wagoner and wife Sandra of North Wilkesboro, grandchildren; John Adams and wife Kristin, DeShea Jones and husband Matthew, Jamie Wagoner, Kara Cahill and husband Justin, Amanda Brock and husband Nick, Dustie Blankenship and husband Jerry, great grandchildren; Joleigh Jones, Henry Jones, Liam Adams, Madeline Adams, Rosie Blankenship, Dominic Blankenship, Jasmine Blankenship, Montoya Laws, Chris Laws, Zachary Absher, Benjamin Absher, Jaxson Cahill, Paisleigh Cahill,   Calvin Brock and one great great grandchild; Liam Blankenship and a sister; Louise Byrd of North Wilkesboro.

Flowers will be accepted or maybe made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mt.  Airy, NC 27030.

 Alice Lambert 73

Alice Sue Lambert, age 73, of Roaring River, passed away Sunday, March 31, 2019 at her home. Alice was born October 31, 1945 in Ashe County to Oscar and Frances Royal Bare. She loved to garden and care for others. Mrs. Lambert worked for Ithaca for over 30 years. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Tommy Eugene Lambert; and five siblings.

Surviving are her children, Billy Farmer of North Wilkesboro, Sandra Phillips and spouse Rodney of McGrady, Debra Blackburn and husband Keith, Joey Farmer, April Roten and spouse Scott all of Roaring River; siblings, Bronc Bare of Laurel Springs, Fannie Blanton of Ferguson, Wilma Caldwell of Lenoir, Alonzo Bare of North Wilkesboro, Carolyn Medley of Sparta, Jerry Bare of Wilkesboro; thirteen grandchildren; and a number of great grandchildren.

Funeral service was April 4, 2019 at Miller Funeral Chapel with Rev. Mark Hall officiating. Burial followed in Scenic Memorial Gardens.  Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Miller Funeral Service to assist with funeral expenses. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Pallbearers were Johnny Bare, Jeremy Osborne, Scott Roten, Keith Blackburn, Seth Johnson and Rodney Phillips.

 Johnny Wiles, 75

Johnny Roger Wiles, age 75, of Hays, passed away March 30, 2019 at Woltz Hospice Home. He was born August 30, 1943 in Wilkes County to Elbert and Ruby Pruitt Wiles.

Mr. Wiles was the successful owner and operator of Quality Fence Company.  

He was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Margaret Wiles.

Surviving his children, daughter, Cortney Wiles of Maiden, N.C., son, Preston Wiles of Hays, daughter, Tommie Wiles of North Wilkesboro, daughter, Tish Baker and spouse Lonnie of Tyler, Texas, daughter, Dana Wiles of Atlanta, Georgia; grandchildren, Carson Gambill, Laken Baker, Aiden Baker; sisters, Helen Blackburn, Pauline Caudill, Tathel Faircloth and spouse Stanley, Carolyn Osborne, Shirley Wiles; and brothers, Jack Wiles, Danny Wiles and spouse Vanessa.

Funeral service was April 3,  at New Covenant Baptist Church with Pastor Rick Johnson officiating. Burial   followed in the church cemetery.   Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

  Sherman  Clonch, 79

Mr. Sherman Clifton Clonch, 79, of North Wilkesboro, passed away on Wednesday, February 27, 2019.

Sherman was born on June 25, 1939 in Wilkes County to the Late Henry Edgar Clonch and Mollie Varina Gryder Clonch.

Sherman is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Peggy Reinhardt Clonch; daughter, Shirlene Goforth; brother, John Clonch; two grandchildren, Kayla Sheree Clonch and Brian Shawn Clonch.  

Sherman is survived by his daughter, Leslie Utt and husband, Steve, of Mt. Airy; sons, David Clonch, Dennis Clonch, both of North Wilkesboro, Eric Clonch and wife, Melissa, of Mills River; step-son, Scott Shore of Ocean Isle Beach; 10 grandchildren, 10 great- grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

A memorial service was April 7,    at Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes Chapel, 2109  Moravian Falls Road, Moravian Falls.

Rev. Ronnie McMillan  officiated.

Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes has the honor of serving the Clonch Family.

  Rev. Jay Johnson,   72

Rev. Jay Johnson, age 72 of Millers Creek, passed away Saturday, March 30, 2019 at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston Salem.

 Funeral services were April 2,   at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Millers Creek with Rev. Keith Lyon and Rev. Lawson Horton officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.  

Rev. Johnson was born July 13, 1946 in Wilkes County to Albert and Lula Gaynell Staley Johnson. He was retired from Key City Furniture. Rev. Johnson was a Baptist Minister.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister; Jo Ann Harris and a brother; Grady Johnson.  

Rev. Johnson is survived by his wife; Joyce McGee Johnson of the home, a daughter; Lisa Johnson Wagoner and husband Stacey of Purlear, a grandson; Travis Dale, two sisters; Betty Jane Burgess and Carolyn Moore and husband R.L. both of Millers Creek, a brother; William Pinkney Johnson "Sonny" and wife Gaynell of Hays and several nieces and nephews.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church PO Box 528 Millers Creek, NC 28651.

