Jun. 3--Lift high the cross.

That is precisely what Mary and Norman Patrick, John Langley, Ronald Ratley and others are doing along South Eastern Boulevard.

"So many people have no hope," says Mary Patrick, who will be president of "The Peoples Cross," a 501(3C) that Patrick says she, her husband, Ratley and Langley have formed to maintain utility and maintenance costs for the Christian symbol originally erected in 2003 by Clayton J. Britt.

All of the paperwork is in order with the state, says Norman Patrick, who will serve as the nonprofit's secretary. Ratley is vice president. Langley is treasurer.

'Just a little help'

Langley, 53, brought attention to the cross two months ago, when he and his son, after 18 months, could no longer pay the $65-plus monthly utility bill to keep it in lights after dusk.

He pleaded for financial help.

Amy Bill, a 34-year-old local Christian/gospel singer, and Frank Moulden paid the tardy fees of $281.82, and the April cost of $65.65.

Then, the Patricks got involved.

It's not the first time.

"I paid for it for 18 months," says Norman Patrick, 62. "I paid for it out of my pocket until 2005."

Until, he says, Clayton Britt resumed paying the utility bill to Fayetteville Public Works Commission and property rent of $500 a year.

Apparently, according to Norman Patrick, Britt stopped paying the utility bill when he moved to a rest home.

That's when Langley and his son took over the utility payments, a benevolent effort they had to forgo with the economic downturn.

"If we could just get a little help from the community," Langley said in early April. "Maybe if 50 people want to help for a year by sending five bucks a pop."

The community responded.

My phone didn't stop ringing for about three weeks, with folks such as Mike Beaugh, Monice McLean Trough, John Bantsolas, Amitra Carter, Margaret Hedgecoe, Brenda Colbert, Franklin Reid, Col. Jack Cox and Chaplain Diana Smith among the many who wanted to know how they could help.

'The Peoples Cross'

Well, here's how:

An account, according to the Patricks, has been established as "The Peoples Cross" at all First Citizen Bank branches.

Scott Sessoms, a bank agent, says deposits can be made on the account at any time.

Donations will be used to pay for the utility bill, rent of $60 a month and paint for the cross that Langley says is rusting.

"We'll start painting it next week," Langley says, and the paint will be furnished at no charge by Sherwin-Williams at 209 Hope Mills Road.

"John told me what it was for, and that was that," says Charles Williams, 42, a sales representative with the company.

Bill's Mobile Crane Service, which put up the steel cross in 2003 for Britt, will provide the hydraulic lift at no charge.

Epilogue

Meanwhile, Mary Patrick plans to accent the cement base of the cross with shrubs, flowers and benches for those who would like to stop by for prayer and meditation. And she would like to dedicate a plaque in honor of Clayton J. Britt.

"The purpose," Norman Patrick says, "is to get people talking about the Lord."

Bill Kirby can be reached at kirbyb@fayobserver.com or 323-4848, ext. 486.

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