The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

Local News

Related Photos

  • Kearney

    kearney 2.jpg
October 17, 2012

Kearney: ‘There’s no place like Tarboro’

Staff Writer Calvin Adkins

TARBORO — As a lad, when Melvin Kearney was told that he could be anything he wanted to be, he didn't quite understand what the grownups were saying.

Today, at the age of 30, the Tarboro native plays a bodyguard named "Bo" in the ABC-TV series "Nashville" as his life gives way to the grownup's teachings.  Although none of them predicted he would become an actor, they prophesied greatness beyond the little kid's imagination.

"When he came to our church as a young man, he had so much potential, so much energy, he was so positive," said the Rev. Jonah Walston, pastor of Salem Chapel Baptist Church, in Tarboro. "I told him with that approach he was going to be the president of the United States. There's nothing that he cannot accomplish if he puts his mind to it. He always looks at the glass as being half full instead of half empty and that's why I'm not surprised that he got a part on that TV show."

At an early age, Kearney often read scriptures and delivered short messages during Sunday School. He credits those times for giving him confidence to stand in front of an audience, and even landing the role on Nashville. He also credits his love for the people in his home town for planting positive seeds in his mind.

"That's why I always go back home and thank everybody who planted a seed in my life," Kearney said. "Like Rev. Walston, my dad, my aunt, my sister (Tarboro head football) Coach (Jeff) Craddock — everybody. They didn't put me in a box."

As the starting linebacker for the 2001 Vikings football team, Kearney received more life lessons from Craddock. Although he wasn't the strongest player on the team and he wasn't the fastest, he was one of its inspirational leaders. He brought intangibles to the table that coaches dream all of their players possess.

"Melvin was a great great kid," Craddock said. "He loves life, loves the Lord and he has his priorities perfectly in order. He severed his country two tours in Iraq. I wasn't surprised at all to learn that he had a acting job. I'm proud of Melvin.

Melvin is just as proud of Craddock

"He played a major roll in my life," Kearney said. "He kept pushing me and pushing me when I thought my body couldn't go any further. Then, all of a sudden, I would take off running just as fast I could just because what he was saying. I applied that in the combat zone and I'm applying it in my everyday life."

After graduating from high school, Kearney attended North Carolina A&T State University. His college career was put on hold when his National Guard Unit was called to serve in Iraq. After two tours in Iraq and completing college, he relocated in Michigan as an Army Wounded War Advocate. Kearney now lives in Murfreesboro, Tenn, where he is serving in the same capacity. His career has taken him all around the world, but for Kearney, there's no place like home.

"People ask me where I'm from, and I tell them Tarboro, North Carolina," he said. "I'm proud of where I've came from. Tarboro is taking over the airways. You got Shaun Draughn in the NFL and Todd Gurley doing his his thing with Georgia Bulldogs. You got (Takoby) Cofield with Duke. I'm proud to say I'm from Tarboro."  









 

Text Only
Local News
  • DWI-Tests.jpg NTSB wants to lower DWI blood alcohol levels

    The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a bold set of targeted interventions to put the United States on course to eliminate alcohol-impaired related crashes. They have given recommendations that call for stronger laws, swifter enforcement and expanded use of technology.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • Susan-Barnes-headshot.jpg Measles cases have state health officials concerned

    Twenty-three cases of the measles have been reported in North Carolina in a recent outbreak and has state health officials concerned.
    “It (measles) is a highly contagious disease that is spread in the air by coughing and sneezing,” said Susan Rogerson, nursing director at the Edgecombe County Health Department. Outbreaks of measles in the United States are rare because of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • MLK-Property.jpg County still looking for bids on 41 properties

    While county commissioners have accepted bids on seven foreclosure properties, a total of 41 others remain available for interested parties to submit bids.
    County Planning Director Brian Hassell said interested parties may submit bids for commissioners to consider. If a bid is approved and another party is interested, they may submit an upset bid.

    May 16, 2013 1 Photo

  • Buddy.jpg Scouts honor ‘Buddy’ Hooks

    Try as he might, master of ceremonies Dave Sharpe was unable to talk someone into telling an unexpected story on Ellis “Buddy” Hooks as Hooks was recognized as the 2013 Edgecombe County Distinguished Citizen Award recipient by the Boy Scouts of America.

    May 15, 2013 1 Photo

  • Sheriff_Knight.jpg Sheriff's Department to host junior academy

    The Edgecombe County Sheriff's Department will be hosting a junior academy for students ages 13-18 years old. Sheriff James Knight believes that this is the most important times of a juvenile's life and wants them to learn about the criminal justice system.

    May 15, 2013 1 Photo

  • Andrews.jpg Andrews assumes new position at ECPS Central Services

    John Farrelly, Superintendent of Edgecombe County Public Schools (ECPS), announced this week that Shawna Andrews has been named the Director of Middle Schools and Title I in the Educational Program Services Office at Central Services.
    Andrews, who most recently served as the Director of Elementary Schools and Title I, began her tenure with ECPS in 1995 as a math and science teacher at C.B. Martin Middle School. Following her completion of a Master’s in School Administration, she served as an administrative intern at G.W. Bulluck Elementary, SouthWest Edgecombe High School and Tarboro High School before being named an assistant principal at Tarboro High School in 2003.

    May 15, 2013 1 Photo

  • Big ‘Happening’ set for Tarboro Saturday

    At no time of the year is Tarboro’s Town Common more bustling with activity than the second Saturday in May. It’s that time of year again and the 43rd Annual Happening on the Common is set for 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday.
    “I think we’ve got a good day coming up,” said Carol Banks, event coordinator for the Edgecombe County Cultural Arts Council. “We’ve got record-breaking (number of) vendors. So far we’re up to 56.”

    May 13, 2013

  • Pinetops 300 kicks into gear this weekend

    One of the biggest community events in the southern part of Edgecombe County – the Pinetops 300 – is set for Friday and Saturday at its usual spot – 309 School St. at the ballpark in Pinetops. The truck and tractor pull, South Edgecombe Rural Fire Department’s fundraiser of the year, is a longstanding tradition.

    May 13, 2013

  • BulluckScienceFair-Brake.jpg Bulluck Elementary science fair

    G.W. Bulluck Elementary School hosted a science fair on April 29 for all students in the third, fourth and fifth grade.

    May 10, 2013 1 Photo

  • Daughtridge keynote speaker for ECC graduation Saturday

    “The world out there starts here” is Edgecombe Community College (ECC)’s motto, and for hundreds of students, the “world out there” begins Saturday at spring graduation.
    ECC’s 44th spring commencement will begin at 10 a.m. in the Keihin Auditorium on the Tarboro campus.

    May 9, 2013