Celebrating 45 Years In Entertainment!
Jimmy & Peggy Earp
Johnston County Education Foundation Memorial Scholarships
Meet my parents, Jimmy and Peggy Earp, two of the greatest people I have ever known. Now, I know, everyone says they have the greatest parents in the world. Well, I really did. My whole life I never heard anyone say anything but kind words about my parents. They were good people!! I love them very much and it is a blessing and an honor to be their son.
TWO SEPARATE Scholarships have been established in their name to honor the memory of these two amazing people. Please take time to read their story below and if possible please support a young person in our county with your tax deductable contribution to one or both of these Scholarships.
Click the button below to give to either of these scholarships. Your contribution is 100% tax deductable. When there, simply follow the instructions under Donate Now at the bottom of the page.
Peggy Wall Earp
Peggy Earp
April 28, 1938 - June 16, 2025
The first Peggy Earp Memorial Scholarship will be given this coming school year to a graduating high school senior in Johnston County, NC with plans to attend an accredited two or four year college, community college, or university as a full time student. Applicants should have a volunteer heart and a willingness to give of their time and talents to helping others. Applicants should be able to show and list examples of volunteer service, giving, and demonstrate a history of service to others, whether it be in their school, church, civic, or community orginazations throughout their high school years. Peggy spent her whole life giving to others and this giving spirit should be in the heart of anyone seeking this award. Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA, provide letters of recommendation, and write a brief essay highlighting their volunteer accomplishments and what giving means to them.
This award is given by me, her son, and supported by myself, and countless friends that knew her, and organizations where she volunteered.
My Mom's story is below. If you would like to support this scholarship click the RED BUTTON above or simply go to:
jced.foundation
Click on “GIVING”
Scroll down to “Donate Now” at bottom
Check the designate circle for
Peggy Earp Memorial Scholarship
Give with Credit Card through PAYPAL
You DO NOT have to have a PAYPAL account to donate.
Giving in any amount is appreciated and your contribution is completely tax deductable.
The 1st Scholarship will be given this coming
2025-26 School Year
Born between Micro and Selma on the Wall Family Farm on April 28, 1938 to a wonderful, hardworking mother and father, she was the youngest of seven children, two brothers, twin sisters, and two other sisters.
She attendented Micro School to the fourth grade, before moving to Selma into a home her father built. The remainder of her grade school years were spent at Selma High School. During high school, she worked afternoons, and on Saturdays, for Chandler's Dime Store. In addition, she worked as secretary for Johnston County Civil Defense and continued to work there for a few years part time. She graduated from Selma High School in 1957 on a Friday, and went to work on that following Monday as secretary and bookkeeper for Occidental Life Insurance Co. in Raleigh.
On May 27, 1960, she married her high school sweetheart Jimmy and they were married for 60 years, until his passing in Febuary of 2021. In her own words "On February 9, 1965, we were blessed with a God sent, perfect, wonderful son James (Jim) Leon Earp Jr." my Mom wrote in her bio for an award she received later in life. I don't know how much of that is true, but I wasn't going to debate her. Our family were members of the Selma Presbyterian Church.
Leaving Raleigh after a couple of years, she went to work for Provident Finance in Smithfld as secretary and assistant loan manager for about ten years. She was office manager for Max Creech Insurance in Selma, secretary, bookkeeper, and office manager for Howell Heating & Air, and finally bookkeeper for Dunn Furniture Company for several years. Being one of the first students to enroll in the cosmetology department at Johnston Community College, she graduated in 1974 with a degree in Cosmetology. With her degree, she opened, owned, and operated PJ's Klip & Kurl Korner and ran her own salon for 22 years.
Being an avid Golfer with her husband, she was a charter member of the Cardinal Country Club and was eventually given Lifetime Membership. She was a 2 time Women's Club Champion in both 1984 and 1987.
Her volunteer service to her community was nothing short of amazing! A member of the Women of the Moose, chapter #486, she held the office of Senior Regent, Junior Regent, Secretary/Treasuer, Chaplain, and Junior Grad Regent. In short, she held every position in the local chapter but that of Recorder. She was recognized and presented with a plaque by Moose International as the North Carolina Novise Co-Worker Of The Year 2009-2010 for service to the organization and community.
