Applications for the MC Hall of Honor Class of 2025 will be open from January 1 - April 1, 2025.
Montgomery County Hall of Honor
Class of 2024
Steven (Steve) Deberry
Steve DeBerry is a graduate of West Montgomery High School. He has a Bachelor of Science in Textile Technologies and Management from North Carolina State University. Mr. DeBerry is a retired Regional Director from Wepack Logistics. He has been a member of the Montgomery County School Board since 1984, where he has been nominated and elected the chairman of the board for thirty-six consecutive years. As the chairman of the board, Mr. DeBerry has facilitated the construction of Page Street Elementary School, Green Ridge Elementary School, East Middle School, West Middle School, and additional capital projects within the district. He has been awarded the Honor Roll of Educators from Biscoe Presbyterian Church, the Dewey Jackson recipient of the John E. Reeves Honor Award, and Outstanding Leadership Ability from the Textile Veterans Association. One of his greatest accomplishments was facilitating the merging of the two high schools into Montgomery Central High School, which has made Montgomery County Schools stand out among the rest.
Brady Dickson
Brady Dickson has served and continues to serve Montgomery County as a business person, philanthropist, volunteer, and elected official. His business, professional, and elected service gained him well-deserved recognition and awards. Mr. Dickson was a founding member and former president of the Montgomery Community College Foundation. Montgomery Community College recognized him as the Humanitarian of the Year in 2009 and in 2017 named him that year’s Trailblazer, acknowledging his role in shaping the success of the college. He is a founding member of the Montgomery County Fund. Mr. Dickson served 3 terms on the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners and served on the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority under the North Carolina Department of Commerce. He is an active leader in the Boy Scouts of America and has received the Distinguished Citizen Award of Montgomery County, the Silver Beaver Award, and the Good Scout Award. Mr. Dickson received the Governor Volunteer Award from Governor Jim Hunt in 1980. His leadership and companies have provided economic development as well as employment opportunities for many Montgomery County citizens.
Reverend Dr. Orishatukeh Faduma
The Reverend Doctor Orishatukeh Faduma, teacher and minister, was born in Guyana, South America (formerly British Guiana), to John and Omolofi Faduma, freed African slaves from Yorubaland (now in southwestern Nigeria, West Africa) in 1856. Faduma arrived in Troy, N.C. as the pastor of the First Congregational Church of Troy and principal of the Peabody Academy in 1895. Faduma became a naturalized citizen in 1902. At the time, Peabody was the only institution of higher learning for African Americans in Montgomery County. Through the educational and spiritual leadership of Reverend Faduma, the quality of life for African American citizens in Montgomery County was enhanced tremendously. Faduma's life was not confined to teaching, however. He was very much a public man influenced by contemporary politics, religion, culture, race, and social relations in North Carolina, Africa, and the United States. Working with key figures such as W.E.B. DuBois, Booker T. Washington, and others, Reverend Faduma was able to advance further the fight for civil rights for all Americans of African descent. Rev. Faduma passed away in 1946 and is buried beside his wife at Greenwood Cemetery in High Point, N.C.
James (Jim) Matheny
Mr. Matheny prior to returning to Montgomery County, had a distinguished career in the United States Navy where he was awarded Naval Aviator Wings in 1960 and graduated from the Naval War College in 1976. During his military career, he held five command positions, including, the USS Saratoga, and was the president of Atlas Air. While in Montgomery County, he dedicated himself to community service and improving the quality of life for its residents. He served 12 years as county commissioner for Montgomery County and was influential in the building of Montgomery Central High School. Mr. Matheny's commitment extended to his church, where he served as a deacon and trustee at Troy First Baptist Church. He was also an active member of the Rotary Club, served on the board of the Montgomery County Crisis Fund, and played an instrumental role in starting Communities In Schools. Mr. Matheny was a key figure in the organization of THRIVE and the construction of new facilities for Montgomery County Animal Services, the Humane Society, and the Council on Aging’s new food distribution center. Mr. Matheny's tireless efforts have significantly impacted his church, government, education, welfare, and economic development, making him a true champion of Montgomery County.
Henry F. (Lowe) Warner
Henry F. (Lowe) Warner, a Montgomery County native, served in WWII as a 57-mm. antitank gunner with the 2nd battalion. Corporal Warner was a major factor in stopping enemy tanks during heavy attacks against the battalion positioned near Dam Butgenbach, Belgium, on 20-21 December 1944. In the first attack, enemy tanks penetrated parts of the line. Corporal Warner destroyed the first tank and scored a direct and deadly hit upon the second. A third tank approached and Corporal Warner engaged in a pistol duel with the tank commander forcing him to withdraw. Corporal Warner scored a direct hit on a Mark IV tank. Disregarding his injuries, Corporal Warner endeavored to finish the loading and again fired at the tank when a second machine gun burst killed him. In addition to the Medal of Honor he received posthumously, he was also awarded The Order of Leopold, Belgium’s version of the Medal of Honor, The Purple Heart, and The Bronze Star. Troy has a park and a senior center in his honor on Page Street called Lowe Warner Memorial Park.