1. Elena reports that she sang with her sisters at church [Locust Grove Baptist Church] and on the radio. Later when her older sisters married and moved away, she sang with Betty Clingenpeel Bishop. Elena played the guitar.
1. Memories by Edith (McMinn) Middleton
The Singing SchoolBelieving in God and trusting in Him was never a problem for me. Just living in the mountains and seeing all that God created for us to enjoy, the trees that give us clean air, the flowers and herbs to keep us well, clear springs to drink from and Mother Earth to nurture us make you know there is a higher power and creator.
When Mr. Cunningham taught us about 5 lines and 4 spaces and the 8 notes that are arranged on them, I was so amazed that I could learn to sing all the songs I desired. There was a lot more stuff to it than that of course.
One time I decided to show off a little bit was when he taught the Chromatic scale (I think that's what it was called). You sang Do, Ra, Me, Fa etc. and in between was a 1/2 note i.e.: Do, De, Ra, Re, Me, Fa, Fe, So, Se, La, Le, Te, Do. He asked if anyone could sing it. (I had been practicing it all day) I said , "Sir, would you like it up and down", which I proceeded to do. He was very surprised. I sat down and lowered my eyes, very shy not wanting anyone to know I was real pleased with myself.
1. Vanessa remembers that she wanted to be baptized in the pond on the back side of the mountain like most everyone else had, but instead was baptized at Refuge Church baptistery.
2. She was taught to play the piano, guitar and sing harmony by her Mama.
3. Stella called her "Pebbles".
Marion "Donny" Bourdon RAINEY "Jr"
1. Donny is a graduate of Isle of Wight Academy in Smithfield, Virginia and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
2. He is a field representative for the Air Pollution Control Board in Annandale, Virginia.
1. Tonya is a graduate of Edneyville High School and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
2. She is a probation and parole officer for the Commonwealth of Virginia in Fairfax, Virginia.
3. From the Memories of Tonya McMinn Rainey, she stated, ....."The wonderful people of Locust Grove hold such special places in my heart and memories. I feel very blessed to have grown up in a church filled with a real sense of love and family. After all as Donnie and I joke, the church [Locust Grove Baptist Church] is located on "Kin-to-Me" mountain because almost every house we pass on the way is home to someone who is "kin to me".