- Sallie Jones is the recipient of Cary’s annual Hometown Spirit Award, designed to recognize community-minded citizens who enhance the quality of life in Cary.
- Mayor Weinbrecht announced the 2024 winner of the Hometown Spirit Award at a reception held to celebrate this year’s three finalists.
- Miss Sallie Jones, a 100-year-old resident of Cary, embodies dedication to preserving the town’s African American history.
CARY, N.C. – Sallie Jones is the recipient of Cary’s annual Hometown Spirit Award, designed to recognize community-minded citizens who enhance the quality of life in Cary by preserving, promoting, and carrying out positive small-town community values and traits. Mayor Weinbrecht announced the 2024 winner at a reception to celebrate this year’s three finalists.
Miss Sallie Jones, a 100-year-old resident of Cary, embodies dedication to preserving the Town’s African American history. Descended from some of Cary’s earliest African American families, Jones discovered after she returned home to Cary after her retirement that the graves of her ancestors had been lost to development. Driven by this realization, she made it her mission to protect the cemetery at Cary First Christian Church, which dated back to 1868 but faced neglect and development threats. Jones led efforts to survey the cemetery, hired archaeologists who identified over 160 unmarked graves, and tirelessly researched records to name those buried there. Jones registered the site in the State of North Carolina, making it the first cemetery designated as a historic landmark in Cary and in all of Wake County. Several years ago, Cary First Christian Church partnered with the Town of Cary and the Friends of the Page-Walker to produce a walking tour brochure that recounts the lives and impact of members of the African American Community in Cary. Her commitment over 25 years secured the cemetery’s recognition as Cary’s first historic landmark, ensuring its legacy and highlighting her invaluable contribution to the community’s heritage.
Inspired by a suggestion from Cary citizen Clifton Barnes, the Hometown Spirit Award is designed to recognize community-minded citizens who enhance the quality of life in Cary. In addition, the recipient must exemplify at least one of the following criteria: Helps neighbors and fellow Cary citizens; demonstrates hospitality; promotes and preserves traditional American pastimes; shows a concern for preservation and works to preserve traditions and the small-town atmosphere in the community; promotes a sense of community in their neighborhood and all of Cary; demonstrates patriotism through promotion and preservation of the country’s symbols and dedication to the U.S. military, past and present; and serves the community through business. Cary citizens aged 21 and older were eligible for the award. In addition to Jones, this year’s nominees included Brent Brandow and Dan Pike.
For more information, visit carync.gov/spirit.
Primary Contacts
If you have visit specific questions visit carync.gov/311, dial 311 anywhere in Cary, (919) 469-4000 outside Town limits, or email 311@carync.gov.
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