Boyce Cheatwood This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. The Record - North Wilkesboro, North Carolina -- Wilkes County's First Worldwide Newspaper.

   www.therecordofwilkes.com/news - [Cached]

   Published on: 7/20/2005   Last Visited: 8/29/2007

   Fundraiser ride to honor Cheatwood for years with N.W. Elks Lodge
   ...
   When you hear the name Boyce Cheatwood, you can't help but think of the North Wilkesboro Elks Lodge.
   
   A lifetime member of the Elks after 35 years in the club, Cheatwood managed the lodge from 1982 until 1997. Still, he's there most days serving as the unofficial greeter to those who eat lunch and dinner at the club.
   
   Because of Cheatwood's long association with the North Wilkesboro Elks Lodge, members have organized a motorcycle ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway in his honor. The ride will be a benefit for the club and the Wilkes charities it gives to.
   
   Cheatwood, 81, of North Wilkesboro, has been involved in numerous civic organizations most of his life. Those include serving as president of Wilkes Central's Quarterback Club, serving as president of the Wilkes Jaycees in 1957. He is also a member of American Legion Post 31, is a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose (of which he's a charter member) and is also a member of the Coaches Circle of the Deacon Club at Wake Forest University.
   
   When asked why he has been so heavily involved in civic groups, Cheatwood answered simply, "I just enjoy it."
   
   During a recent interview with Cheatwood, he said he felt undeserving of having the event held in his honor.
   ...
   Cheatwood has been a well-known figure in Wilkes throughout most his life.
   
   He and twin bother, Voyce were born to parents Foy and Ennis in 1923.
   ...
   In 1942, Cheatwood moved to Baltimore to work in a factory. He worked there for a year before he was drafted into the Army Air Corp. Voyce had been drafted into the Army as well and fought with the artillery at the Battle of the Bulge. Cheatwood said he was lucky in that he was able to stay in the states during the war.
   
   Upon his discharge in 1946, Cheatwood came back to Wilkes and opened a nightclub called The Pines Club, which was at the intersection of N.C. 268 and Airport Road. A year later, he took a job at the North Wilkesboro Post Office.
   
   While working at the post office, Cheatwood opened his Cheatwood's Charcoal Steak House on N.C. 268, which he operated from 1954 until 1969. It was also during that time that he joined the North Wilkesboro Elks Lodge.
   
   He retired from the post office in 1972. His last year with the postal service, he had served as acting postmaster for Ronda.
   ...
   During his time at the Dodge House, Cheatwood met Rachel Wade, a school teacher.
   ...
   In 1982, Cheatwood left the Dodge House. That same year he was approached by members of the North Wilkesboro Elks Lodge. "They asked me if I wanted to manage the lodge," he said.
   
   Those years were good ones for Cheatwood, he said, with the exception of the death of his brother Voyce 14 years ago.
   
   Since his retirement in 1997, Cheatwood and his wife have spent more time traveling. They've been to far off places like Alaska, New Zealand and Russia. "It's something that we really enjoy doing," he said.
   
   Last week, Cheatwood, Owen and other members of the lodge were gearing up for the fundraiser ride.
   ...
   "I'm hoping it will be a big success for the Elks Lodge," Cheatwood said.
   
   30 tons of food, clothing, gifts to be given away at Day of Blessing
   
   The Shelter Rock Day of Blessing is making a return visit to Wilkes after two years.