Freida Eaton Love

Fond memories of the teachers: They went above and beyond their teaching duties.  I often tell my grandchildren about how I appreciate those teachers.  We did our work at school, came home and did homework at the kitchen table for several hours.  No social media distractions! It was with a strong academic background that I was able to graduate from Gardner Webb University later in life with a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services.  This allowed me to work at the Surry County Department of Social Services as a foster care social worker.  I had the opportunity to help children and to license foster homes in Surry County.  I had to document details and write lengthy narratives.  This would have been difficult without a good, solid high school education. (Lee Merritt was our DSS attorney in Juvenile Court!) Also, with the support and encouragement of teachers, I was able to submit my essay on "World Peace" and was chosen to go to New York and Washington D.C. accompanied by Dale Parsons.  This was a very special opportunity for me.  

Fond memories of so many friends and their families:  Walking downtown after school to Wolfe's Drug Store and having a cherry coke, riding around Tastee Freeze and Odell's, football games, Latin club banquets, sleep overs at friends’ houses, trips to a friend’s farm. All are too numerous to mention.  Parents welcomed their children's friends into their homes and treated them like their own.  I miss those good, simple times! Mt. Airy High School was the best!

Don and I were married after my first year at Appalachian State.  He graduated from Pembroke State, and we came back to live in Pilot Mountain.  He accepted a teaching position at Surry Central High School where he later became the head baseball coach.  We have two beautiful daughters and three special granddaughters and a special grandson who have brought us so much joy.  We have resided in Pilot Mountain except for a ten-year period away from the area when we lived in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. During that time, we were owners/operators of a motel.  That was an interesting occupation. We were located next door to P B Scott's which was a music venue in Blowing Rock catering to Appalachian State students. We provided lodging for various musicians, including B B King, Ricky Scaggs, The original Drifters, and many others.  After ten years of hard work, we returned to Pilot

Mountain. (I enjoy reading Jan Karons' series of books based upon the mountain towns). I am retired and enjoy being a part of our Pilot Mountain Red Hat group which includes my high school friends Judi Dowell Armstrong, Mary Lynn Simmons Myers, and Shirlene (Sherry) Haymore.  We recall many fond memories of our high school days!  Living in Mt. Pilot and being near Mayberry has been great. I have been blessed!