Sara Ragan, Dantzlere Currin, speaker Anne Curry, Doris Weathers, vocalist Vanessa McLamb, Kathy Dickens and Debbie McClamrock pose for a photo at the recent Women's Priority meeting. Ragan, Currin, Weathers, Dickens and McClamrock are members of the Priority Associates Core Group.
Sara Ragan, Dantzlere Currin, speaker Anne Curry, Doris Weathers, vocalist Vanessa McLamb, Kathy Dickens and Debbie McClamrock pose for a photo at the recent Women's Priority meeting. Ragan, Currin, Weathers, Dickens and McClamrock are members of the Priority Associates Core Group.
With an overflowing crowd and Valentine’s decoration on each table, Bentwinds Country Club was the scene of a heart wrenching testimony by Anne Curry. Anne, who was introduced by Debbie McClamrock, lives in Angier with her husband, Bill Curry. They have three grown sons, two of whom are married. She also has two granddaughters. Anne has been speaking for Stonecroft Ministries since 2009; she travels extensively to speaking engagements nationally.
Dantzlere Currin introduced Vanessa McLamb, the vocalist. She and her husband, Alex and four young children, live in Fuquay-Varina. Vanessa thrilled us with the following songs: “The Blood Covered It All”; and an outstanding rendition of “Redeemed”. She and Anne, both, made a profound impression on those in attendance.
Anne Curry grew up with four brothers in a dysfunctional family. Her mother worked outside the home when Anne was young because her father was not always on the scene. The children were often left unsupervised. When her father was around, she and her brothers became objects of abuse. She would often wear long sleeve blouses to hide the bruises. She reached her teen years with much rebellion. Anne was looking for ways to escape her life. She said she hated school because her classmates shunned and avoided her. She decided to quit school and run away, but was eventually brought back home. At one point she attempted suicide; she spent much time recovering in a psychiatric ward.
One day Anne met a girl who became a friend and invited her to church. At first she refused to go. The girl never gave up and finally Anne accepted her invitation. The church members were good to her.
“I very quickly determined that I wanted what those people had, which was a genuine love for each other,” said Anne. “They seemed to know how much God loved them. Soon I began to feel maybe there was hope. Maybe I could have this same kind of love.
“I knew I wanted to be free from all the wrong decisions I had made in my life. I started to realize there was a Savior, and I could have His love and forgiveness. I began to understand that God gives a free gift through His Son, Jesus—the gift of eternal life. I prayed and asked Jesus to forgive my sins. Jesus entered my heart and helped me begin a new relationship with Him.”
Yet, there were still many things in her life that she told of having to overcome. She threw herself into church life; she could not get enough of God’s Word.
Psalm 103:1-4 became very dear to her: “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me bless His holy name, and forget not His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemed my life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies.” (KJV)
In time she met her husband Bill in that little church and in 1980 they were married. Sometime later, with two sons already, Anne realized that she was pregnant again in her forties. She remembered her mother’s statement, “There will be days like this.” Speaking to those assembled she said, “When you have one of those days, remember that God is faithful—He is always faithful.”
The next Priority luncheon will be Tuesday, March 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bentwinds Country Club. Amy Jones of Raleigh will be the speaker. The cost to attend is $10 per person. To make reservations, contact Faye Johnson at 919-552-3763 or fjohn5050@aol.com
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