Smithfield-Selma High School Hall of Fame

Video for Hall of Fame Inductees Year 2019

The 2019 inductees and their year of graduation are: Tamara Barbour (1990), Rick Childrey (1973), Marlon Lee (1992), Dr. Craig Pearce (1970), Bruce Radford (1973), and Dr. Renee Sanders-Lawson (1978).

Year 2019

  Tamara Watson Barbour, 1990 Graduate  

Attended NCSU with a BS in Mathematics Education, MA in Educational Administration, MA Mathematics Education,  following with a career in education since 1995.  She taught at Selma Middle and Clayton High. As an administrator since 2003 she has served at Benson Elementary, Wilson Mills Elementary, West Johnston High School and West Smithfield Elementary.  Mrs. Barbour served as Selma Middle--Cheerleading and Step Team Coach, as well as Clayton High's Step Team.  She is a Spirit of Shaw Award Recipient. Served as Class of 1990 Reunion Chairperson.  Mrs Barbour is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Mu Omicron Chapter, Fall 1993. She is a Charter Member Johnston County Alumnae serving as Chaplain, Committee Chair, Second-Vice President, First Vice-President, President. Mrs. Barbour Implemented Delta Academy, Delta GEMS, EMBODI  helping providing Scholarships for high school seniors.  She Sponsored Med Assist 5K Walk for Domestic Violence to benefit Harbor United Way, Contributor and Lead Organizer for Back to School Bash Fun in the Park. She is a part of Johnston County Association of Principals and Assistant Principal as well as Smithfield-Selma Chamber—Education Committee. She has been recognized with Delta Sigma Theta—South Atlantic Region—Leadership Fellow 2014-2016. 

Rick Childrey, 1973 Graduate

He was involved with the NHS yearbook. He attended NCSU using his experience at SSS to work on student newspaper and at The Smithfield Herald in college. Mr. Childrey has served with Jaycess since 1978 with a leadership role as Smithfield Jaycees President for a year as well as the state Vice President. He served as Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber or Commerce as president 1986-2016. Mr. Childrey serves as Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation since 1986 and served as their president this past year. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Central Johnston County since 1990 and a member of the Johnston County Visitors Bureau since 2015.   Mr. Childrey currently  serves on the board of trustees for Public Library of Johnston County and Smithfield.  Mr. Childrey has received the following awards: Smithfield Jaycees Distinguished Service Award, Johnston County Board of Education Honorary Hero, Smithfield-Selma Citizen of the Year, Honorary life member of Chamber of commerce.  

Marlon Lee, 1992 Graduate

On Friday Night Football you will find Marlon Lee under the Friday Night Lights supporting his Spartans. He attended NC A&T/ St. Augustine University in which he played basketball. He currently works at Clayton High School as a teacher,  Assistant Athletic Director, and continues to help student athletes by coaching basketball. Mr. Lee became the first African American Head Coach for Clayton High School.  Mr. Lee was named Coach of the Year two times in Women’s Basketball and Volleyball. He has maintained Clayton High’s best single season winning record for Basketball  (28-3) and Volleyball (21-2).  Mr. Lee was chosen as the East West’s All Star game in Greensboro as Assistant Coach for Women’s Basketball. St. Augustine University recognized Marlon Lee in the 2nd class of 45 under 45.  He volunteers as a referee and opens Smithfield’s Reginald Ennis Pavilion for “Every Child a  Chance” Basketball League..  Mr. Lee is an active community leader with East Smithfield Improvement Organization, Smithfield Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Branch of the NAACP,  Scholarship Chairman of the Johnston County Citizens Association, as well as the President of Men’s Progressive Club for Smithfield.   Mr. Lee is also known for being the co-sponsor of FUN IN THE PARK, free fun event held in Smith Collins Park in Smithfield. Mr. Lee is a spokesperson for his community and serves as East Smithfield’s Town Councilman. 