  Marie Anglin, 93

Marie Coffer Anglin, age 93 of North Wilkesboro passed into the loving arms of our Lord on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at her home. She was the last surviving child of Gaston and Martha Holt Coffer.

She is survived by daughters Deeda Pearson of Moravian Falls, Debbie Burchette (husband Sherrill) of Elkin; sons Ronnie Anglin (wife Glenda), Steve Anglin, and Alan Anglin (wife Sherry) all of North Wilkesboro.  Her grandchildren Marlene Kilby, Wayne Pearson, Jenny Hiatt, Ronald Anglin, Jr, Scott Anglin, Richard Teague, Timmy Teague, Kim McGuire, and Ashley Anglin. She is also survived by great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Marie retired from the textile industry at age 77 after having last worked at Buster Brown until the plant closed.

She was a faithful member of Hinshaw Street Baptist Church. She taught Sunday School in the children's department at Liberty Grove Baptist Church for many years.

Funeral services wereApril 3, at Hinshaw Street Baptist Church   with Rev. Jeff Collins officiating.   Entombment followed at Mountlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum with Rev. Justin Johnson officiating.  

Special thanks to Medi-Home Health and Hospice and to Marie's physician, Dr. Laura Hubbard, who took such loving care of her through the years.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Hinshaw Street Baptist church, 1105 Hinshaw Street, North Wilkesboro, NC  28659.

[faithfulnews]

A religiously intriguing lawyer joins Trump defense team as a key adversary exits  

The addition of controversial attorney Jay Sekulow to President Donald Trump’s defense team is a wide-open invitation for journalistic personality stories. By all accounts, Sekulow, 61, is among America’s most zealous -- and effective -- religious litigators. He also hosts a daily radio show and has become an omnipresent Trump advocate on other media. 

Early coverage on his appointment left unexplored territory on the religion aspects of the sort noted by The Forward, the venerable liberal Jewish newspaper whose print and online editions reach a broad readership. Then The Washington Post published a June 27 jaw-dropper on Sekulowian finances.

More on money in a moment. If The Forward’s treatment seemed harsh, that’s certainly predictable. Sekulow has been in the middle of many social issues that are considered “conservative” while the paper has traditionally embraced socialists and liberal Democrats.

Moreover, Sekulow was raised in Reform Judaism, but became a “Messianic Jew” (that is, an evangelical Protestant of Jewish ethnicity) during college years at Mercer University, where he later earned his law degree. After work as a trial attorney for the IRS and a business lawyer in Atlanta, in 1990 he became chief counsel for the new American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), founded by the Rev. Pat Robertson.  

Like Trump’s top lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, Sekulow is no expert in the Washington, D.C., quicksand the President finds himself in. But he’s battle-hardened, having argued 12 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court in his religion specialization. Early on, Sekulow grasped that federal judges are less than ardent supporters of religious freedom claims and switched to a civil liberties strategy exploiting other Bill of Rights guarantees, winning for instance a 1987 Supreme Court OK for airport pamphlet distribution by Jews for Jesus.

The Forward rehashes bankruptcy and other disputes from Sekulow’s early career and AP and USA Today coverage of his finances, now thoroughly updated by the Post. Highlights from the latter: In 2011 through 2015, Sekulow and his family members earned $5.5 million from two interrelated non-profits, ACLJ and Christian Advocates Serving Evangelism (CASE), which in turn sent $23 million in media and other business to two firms owned or co-owned by Sekulows, plus $16 million in legal outsourcing to the Constitutional Litigation and Advocacy Group co-owned by Jay Sekulow.

While the Sekulows declined comment, Robertson told the Post such cash flows are considered “reasonable.” Watchdogs disagree. A fat story would compare ACLJ and CASE finances with the othermajor  players in religious liberty litigation. A second story theme is Sekulow’s shift beyond strict religious rights. For instance, ACLJ has sued to get Justice records about Attorney General Loretta Lynch’s ill-fated tarmac chat with former President Clinton.

Lots here to unpack.

Meanwhile, reporters should be aware of the December retirement of another perennially quotable source on this turf, Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

Lynn is both a clergyman (United Church of Christ) and attorney (Georgetown Law). He was a former D.C. lobbyist for his UCC and then the American Civil Liberties Union, and at Americans United expanded from strict  separationist demands into sweeping opposition to all forms of conservatism in religion and politics.

His cultural status is reflected in the honorary committee for a November 2 retirement bash, including: former New York Times Supreme Court correspondent Linda Greenhouse; Congressman Joseph Kennedy III; Senator Al Franken and  fellow comic Sarah Silverman; Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards; Morris Dees of the Southern Poverty Law Center; and General Secretary Jim Winkler of the National Council of Churches. Did we leave anyone out?

In a soft Religion News Service Q&A that left much for other journalists to pursue, Lynn says of longtime adversary Sekulow, “I consider him a friend.” They do, at least, agree on opposing the death penalty.

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