Cleveland County has historically paid tribute to outstanding civic leaders by naming public spaces, infrastructure, and institutions after them, installing commemorative monuments or plaques, or establishing named scholarships or annual awards. It is impossible to list all here, but these are a few of the annual awards programs that have been established over the years.
Citizen of the Year Award
The Citizen of the Year Award program was established in 1936 by the Shelby Lions Club. Later the Lawndale and Kings Mountain Lions Club participated as well. The process began with an invitation for the public to nominate a person based on:
- contribution to community welfare during the year
- participation in all-around community activities
- evidence of lasting contribution to community activities
- exhibition of leadership ability
- evidence of personal or business progress
- cooperation with individuals and civic organizations
The Citizen of the Year roster is incomplete, but these are some of the early recipients:
| The 1930s | |
| 1936 – Clyde Roark Hoey 1937 – Harry Woodson 1938 – Lee B. Weathers 1939 – Ray E. Brown | |
| The 1940s | The 1950s |
| 1940 – O. M. Mull 1941 – Sherrill Lineberger 1942 – Dr. T. B. Mitchell 1943 – O. Max Gardner 1944 – Holt McPherson 1945 – J. R. Dover, Jr. 1946 – Jim LeGette 1947 – Paul Kennedy 1948 – J. Lowery Austell 1949 – Dr. J. S. Dorton | 1950 – Rev. J. D. Sheppard 1951 – Kays Gary 1952 – Cecil L. Gilliatt 1953 – Dr. Hubert S. Plaster 1954 – Edwin C. Ford 1955 – Worth W. Morris 1956 – Robert S. Gidney 1957 – Mal A. Spangler 1958 – Shem Blackley 1959 – Harold Love |
| The 1960s | The 1970s |
| 1960 – Lloyd Bost 1961 – Horace Eason 1962 – John Burn 1963 – R. Patrick Spangler 1964 – J. L. Suttle, Jr. 1965 – Malcolm E. Brown 1966 – Dr. Avery W. McMurry 1967 – Hoyt Q. Bailey 1968 – C. Rush Hamrick, Jr. 1969 – Earl W. Spangler | 1970 – Carlos L. Young 1971 – H. Eugene LeGrand 1972 – James B. Taylor 1973 – John Ed Davis, Jr. 1974 – Richard Ferchaud 1975 – Keith Hawkins |
| The 1980s | The 1990s |
| 1980 – William E. Campbell 1983 – Tony Izzi, Jr. | 1994 – Jim Crawley 1998 – Jim Allen |
Spirit of Freedom Award Winners
The Spirit of Freedom Award, sponsored by The Star, honors people who cherish freedom, believe in sharing, look for independent ways to solve problems, learn new things and try to do what is right, both personally and professionally.
- 1998 — Robin Hendrick, who inspired the $7 million campaign for the Dover Foundation YMCA.
- 1999 — HOPE founder and North Shelby School parent Rhonda Cooper, who organized efforts to get a special playground for children with severe disabilities
- 2000 — Literacy advocate and teacher George Hatch
- 2001 — Jessica Putnam, Crest High School student who honors her teacher grandmother’s memory with unique fundraising and awards for scholars and teachers
- 2002 — Eddie Holbrook and Jim Horn, for melding leaders and volunteers from many sports and all walks of life into a cohesive team, drawing a highly successful American Legion baseball tournament to the county
- 2003 — Cleveland Regional Medical Center CEO John Young, “Close the Gap” leader Larry Corry and Dr. Frank Campbell, interim president of Gardner-Webb University, honored as champions of cooperation and collaboration
- 2004 — Surgeon Dr. Michael Barringer, whose sacrifice, caring and skill have saved hundreds of children in Haiti and in Cleveland County
- 2005 — Marta Holden, founder of CommUnity and champion of young people who need good role models
- 2006 — 505th National Guard Engineering Battalion members, who served more than a year in Iraq
- 2007 — Dr. John Boggs, a unifying, roll-up-his-sleeves pastor who moves people to action in their communities
- 2008 — Bob and Mae Hunt, a couple who gives of their time to help anyone in need
- 2009 — Honored were 25 people who make a difference for children: The Shelby Junior Charity League, Guardians ad Litem of District 27-B, Lendra Phillips, Charles and Betty Carrigan, Dr. Vera Rivens, Jasmine Caldwell, Jim Putnam, Sonya Russ Nalley, Jeanne Patterson, Marlene Archie, Ed Marler, Margie Christopher, Austin Phelps, Master Sgt. Mike Jones, Sgt. Lisa Proctor, Jeff Melton, Karla Haynes, Briana Causby, Tammy Arrowood, Mildred Keeter-Davis, T. O. Curry, Jack Weller, Rosaline Hunt, Pete Carpenter and Bill McCullough
- 2010 — Michael Gullatte, who has dedicated his life to helping the homeless
- 2011 — Philanthropists Doug Sharp and Bill Horn, who helped harvest tens of thousands of potatoes for the hungry
- 2012 — Dr. Collette Deviney, through the annual event “Connect, Commit to Change,” she has brought hundreds of people together to serve children and families in Cleveland County.
