Cornerstone Families
The Banning Family
The Banning family name is synonymous with family values, building great team culture and genuine care and service to our community. For over 50 years, they have invested their time, talent and resources to champion causes that keep our faith, our family and our communities at the forefront of our everyday lives. Most recently Jeff Banning has written a fantastic leadership program called Aspire. The Aspire program will work nationally with Salvation Army to train all of their leaders in specialized leadership skills. Accepting for the Banning Family is Jeff Banning.
The Burton Family
Since 1908, five generations of the Burton family have provided transportation needs and service to over 2 million families and households on Delmarva. Nobody can beat the Burton family in service to the community. Charles Burton will accept the recognition from Dr. Carson.
The Carey Family
This morning over 500 men and women woke up free of addiction thanks to the amazing work of Bob Carey, his family and the Teen Challenge Program. For the past 18 years Bob Carey has provided world-class leadership transforming Third and North Streets, formerly known as “crack alley,” to become healing and sobriety as the key activities at Third and North. Bob and Cristine Carey will accept the Cornerstone Family award from doctors Carson
The Christensen Family
Buzz and Cindy Christensen personify enthusiasm in helping others. Over the years the Christiansens have served on many boards, but no more significant than promoting Jesus Christ through the Walk to Emmaus program. They assist Dr. Carson by promoting American Cornerstone’s Little Patriots program in local schools.
The Clarke Family
Brian and Shorel have been active in MERIT for many years to help children be the best they can be. Brian has been helpful as an employee of Delmarva Power sponsoring the yearly engineering problem. Shorel has been a very active teacher and supplied snacks for each meeting.
The Conaway Family
The Conway family has built a successful construction business and Beth was an award-winning principal. She is now a very successful realtor in Delaware. Beth will accept the award.
The Dukes Family
The Dukes family has long upheld the values instilled by their father and grandfather, treating others with the same respect and fairness they would hope to receive themselves. From the beginning, Duke's Lumber Company has been guided by Christian principles, and those values continue to shape the way they do business today. For 25 years the Dukes family has volunteered their skills and talents in Jamaica bringing hope to homeless families. Dale was active in the Epworth Quartet, bringing Gospel music to Delaware. Dale and Dottie have three sons, Rusty and Marsha, Scott and Diana, and Tim and Dottie. They have 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
The Edwards Family
Bernice Edwards is a legend in Delaware bringing help for people who cannot help themselves through her efforts heading the First State Community Action Agency in Georgetown.
The Henderson Family
Dan is a Seaford Councilman and Vice-Mayor. Dan and Karen are very active in Mount Olivet Church and other community organizations. Dan has also been a judge in MERIT competitions. Dan is a natural community leader. Karen works in the Seaford School District.
The Herrera Family
Rob Herrera is transforming Seaford through his 9th Street Development Company’s revitalization of the Nylon Capital Shopping Center.
The Hutson Family
Skip has served as the director of Multicultural Affairs at Westchester University for 26 years. Yolanda, his wife, has been a teacher and counselor. Their daughter, Jere, holds a Masters of Child Development from the University of Pennsylvania. She was the valedictorian at Woodbridge High School and her college class. Jere was a MERIT student. The Hutsons have been very supportive in MERIT and educational endeavors.
The James Family
Jason L. James, Sr. serves as the Vice Mayor and 4th Ward City Councilman for the City of Milford. In this role he serves as the Chairperson of the Finance Committee, Chairperson of the Charter Review Committee and as a Member of the Public Safety Committee. The focus of his role as a city official is to improve the lives of the citizens of the city that he loves. Jason works in the private sector as the Corporate Controller for Burris Logistics where he has been employed for 30 years. Today, July 18, Burris Logistics celebrates its 100th anniversary. Jason serves on the Governors Prescription Opioid Settlement Distribution Commission, and on the Delaware League of Local Governments Executive Committee. He serves on the board of KSI (Kent & Sussex Industries), a member of its Finance Committee, and as an Advisory Board member of The House of David. Jason serves on the Advisory Board of the MBA program for Wilmington University, and on the Advisory Board of the Business Department for Delaware Technical and Community College. Jason’s education includes an MBA - Finance, MBA – General Studies, B.S. - Accounting and an A.A.S – Business Administration Accounting. He holds a CPA (Certificate in Public Accounting). Most important to Jason is the relationship with his family. He and his wife Pamela James, MSN, RN-BC celebrated their 36-wedding anniversary on June 17 of this year. Jason and Pam have three children and one grandson. Jason’s favorite scripture is Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” His favorite quote is from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “The time is always right to do what is right.”
The Kellam Family
Jonathan Kellam is a Laurel Councilman. He and his wife, Marian, have been married for 50 years.
Jonathan was recognized as Laurel’s Citizen of the Year for his decades of service. “I have to thank God for everything, especially for blessing me with a wife that worked with me all of these years, and a praying Mother. My wife has stood by me while I worked with worked with the Merit program for over 30 years, coaching high school basketball and track for over 35 years, volunteering with habitat for humanity, Laurel senior center, being on the Laurel town council for 12 years. I believe it was what my mother, Claretta, and her guidance that pushes me to try to help when I can. She taught me what it meant to model yourself after the very first volunteer, Jesus Christ, and always treat everyone with dignity and respect. The Kellams have four children, 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren
The Lay Family
If you live on Delmarva, you know “that voice” from radio and television as Jimmy Hoppa. He has been the host on several radio stations and television shows including WBOC’s Delmarva Life. He has served as emcee for many events on Delmarva. Carol is a teacher in the Seaford School District. Preston also serves as a Chaplain for the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department
The MacCoy Family
The MacCoy family spans five-generations in the Seaford community. After serving several years on Seaford City Council, Matt is our current Mayor. Matt and Sarah have seven children and are proud supporters of the City of Seaford.
