By Sandra Link Freeze
For the Salisbury Post
When the scholarships honoring my late brother, James Brent Link, are awarded every year at Bethel Lutheran Church in Salisbury, it has always been a special occasion for me.
Every year, I look at the stained-glass windows and remember how my brother pointed out to me the three hidden crosses within the glass.
Every year, I remember how he would go to church most Sundays, even when ill with the cancer that eventually took his life. Every year, I remember Brent participating in church, whether he was the crucifer or played the cello.
Every year, I remember his Sunday conversations without grandfather about the day’s sermon.
Every year, I remember how wonderful it really was to have a brother.
All these memories resurfaced on June 10 as we honored the latest scholarship recipients: Shaina Marie Freeze (daughter of Ricky and Sandra Link Freeze), a 2007 graduate of Carson High who’ll attend Rowan-Cabarrus Community College this fall; Lisa Shuping Mays (daughter of Mitzi Ross and granddaughter of Edna and the late Harold Shuping), who graduated from Pfeiffer University in 1991 and is completing her master’s degree through the University of Phoenix; Kimberly Bullock Faris (daughter of Joseph and Crystal Z. Bullock, and wife of Justin Faris), who graduated from UNC-Greensboro in 2005 and is pursuing a degree in vascular sonography through RCCC.
James Brent Link was a 1976 graduate of Salisbury High, a 1980 graduate of UNC-Charlotte and an active member of Bethel Lutheran Church. While in high school, Brent, Graham Carlton and Sandy Hoffman cut an album and performed at many social events locally. He thoroughly enjoyed the band and orchestra throughout his high-school years. One year after college graduation, Brent was diagnosed with cancer. On Aug. 2, 1983, the disease took his life.
In 1985, the Brent Link Scholarship was established by our mother, Laura Ann Shuping Link Hincemon. In 1996, Frances Glover, an active member of Bethel, was added by his widow, Elizabeth Glover. In 2006, the late Charles McCombs, former pastor of Bethel, was included by his daughter and son-in-law, Noran and Alan Winchester. The scholarship is now known as the Link/-Glover/McCombs Scholarship.
What a fitting way to honor three wonderful people from Bethel Lutheran Church with a scholarship fund in their memories. Three wonderful people who touched so many lives in so many different ways. Three wonderful people who are dearly missed.
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Sandra Freeze lives in Salisbury.