Paul Harris Fellows
Rotary International was founded on February 23, 1905 in Chicago by attorney Paul P. Harris, who envisioned a professional club for exchanging ideas and fostering fellowship. Originally called “Rotary” because members rotated meetings among their offices, it grew into a global humanitarian network.
In Cleveland County, there are three Rotary Clubs in Rotary District 7680–Boiling Springs Area Rotary Club, Kings Mountain Rotary Club and Rotary Club of Shelby. Each club has numerous members who have been named Paul Harris Fellows, one of the most prestigious and highly respected honors in Rotary International. It recognizes individuals who have contributed–or had contributions made in their name–of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation, or those who demonstrate exemplary “Service Above Self.” Listed below are the known Paul Harris Fellows from Cleveland County. (Please contact us if you know of Paul Harris Fellows not listed.)
| Paul Harris Fellows Boiling Springs Area Rotary Club Dr. Sue Champion Camp William K. “Bill” Elliott Clifford E. “Bud” Hamrick, Jr. Jim Johnson William “Bill” H. Masters William J. “Billy” Williams Kings Mountain Rotary Club Dr. Jerry Eskridge Larry D. Hamrick Wendy Isbell Brenda Page Dr. George Plonk Josh Shelton Jerry Simmons Russia Elizabeth “Lib” Stewart The Rotary Club of Shelby Debra Blanton Cecil M. Burton Michael Chen Sallie Craig Dr. Jonathan Davis Paul S. Ellison Joseph R. Hendrick, Sr. Richard Hooker Ruth Huffstetler Sandra McSwain James Mac Lancaster William “Bill” LeGrand Tripp Mabry Patti McMurry Shearra Miller Mark Patterson Charles W. Rhoden, Jr. James “Speed” Williams |
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Recipients
The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is among the most prestigious awards presented by the Governor of North Carolina. It is the state’s highest civilian honor and is presented to individuals who have a proven record of extraordinary service to the state. Some of the guidelines by which the recipients are selected include: contributions to their communities, excellence in their careers, and many years of service to their organizations. Several people from Cleveland County have been selected for this great honor.
| Mary Accor Ted Alexander James Platt Allen John A. Auten Dr. John Terrell Barker Jo Powell Boggs Dr. Douglas Boyette David Blando Clary Dr. Bobbi Cox Adelaide Austell Craver William Donald Crawford Paul S. Ellison Dr. Stephen Fisher Victor Haynes Eddie Holbrook Dr. Samuel Houston Ricky Lee Humphries Dr. John Jackson and Ruby Crowder Hunt Dr. John Karriker Dr. George Litton Brownie Plaster Rev. Sam Raper Charles W. Rhoden, Jr. Les Roark Earl Scruggs J. T. Scruggs Russia Elizabeth “Lib” Stewart Dr. James Ray Thomas Dr. Gene Yarboro |
Cleveland County History 