Dr. Craig Price, 1970 Graduate and Valedictorian

Dr. Price, a native of eastern North Carolina, completed his undergraduate and medical school studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was a Morehead Scholar and Fellow. His postgraduate surgical and otolaryngology training were completed at UNC hospitals. While at UNC, he also participated in a year-long head & neck oncology fellowship, and he remains on the clinical faculty at UNC Chapel Hill as a clinical instructor.  Dr. Price is involved in the Raleigh community and has served on the boards of the Salvation Army of Raleigh, the Urban Ministries of Raleigh and the Open Door Clinic. He and his wife, Pamela, were named co-volunteers of the year for the Open Door Clinic. He coaches several sports - most notably basketball.  Dr. Craig Price continues to serve as ENT in Garner and Raleigh offices.

Bruce Radford, 1973 Graduate

During Mr. Radford participated in SSS’s  Drama Club, School Plays, Student Government Association, Drum Major for SSS Marching Spartans, Naval Junior ROTC  Commander of the Manual Arms Rifle Drill Team, School Newspaper Staff. Writer, Marketing and Distribution Manager.  Manager of the School Store.  After high school he  joined the United States Air Force. He was responsible for the Wing Commanders Top Secret Document files. Promoted to Sgt and Honorably Discharged in 1979. Mr. Radford then attended Appalachian State and Campbell University.  He received graduate degrees from App State and UNC Chapel Hill. Mr. Radford attended Harvard Kennedy School of Government Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program. Mr. Radford’s career was in Town Management in Troy, Washington, Selma and Apex. Mr. Radford was a community servant with Jaycees, American Legion Post 124, Judge Advocate, Rotary Club, Meals on Wheels, Habitat Humanity, Crisis Line, Washington Historic Commission, Save Richard B. Harrison Gym Committee,  Red Cross Volunteer, and Pamlico-Tar River Environmental Committee. Recognition was abundant as Mr. Radford was awarded two times the NC Volunteer of the Year by Governor James Martin and Jim Hunt for Community Service. .As Selma Town Manager Mr. Radford’s program ""The Downtown Selma to Uptown Selma Turnaround"" was recognized by the Harvard University Innovations in Government Awards and as the Citizen of the Year by the Smithfield-Selma Chamber of Commerce.  Upon Mr. Radford’s retirement (2016) Governor Pat McCrory gave Bruce the ""Order of the Long Leaf Pine"", the highest civilian award given in the State of NC for 32 years of continuous service to the State and her citizens.  Mr. Radford  continues now to volunteer for Selma rejuvenate the Central Business District to it's former glory.  

Dr. Renee Sanders-Lawson, 1978 Graduate

Dr. Sanders-Lawson received her Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Michigan State University and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Masters of Science degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her research interests include school leadership, diversity in the administration of K-12 schools, first year principals, and women of color in higher education administrative work also focused on first-generation and low-income students to increase retention rates and enhance academic success.        She is a retired educator serving grades k-12 as well as Higher education.  Dr. Sanders-Lawson was the first African American  female principal in Johnston County School District (post-integration), served as principal, counselor, and HR Director here. Went on to become an assistant professor at the University of Memphis and published author.  University of Memphis:-Nominated for the Alumni Association Distinguished Teaching Award - University of Memphis - 2011, 2012; College of Education Leadership Initiative-2007; Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) Academic Leadership Program Fellow - The Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) - 2003 Michigan State University: Gold hammer Endowed Scholarship - 2000; Richard L. Featherstone Endowed Scholarship - Michigan State University - 2000, 1999; Equal Opportunity Program Fellowship - 1999; Clyde M. Campbell Endowed Scholarship -1998; Equal Opportunity Program Fellowship - 1997.  Educational Entrepreneur - Educational System Institute, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio - 1994, Education Policy Fellows Program (EPFP Fellow)/Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) - Public School Forum of North Carolina - 1993, Principal's Executive Program - The Institute of Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - 1992, North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching - North Carolina Board of Governors - 1985

Video for SSS Inaugural Hall of Fame Inductees 

Inaugural Class

Lyn Andrews (1975), Tony Nixon, Dr. Rose Snipes Bynum(1972), Tom Lock (1974), Darryl Lynn Lucas (1980), Mayor Andy Moore (1989), Tony Nixon (1976),  Mike Wooten (1981)  

Lyn Andrews, 1975 graduate

Played basketball at Peace College.  Became First  female PE teacher at SSS. 2008 Volunteer of the Year for Jo Co Special Olympics, 2008 Volunteer of the Year for the Triangle.  Served as Director of the Exceptional Children’s program for JCPS.  The Hall of Fame was founded in 2018 as a function of the administration of Smithfield-Selma High School and Smithfield-Selma High School Alumni Club.