She was a volunteer with the March Of Dimes since the early 1970's, representing Johnston County on the Board of the Cape Fear Chapter. While in the Selma Woman's Club, she started the first MOD Poster Child for Johnston County, Tiffany Hooks of Selma, who went on to be the North Carolina Poster Child in 1986. As a volunteer with the MOD, she was presented with the Bronze Order Of Battered Boot in 1978. It is the highest award give by the March Of Dimes. She also was presented with the 10 Year Service Award in 1981 for Distinguished Volunteer Leadership, the MOD Honorary Volunteer Award in 1986, and the Johnston County Crusade Chairman Award for 1988-1989.
She was on the committee that started one of the first organized groups supporting the American Cancer Society in Johnston County. Again a volunteer since the early 70's, she received the plaque Sword Of Hope, which was the highest award given for volunteer services in the local chapter at the time. She was named Volunteer Of The Year in 1987, served as President Crusade Chairmen for Johnston County Unit form 1988-1989, and remained a supporter and care giver to Cancer patients into her senior years and eventually becoming a cancer survivor herself.
In 1983, she was presented with the Loyal & Devoted Service Award 1979-1983 by the SSS Band at Smithfield-Selma High School where I played drums all 4 years.
Being an insulin dependent diabetic for over 30 years, she helped organize the Johnston County Chapter, served on the Board Of Directors, and in 1995 received membership in the Chairman's Club of the American Diabetes Association.
January 1999, she was presented with the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award by the Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce for service beyond the call for the Town of Selma.
In October of 2013, she was given the honor to be Parade Grand Marshall for the 38th Annual Railroad Days festival in her hometown of Selma.
And since it's beginning in 1987, she has played a role as volunteer (until she became old enough to play) and participant in the Johnston County Senior Games and State Senior Games. Staying acitve was an important part of my mother's life. She, along with my father, enjoyed participating in the Senior Games every year, and every year she could not wait to get out there with her friends and compete. And she was quite competitive. She participated in Golf, Bowling, Shotput, Discus, Softball and Football Throw, and Horseshows. Over the last 5 years of her life, she had to rely on a rollator walker to get around, but that did not stop her. And although she could no longer compete in the activites I mentioned above, she was still able to play Billiards, Bocce, and Cornhole, holding on to her walker with one had and throwing with the other, winning a Gold, Silver, and Bronze in the 2025 local games, just 6 weeks before her passing. She was a true inspiration to us all.
My mother's most passionate service was her time with the General Federation Of Woman's Clubs. As recorded at GFWC Headquarters, she joined the Federation in 1964. She was a member of the Selma Juniors for 14 years, a member of the Selma Woman's Club for 28 years into the middle of 2006. When the Selma Woman's Club could no longer function as a federated club, due to age of members and carring for the clubhouse, she joined the Woman's Club of Clayton that same year and continued as a clubmember until her passing. She has been presented with the GFWC 50 Year Member Pin, a member of the Fifty Year Member Club and was ultimately a member for 61 years in total.
In the Selma Juniors she served as Public Affairs Chairman and Arts Chairman. In the Selma Woman's Club she served as President, Scholarship Chairman, Newsletter Editor/Publisher, Yearbook Chairman, Scrapbook Chairman, and Public Affairs Chairman. In District 13, she was Vice President, President, Literature Chair, Arts Chair, Public Affairs Chair, Parliamentary, and Chair of the Executive Board. In District 8, she was Vice President, Sallie Southall Cotten Scholarship Chair, Federation Day Chair, Literature Chair, Arts Festival Co-Chair, and Nominating Committee Chair. In the NC Federation Of Woman's Clubs, she was the Crime Prevention Chair, Safety Division Chair, Literature Chair, Visual Arts Chair, The First Figurine Chairman, and Fund Raising Committee Chair. In the GFWC-NC, she was Visual Arts Chair, Beautification Chair, Lucy Patterson Committee, and 1902 Society. In the Woman's Club Of Clayton, she served as Art CSP Co-Chair, Literature Chair, Scrapbook Chair, and Parliamentarian.
Awards Won in the Federation Include:
* 1971 - Randy Owens Service Award for service to club and community with the Selma Woman's Club.
