This was not an “in lieu of flowers” kind of day. Her friends knew that. So they brought flowers to Sara last week, enough to fill the front office of the Davie County Enterprise-Record. So many that Eaton’s Funeral Home director Carl Lambert said he felt right at home when he stopped by.
It seemed that half of Davie County stopped by.
They were lined up out the door at times. Old newspaper employees stopped in or called. Customers came in to have one last chat with Sara in the chair beside her desk. That’s where she has dispensed wisdom and advice to thousands over the generations — all for the price of a newspaper.
One fellow waited more than an hour to have a final sit-down chat with Sara.
Mrs. Alice Clontz of Smith Grove brought a grandson with her to have the experience of buying a newspaper from the Enterprise-Record’s faithful secretary and newspaper merchant. Davie Jewelers’ Barry McBride drove from Clemmons, sliding in just before closing time to buy a last newspaper from our Sara Campbell, who sold her last newspapers in the office after 67 years.
It was a fine time.
Politicians came. Mocksville Mayor Francis Slate and Sara’s neighbor stopped in. A lot of Methodists were in the mix — church friends from her Mocksville 1st United congregation. A news crew from WGHP-TV came, led by her grandson and newscaster Brent Campbell. Mocksville Manager Christine Bralley came with hugs and memories.
There was a run on the prior week’s edition which featured a picture of Sara on the front page. Sara autographed copies for her fans.
We raked in the quarters.
“The newspaper will never be the same,” said countless visitors.
They are right. If the assaults from the Internet …