By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY – This Sunday, Mary Helen Smith and her husband, Cyrus Archer Smith, would’ve celebrated 56 years of marriage.
Cyrus died in August, and in his memory, Mary Helen donated $100 to the annual Christmas Happiness Fund.
The annual Fund helps families in Rowan County who are in need buy gifts for their children.
She gave in her husband’s memory “because of all that he did to help other people,” Smith said.
This year is her first year of giving, but her husband gave for many years.
“I hope it helps some children,” she said.
The couple met on a blind date set up by a friend of Mary Helen’s co-worker at Sears.
“Our first date was in June, and we got married in November,” she said.
Cyrus was very caring, loving and considerate of other people, Mary Helen said.
Cyrus worked for Duke Power and had little time for civic organizations but was very active in his church, Mooresville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, she said.
She is originally from Rowan County and Cyrus was from Mooresville. The couple lived in Rowan County for 54 years.
Christmas Happiness is sponsored by the Salisbury Post, which collects contributions. The Rowan County Department of Social Services distributes the funds.
Bring contributions to the Salisbury Post, 131 W. Innes St., between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays or mail them to The Salisbury Post Christmas Happiness Fund, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, NC 28145-4639.
Make checks payable to the Christmas Happiness Fund and indicate how you wish your donations to be listed.Contributions Tuesday:
Denise and Gene Brown $50
Anonymous $400
In memory of Cyrus Archer Smith by Mary Helen Smith $100
Charles Buckley $200
In honor of our teachers by Hannah and Anne Claire $150
In memory of Charles Preston Weant by Mrs. Willie C. Weant and Family $50
In honor of the staff at First Presbyterian Church by Linda Thurston $100
Shirley Hurrell $20
In honor of our teachers: Carl Eagle, Theresa Safrit and the Rev. Don Safrit by Messiah Lutheran Church Sunday School $100
In memory of Donald E. and Timothy J. Sunding by Betty Sunding $200Today’s Total $1,370
Running Total $6,005
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.