* 1978 Grace Johnson Award as clubwoman of the year for the Selma Woman's Club.
* 1987 District 13 Juanita Bryant Citizenship Award.
* 1987 District 13 Eva Marie Long Award.
* 1991 Was honored with a Life Time Membership in the GFWC-NC.
* Before 1996, won General Clubwoman of the Year twice and the Selma Woman's Club Clubwoman of the Year 6 times.
* 1997 Minnie Lou Parker Creech Award for General Clubwoman of the Year for work done in 1996.
** 1998 Won the GFWC-NC Julene Barlow McPhaul CLUBWOMAN WITH HEART presented at the State Convention.
** 2005 Won the GFWC-NC Juanita Bryant Citizenship Award presented at the State Convention.
When prepairing a bio for one of those awards she received from the GFWC-NC at the State Convention she was ask to answer some simple questions about herself.
Favorite Place to Be and Favorite Things to Do?
"Any place that my son may be, going to concerts, and trips he plans, and enjoying our time together."
Favorite Movie?
The Bible (1966) with Michael Parks & Ulla Bergryd
Rear Window (1954) with James Stewart & Grace Kelly
It's A Wonderful Life (1947) with James Stewart & Donna Reed
"No favorite, but in that order"
If you could witness an historic event?
"The Birth Of Christ."
What might someone be surprised to know about you?
"I'm passinate about helping the elderly. Volunteering in any way that I could in the community. I was instrumental in starting the Senior Games program in Johnston County. Volunteering before I was of age to participate (55), then a participant and volunteer. I'm proud of the Senior Games program, giving Seniors the opportunity to meet friends accross Johnston County and help to stay active."
What's your hidden talent?
"I'm very competitive. I will attempt to do anything that's put before me."
The things that govern your life?
"God and Family. My purpose is taking satisfaction in helping those that need help and giving to the community for a better place to live. Regardless of age or ability, we are all valuable in our own way and have something to contribute. No one person is more important than the other, regardless of how much or little they do."
James Leon "Jimmy" Earp
Jimmy Earp
January 13, 1939 - February 7, 2021
The James L. "Jimmy" Earp Memorial Golf Scholarship is given to a graduating high school senior in Johnston County, NC with plans to attend an accredited two or four year college, community college, or university as a full time student. Applicants should have played golf for 1-4 or more years on the high school golf team. Jimmy was an avid golfer and spent the majority of his life playing, teaching, and watching the game of golf. Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA, provide letters of recommendation from a coach or club pro, and write a brief essay explaining their journey with the game and intent for their future in golf.
This award is given by me, his son, and supported by myself, and countless friends that knew him, and players of the game.
My Dad's story is below. If you would like to support this scholarship click the RED BUTTON above or simply go to:
jced.foundation
Click on “GIVING”
Scroll down to “Donate Now” at bottom
Check the designate circle for
James L. "Jimmy" Earp Golf Scholarship
Give with Credit Card through PAYPAL
You DO NOT have to have a PAYPAL account to donate.
Giving in any amount is appreciated and your contribution is completely tax deductable.
There have been 4 of these scholarships awarded and the recipients are listed below.
Born in Selma on January 13, 1939, my Dad grew up on the Mill Hill as it was known back in the day, famed in the 1930's for Selma's three cotton mills, where nearly everyone worked. His parents passed while he was still a teen, a brother that passed from post war trama, and a sister who he lost in his early 30's.
Growing up he attendented Selma School, where in his high school years, excelled in basketball and football. A popular student he was even voted class president. While in school he met and fell in love with the girl that would become his wife, my Mom, Peggy Jean Wall. They married May 27, 1960, and were married for 60 years, until his passing in Febuary of 2021. He attended Atlantic Christian College in Wilson receiving a degree in Mathematics. During this time, Dad applied for and got a job delivering mail for the US Postal Service in Selma. He started his carreer right out of college and retired from the Postal Service as a rural letter carrier with over 35 years of service. In his retirement, he enjoyed spending time with Mom and I, along with watching, teaching, and playing golf. He was a Member of the Selma Presbyterian Church, a life member of the Cardinal Country Club, the Selma Moose Lodge, and the Republican National Committee.
