On Saturday December 9, 2023, Zoe Life Ministries VA, in partnership with Gethsemane Baptist Church, Suffolk VA, honored three members of the Savage Crossing Community for the First Annual Community Appreciation Service. These three individuals have shown that they are concerned for the community and the well-being of the community. Mr. & Mrs. Marion and Bettye Walton and Mrs. Carrie Wiggins-Faulk have shown by their actions how much they love the community that they live in.
Not only are Mr. and Mrs. Walton active in the Jackson Road community they serve as a Deacon and a Deaconess at Laurel Hill United Church of Christ, Marion and Bettye believe the word of God in Genesis which says God commanded man to care for the earth and use its resources for good and God’s glory. They believe that Satan has led mankind into destroying the earth and using the resources selfishly for evil and simply not caring.
In 2016 Marion and Bettye retired from the Smithville Packing Company and they vowed to themselves that they will walk each day on Jackson Road, where they are residents. The walks started out as routine walking for exercise, enjoying the fresh air in the early morning sunshine and taking in the vitamin D, but gradually turned into doing something constructive as they walked down the road, they started picking up the litter. They became known as “THE PEOPLE IN THE RED SHIRTS”. The name was given to them by a four-year-old boy on Copeland Road who would say when he saw them coming, “Grandma here comes the people with the red shirts.”
The residents of Jackson Road and the other surrounding communities have noticed what they had been doing on Jackson Road. They were given recognition on the Nextdoor App about their Red Shirts and what they were doing on Jackson Road. Daniel McDonald, Suffolk Coordinator for Litter Control, told them, that they were Suffolk famous and that Jackson Road is one of the cleanest roads in Suffolk.
The Waltons wanted Jackson Road to be a great scenic view for people when they are driving down Jackson Road. They hoped that what othe
rs saw them doing would somehow trickle down to everyone traveling through and will cause them to want to take pride and take action in their own communities. They say “If you see something, say something, do something”
The other Honoree was Mrs. Carrie Wiggins-Faulk, RN, MSN, FNP, C she is well known and respected in the Medical Field. She is also an active member of Mount Sinai Baptist Church, where the Pastor is Rev. Dr. William Lang.
Carrie the oldest of six children whose parents emphasize the importance of being alert to prevent mishaps. She became a nurse because she wanted to help prevent problems before they occur. As she worked as a primary care practitioner, the realization became apparent to her that we needed more education about good health practices.
She says “We cannot practice what we do not know”, She then decided to ask permission to teach in churches and anywhere else people wanted to learn about disease prevention and health maintenance. She appreciates every opportunity she can get to teach
share information so we can live the BEST LIFE POSSIBLE!!!
You can speak to Carrie about anything health issue you have (at no charge) and she will not hesitate to offer any advice that may help you with a medical issue and help you know what to say to your health provider about your issues. She has a very kind spirit with a great concern for people. She may not be a member of your church, but if you need her, she will make herself available to help in any way she can.
Carrie says “Remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.
Zoe Life Ministries VA will continue quarterly community projects that will be posted on our website at Zoe Life Ministries VA.com. If there is a desire to assist in our community efforts any contribution will be welcome. You can give on our website using Givelify button or Cash App at $ZoeLifeMinistriesVA or using the Phone apps for Givelify or Cash App. Zoe Life Ministries VA is a Non-Profit 501(c)(3) organization in Virginia.
Zoe Life Ministries VA and Gethsemane Baptist Church was honored to recognize these outstanding members of the community. Once
again, we say thanks to all of you for all that you do to help better our communities.
Written Rev. Teresa D. Simmons