The Marvel Family
Shane and Cassidy Marvel, with kids Mia and Milo, are lifelong residents of Seaford. They are the owners of Marvelous Produce, a produce farm operation in Seaford, established in 2013. Cassidy is a special education teacher at Sussex Technical High School. They volunteer in various local youth sports organizations such as the Seaford Parks and Recreation’s Little Wrestlers and the Nanticoke Little League.
The Megee Family
Terry Megee (1956-2023) and his wife Vanessa Megee were the heartbeat of a beloved Delaware family and deeply rooted pillars of the Georgetown community. Together they purchased Megee Motors, a family business, established in 1948, and expanded it into a multi-generational dealership that sells to three or four generations of families. Beyond the dealership’s walls, Terry and Vanessa led with big hearts, co-leading the “I Believe in Beebe” campaign that raised over $46 million to expand Beebe Healthcare, co-chairing a high-profile Jeep wrangler raffle benefiting the Tunnell Cancer, and volunteering tirelessly with Georgetown Boys & Girls Club and Little League. Their two children, Lindsay and Matt Megee, both trained in the family business. Terry was widely remembered as a compassionate leader known for his warm handshake, sharp memory, and his unwavering dedication to helping others, from painting the walls at the Boys & Girls Club to mentoring around the boardroom. Together, Terry and Vanessa created a legacy rooted in family, service, and community impact. Vanessa will be accepting the award from Dr. Carson.
The Richardson Family
Bryant & Carol are the former owners of Morning Star Publications, which they started in 1996.
Senator Bryant Richardson is a champion for families and a strong voice for the unborn in the Delaware Senate. Bryant and wife Carol attend Crossroad Community Church. They have three children. Leanne is a graduate of the University of Delaware. Paul is a graduate of Liberty University and Regent University. Daniel is a graduate of the University of Delaware. Bryant and Carol have five grandchildren, Hannah, Hughie, Henry, Luke and Annie. They also are long-time supporters of a child in Ethiopia through Childfund and of Delmarva Teen Challenge and the Delaware Family Policy Council.
The Sammons Family
The Sammons family has been part of the fabric of Sussex County, Delaware for generations, working as farmers, custodians and button-cutters in Milton. In 1972, Bill Sammons Jr., then a 15-year-old Milford High School freshman, returned from an event in Dallas, Texas, with a message his parents had never heard. He'd responded to an invitation from Billy Graham in the Cotton Bowl to follow Jesus and submit his life to Christ. Bill Sammons Sr. and his wife, Mary Jane, made a similar decision a year later, and the family began a two-generation journey that has impacted Sussex County and beyond. Bill Sr. left the farm to attend Bible college and became a Bible teacher and started Eagle's Nest Family Campground near Milton as a place of rest and restoration. A weekend church service for campers turned into Eagle's Nest Fellowship Church, once the largest church in Southern Delaware. Bill and Mary Jane opened a foster home near Milford and provided shelter and love to almost 50 teenagers who were runaways or experiencing difficulties at home and school. Pastor Bill launched Eagle's Nest Christian Academy, a daycare, early learning center and elementary school, and he was on the original board of directors and helped launch Delmarva Christian Schools.
Bill Jr. pursued a career in Journalism and worked at radio stations across the state, and eventually became a reporter and anchor at WBOC-TV, a CBS-affiliate in Salisbury, Maryland. He later started the agriculture marketing program for the State of Delaware, built and operated Delaware's first Christian radio station (The Light FM), produced a large Christian music festival called LambJam, drawing tens of thousands of people to Milton, started a youth sports program called First State BMX, which is now in its 29th year of continuous operation, and he and his son, Josh, operated Watermark Productions, a video production company in Milford. In 2010 he helped launch 88.7 The Bridge, a Christian radio station that has grown to five signals serving Delaware, Maryland, the eastern shore of Virginia and two signals in New Jersey. He wrote a book about his family's journey last year called After the Rooster Crows.
Pastor Bill and Mary Jane have gone on to their eternal reward in Heaven. Bill Jr. retired last year but continues to serve on the board of directors with The Bridge and is on the launch team with United Church, a ministry planning to start a new Sussex County campus in late fall. He lives in Long Neck with his wife, Julie, and daughter, Mary, a senior at Delmarva Christian High School.
The Simons Family
Dr. Richard Simons is a well respected Cardiologist in Seaford. Sharon has written a book journaling their process in adopting two boys under the age of 2 years old from Russia. One is now attending the Naval Academy and one is on the President's List in Charleston. The family is very community minded.
The Wilson Family
The Wilson family was born and raised on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Howard and Pansy Wilson were known for their community involvement. The Wilson sons, H.G., Earle, and David, followed in their parents’ lead by giving back to the community as much as possible. The Preston Automotive group, led by Dave Wilson Sr. and David Wilson Jr., strive to support many community projects not only with donations but also with their heart and their time modeling their theme, “Show the love daily.” Accepting for the Wilson family are H.G. And Earl Wilson, who will then join us for a fireside chat with Dr. Carson.