By Mark Wineka
mwineka@salisburypost.com
Mike McDuffie would have said, “Why all the fuss?”
It would have been McDuffie raising money and working alongside his church buddies on weekends to build this house at 830 Carpenter Circle.
It would have been McDuffie laughing on the porch with Jack and Melinda Wilson as they pinched themselves and realized this new four-bedroom, two bathroom house was really theirs.
It would have been McDuffie wearing that look of satisfaction on his face, thankful for the friends he had at First Presbyterian Church and Desco Inc.
Those many friends who dedicated the “Mike McDuffie Memorial House” Saturday afternoon in Salisbury couldn’t help but think McDuffie was watching and asking again, “Why all the fuss?”
Dr. Jim C. Dunkin, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, said this new house is a visible sign of an invisible grace that McDuffie demonstrated in touching people’s lives before he lost his own fight with cancer in January.
The house ó a partnership of First Presbyterian, Habitat for Humanity of Rowan County and the Wilsons ó is a symbol of a disciple who loved the Lord and often had served him through his work in other Habitat projects, Dunkin said.
Saturday’s dedication celebrated with the Wilson family, who put an incredible 675 hours of their own sweat equity into the project.
“This is about the Wilsons and it’s the Wilsons’ day,” Kathy McDuffie, Mike’s widow, emphasized.
But church friends who built the house also wanted to make it a day to remember Mike McDuffie, known for his church and community involvement.
Looking down from heaven, her husband would be amazed at Saturday’s turnout and that so many people cared, Kathy said.
The Wilsons have three children: Samuel, 10; Rebecca, 7 and Chandler, 5. The family will move into their house later this week. Melinda Jackson, dealing with nerves and choking back emotions most of the day, said her children now have a place to play and grow.
On the project, Melinda personally learned how to saw, hammer, use a drill, glue down floors and even install windows.
The Wilsons pitched in during weekdays and weekends with many volunteers from the church.
Bob Harris served as a ramrod for the project. He put his arms around both Kathy McDuffie and Melinda Wilson as they stood on the front porch Saturday and told the crowd how they had inspired and motivated him.
The spirit of the Lord and Mike McDuffie followed the entire building project, he added.
The First Presbyterian Church steering committee, which organized the project, included Harris, Kathy McDuffie, Dick Crane, Ed and Elizabeth Cook, Dan and Karen DeGraaf, Theresa Kidd, Jackie Powell, Mark Rufty, David Simmons and Jesse Tart.
Kathy McDuffie thanked them and others “for being part of the team and doing it in Mike’s memory.”
She also gave special thanks to Desco Inc., the longtime employer of her husband. The company provided generous financial help and all the house’s electrical work.
Her husband always felt privileged to be part of Desco and the church family, Kathy said.
The McDuffies’ children, Josh and Brittany, attended Saturday’s dedication. Afterwards, the McDuffie family held a barbecue at their home.
“It’s always a great day when we get to this point in any Habitat project,” said Pete Teague, president of Habitat for Humanity of Rowan County. Interestingly, Habitat officials broke ground Saturday morning on a new house right next to the Wilsons’ new home.
Habitat is a Christian ministry not tied to any particular denomination. First Presbyterian Church has been a great supporter of the program through financial contributions and manpower, Teague said.
Coleman Emerson, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Rowan County, presented the Wilson family with a Bible for their new home. It’s the Word of God for a home built by the people of God, Emerson said.
Debra Walker of First Presbyterian Church gave the Wilson family a stained glass she made in McDuffie’s honor, and Karen DeGraaf offered the Wilsons a scrapbook, documenting the project from its groundbreaking to completion.
Jack Wilson works for the city of Salisbury, and Melinda Wilson works part-time for the Salvation Army.
Karen DeGraaf said the Wilsons are a kind, caring and dedicated people.
“This is an awesome family,” she said.