Wilson Chef Cooking Up Scholarship In Memory Of Flood Victims

Five-year-old Sheka Vines, her mother, maternal grandparents and two children from their neighborhood were among 10 people killed while trying to escape Floyd's flooding.

"On the way out, they hit a car that the water had covered up in the highway. It flipped the boat over and all 10 people that were on the boat just went every which way," said J.P. Vines, Sheka's paternal grandfather.

Two years later, Vines is creating a scholarship to honor them.

"I don't want anyone to forget. This is why we're starting this scholarship this year, hopefully for Edgecombe, Nash and Wilson counties," he said.

Vines hopes to raise enough money to help send three children to college. The professional chef is planning to raise money during a banquet this weekend that is open to the public.

If things go well, Vines said the scholarships and the banquet will become an annual tradition.

"We don't want to say this was a tragedy. We want to be a help to somebody. By losing my grandbaby, I want to be a sunshine, want to be a light, to some child down the road," said Vines.

The banquet takes place Saturday, Nov. 17 at the Wilson Recreation Center on Raleigh Road. The dinner starts at 6 p.m.Tickets are $20 per person.

Vines said that Rep. Eva Clayton and boxer James "Bonecrusher" Smith are scheduled to attend.