Two great inspirations

A few months ago, I went to my former church, Fremont United Methodist, to cover their ceremony honoring the 50th Eagle Scout to come through the Fremont Boy Scout Troop. I usually go to Sunday School on Sunday mornings, and decided to come early and go my old Sunday School class, the Methodist Open Discussion (MOD) Class.
While it was great seeing and talking with some old friends, in the fifteen or so years since we moved away from the area, there were a number of new faces. One of those new faces belonged to a lady who was asking for prayer as she began a challenge in her life.
That face belonged to Joy Vinson. I recognized her from the years she has been at Fremont STARS, though I couldn’t claim to actually know her.
The last month or so we have been regularly contacted by Fremont STARS about different Relay for Life activities and fundraisers they have been involved with. The team’s very successful efforts this spring have seemingly picked up some extra steam in their support for Mrs. Vinson. The team’s organizer this year said she has been inspired by Joy’s courage in her fight against breast cancer, and they dedicated their efforts in her honor.
Five or six years ago, I was volunteering in prison ministry, working with the state prison in Pender County. Most of the volunteers we were working with were from the Wilmington area. A year or so in, there was a fellow from Goldsboro who began supporting the ministry.
Most of our activities were on Saturdays. We had several hours of training on Saturdays, and would go in for what we called reunions with those who had participated on the inside on Saturday nights. During many of the trips back and forth, I would car pool with this man from Goldsboro.
I came to know, during that time, a very fine gentleman named Dr. Lee Adams. He is one of the most caring people I have known, and he has been a true inspiration to me.
In his work with Boy Scouts over the years, his professional contacts, his work with the Goldsboro Family Y, and his work with his church, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Lee Adams has touched a lot of lives. Some of them I have known, and whenever Dr. Adams’ name is mentioned, faces light up. Many feel as I do about Lee.
Did I mention that he is well beyond the age when many give up work? His energy and enthusiasm deny his 70+ years. Mondays through Fridays you usually find him at his optometry office on Wayne Memorial Drive in Goldsboro.
Our prison ministry is focused around a fall weekend and a spring weekend. Lee was always very active and focused on the fall weekend, and a dedicated monthly volunteer for most of the time, but I was puzzled when spring rolled around and he said he didn’t have the time to volunteer.
I found out there was another great love in his life. He was one of the main movers and shakers for the Wayne County Relay for Life. (The humble man would often talk about fine people who served as his co-chair for the event, but year after year Lee was helping organize and get this thing done.) It wasn’t long after that that I purchased a purple bow for our Fremont office door, in support of the effort.
Under all of the caring and compassion of this fine man, there was some friendly competitive fire. He spoke with passion about all of the ways in which the people of Wayne County were coming together to support this great cause. He also spoke with some pride about how they would rally to beat out Johnston County in the amount raised, and other areas of the state.
We congratulate Relay for Life for another great event this past weekend. Also, two great warriors in the fight against cancer: Joy Vinson and Dr. Lee Adams.