Dr. Rose Bynum, 1972 graduate

Attended UNC Chapel Hill in the Medical field and became Asst. Professor  for UNC Depart. of Medicine/Nephrology and industry research, GlaxoSmithKline VP of US Medical Affairs. Senior Medical Director at UCB Biosciences.

Tom Lock, 1974 graduate 

Mr. Lock earned his bachelors and JD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Lock is the Superior Court Judge for Judicial District 11B and has previously served as District Attorney. In 1997 the Raleigh News and Observer named him “Tar Heel of the Week,” for his excellence in his profession.  

Darryl Lynn Lucas,  1980 graduate

He received a football scholarship to play at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He was named Most Outstanding Freshman following the 1980 ACC Championship game. He is a decorated soldier, honored with the Bronze Star and Meritorious Medal for his service.

Andy Moore, 1989 graduate 

Mr. Moore matriculated to North Carolina St. University.  He served four terms on the Smithfield Town Council and then was elected Mayor of Smithfield in 2015.  Moore works at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and is an active member in the community and his church.

Tony Nixon, 1976 graduate

Mr. Nixon went to Tennessee St. to play tennis.  He is the director of Walter Sanders Funeral Home. He was a founder of the Smithfield Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi and was named “Member of the Year,” for Johnston County Citizens Association.  He has also worked on Barack Obama’s Presidential campaigns.

Mike Wooten, 1981 graduate

Mr. Wooten received a football scholarship to Virginia Military Institute.  He continued his football career in the NFL with the Washington Redskins. After school he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the US Army.  Wooten is a VP at Four Oaks Bank and Trust and has also served on the Smithfield Town Council as well as being an accomplished collegiate football referee.

 History and Purpose of SSS Hall of Fame

Chris Lattimer, former teacher and Assistant Principal Intern, with the help of Smithfield-Selma Alumni Association, had a vision to enhance students and Alumni for SSS through creating an Alumni Hall of Fame to highlight Alumni that have walked the halls of Smithfield-Selma High School and went on to make a major impact to our community and be a light to the world!

The Smithfield-Selma High School Alumni Hall of Fame is designed to annually recognize outstanding Smithfield-Selma High School alumni who have achieved distinction in their lives and chosen field after high school through significant contributions to their career, community or through personal achievements; to provide an incentive for current and future students.  Please note this is not an Athletic Hall of Fame, although many successful candidates have a background in athletics it is not required.  

Do you have an Alumni in mind to recommend?  Please email the current SSS Principal, David Allen or Fill out Google Form available on this page (Coming soon).  Please be detailed and include all information.  The following Selection Criteria can help you!

Selection Criteria

1. Nominees to Smithfield-Selma High School Hall of Fame are first eligible after 10 years of their class’s graduation.
2. Selection is based on achievement after leaving Smithfield-Selma High School which shall include a worthy record in more than one and exemplary achievement in at least one of the following:
1. Job-related achievements
2. Professional honors and awards, professional affiliations, publications
3. Civic or community involvement
4. Personal achievements/Accomplishments
5. Positive impact on the communities around Smithfield Selma High School
6. Other appropriate qualifications which the committee believes merit consideration
3. Nomination committee is asked to remember to balance out both Smithfield and Selma  representation.
4. The nomination committee may consider a team as a member of the Hall of Fame.  This team can be an Athletic Team, Band, ROTC, or any other club or team that have been recognized by outstanding accomplishments.  The recognition. must have been at least 5 years prior to the year of induction.