When talking to my Dad about his life he only cared about 4 things. He loved the Lord, he loved his family, he loved his job, and he loved the game of Golf. He was introduced to golf as a young man and it became a big part of his life. You see, as a postal carrier, he quickly worked his way up to carrying Route 1 Selma, a rural area outside of town that encompassed most of the town's rural area, because the other three sides to the east, west, and south were bordered to other towns. His daily plan was to start as early as he could on the route, because the eariler he could get the mail delivered, the quicker he could get to the golf course.
Mastering the game of golf at an early age, my Dad became known as one of the best around. He often participated in tournaments on the weekends, placing in many, and even winning a few. He played on the golf team at ACC and was a was well known as a team leader.
His passion even rubbed off on my Mom, who also became quite a good player. He and Mom were Charter Members of the Cardinal Country Club, and for Dad, became a second home. Naturally, when I became old enough to walk, Dad had a golf club in my hand. There is a photo somewhere. Our whole family, the 3 of us, all became good golfers because of my Dad and his love for the game. I myself lettered 4 years in high school golf and all because of my Dad and his extensive knowledge of the game. He and I even seriously considered Golf as a carrer path for me. You could often see him helping someone with their swing and over the years there were many that contributed their success on the links to him.
He and I played in several Father-Son tournaments during my high school days, and again even placed and won some. He played in the Club Championship, Member-Member, Member-Guest, and any other tournments the club hosted or he was invited to play in. He even qualified to play in the NC Amateur Golf Tournament. His highest achievement in golf is that he is the 4 Time Cardinal Country Club Champion, winning tournaments in 1977, 1979, 1980, and 1984.
Passion for the game is an understatement. One of his favorite things to do was to attend PGA Tournament Events with his friends. He was able to meet and have conversation with a number of the all time greats and I was with him when he met, and had a Q&A, with the Legendary Arnold Parmer.
My dad worked hard, took care of my Mom and I very well, and was a friend to everyone. Some of his other hobbies were billiards. He was a pool shark as well. He played often out at the Moose Lodge and enjoyed playing in pool tournaments around the area with my Uncle Milburn. He shot pool in the Senior Games as well, winning medals in billiards and golf over his senior years.
He also collected golf clubs and golf related items. In his later years, he enjoyed driving around on the weekends looking for yard sales and visiting flea markets. Where he would spend time taking to friends he had made or anyone who would listen. He enjoyed conversation. Which is to say if you engaged in conversation with him, pull us a chair, you were going to be there for a while. Many of his closest friends, told stories of seeing him out somewhere and they would duck and hide or turn the other way, because they knew if he saw them, they would be tied up for an hour or more. Dad loved people and people loved my Dad. Delivering mail to over half the town for 35 years, you get to know people and they get to know you. Everyone knew my Dad.
Getting back to his obsession. I always knew from time to time I would open up the trunk of his car and see a few golf clubs, or a bag of clubs or two that I had not seen before. Never really thought much of it. I knew he would pick up a few clubs from time to time while out visiting those yard sales and flea markets. But I did not fully understand the magnitute of the situation until he passed. I had not been in the garage in several years. I knew there was nothing really in there. Boy was I in the dark. A few months after he passed, a limb from a neighboring tree fell on the roof of the garage and punched a whole in it. So Mom calls me over to deal with it. When I open the door to the garage for the first time, I was blown away. As far as you could see and as high as he could stack them, there were bags upon bags of golf clubs. It took me and a friend 7 hours to empty them all out. The grand total, an estimated 250 sets. Well 250 bags, some had multiple sets in them. 4 years later, I am still going through them in my spare time and have not even made a dent. This man loved my Mom! He loved golf! He loved me! And I loved him!
James L. "Jimmy" Earp Memorial Golf Scholarships
Cameron Hicks
Cameron is the 2022 Recipient from
Clayton High School.
Gracie Lynn Snipes
Gracie is the 2023 Recipient from
Princeton High School.
Colby Champion Stephens
Colby is the 2024 Recipient from
West Johnston High School.
Kaylyn Renee Rambly
Kaylyn is the 2025 Recipient from
Princeton High School.