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On a picture perfect July 27 Saturday morning, the late Rev. Billy Honeycutt's wife, Terry, their children, John and Beth, grandchildren and friends, gathered to dedicate a swing in loving memory of Honeycutt. The swing is at the corner of 2nd and Cleghorn streets in Rutherfordton, just beyond the Purple Martin Trail.
Those who spoke at the dedication ceremony, said Honeycutt always made them feel special and treated them as family. The swing area was described by speakers as a joyful place, a quiet place and sacred where people can come for respite and peace.
The swing was installed by the Town of Rutherfordton in memory of "Bossman" Billy, the nickname Women Roofers gave him years ago as they worked faithfully side by side, roofing houses and making other housing repairs. The Town honored Honeycutt's spirit of caring for neighbors in need.
The Women Roofers raised money for an additional planter and extra mulch for the adjacent garden.
Honeycutt was the founding chair of Rutherford Housing Partnership (RHP). Since 1995 RHP has provided urgently needed repairs for low-income homeowners in Rutherford County. He led countless volunteers to build ramps and porches and repair roofs for RHP throughout all of Rutherford County.
One speaker said at the dedication ceremony, "next to his family, these are the things he loved (RHP, Women Roofers)."
The swing project was a collaboration with First Baptist Church Rutherfordton which owns property adjacent to the trail and where Honeycutt was a member. The swing sits at the corner of Cleghorn and Second streets on a new sidewalk which connects the Purple Martin Trail to the Fairview community.
John Miller, youth minister at First Baptist, said he and Honeycutt had conversations a few years ago walking in the park area. "We talked about Jesus" Miller said. Later the area became a place for early morning worship services.
"This project showcased how the Town can work with landowners to craft a beautiful community asset and honor the life of someone who gave so much of themselves to provide for others," said Town Manager Doug Barrick. "This project provides a lasting legacy for Billy, his family and our community to hopefully inspire others to live a life dedicated to service to more than just ourselves."
"If you knew Billy, you understand that he would be uncomfortable with this recognition," said his wife Terry. "But he would certainly be grateful that these two institutions he loved - the Town of Rutherfordton and First Baptist Church, Rutherfordton - have collaborated to create a beautiful spot for rest and reflection for the community."
The Honeycutt family offered a big "thank you" to all those who have had a hand in this project, she added.
"Billy lived out his faith by investing in the welfare of this community and by addressing the needs of others. We honor his memory when we continue his example of service for others. Maybe, if you are sitting in the swing sometime, you could spend a few moments thinking of something you could do for someone else."
Rev. Aimee Hobbs, pastor of First Baptist, said the dedication prayer and referred to the swing areas as a place of respite and peace.
Nell Bovender who worked with Honeycutt on hundreds of RHP projects, talked with Rodney Harris of Rutherfordton about Honeycutt's work.
"He still gets a lump in his throat when he remembers watching volunteer women up on the roof of his parents' house on Benton Lane more than 20 years ago," Bovender writes. "The Women Roofers were roofing one of their first projects.
Bovender also recalled the late Tootsie and Charles Harris. They were aging when their son had moved back to town to be able to help them out.
"These people showed they cared for my parents," Harris said. "They made my parents' life brighter at a time when their health was beginning to fail."
Those attending the ceremony were encouraged to bring Little Debbie cakes and bottles of water to donate to RHP to assist with volunteer projects. Honeycutt most often supplied Little Debbie cakes for snacks on work projects.
