For the sixth year, along with a host of volunteers, Thomas and Jodie Barrett will stage the Community Prayer Tree beside their home at 787 Rivers Edge Parkway in Roanoke Rapids.  Two Community nights are planned for December 9 and 23 to be held at 7 p.m.

This event, and the Prayer Tree, is in memory of Ryan Barrett, George Cesil, and James "Bo" Ussery. The three linemen lost their lives after they were struck by an impaired driver while helping to restore power in Florida in the aftermath of 2018’s Hurricane Michael.

“The Community Prayer Tree has become an anticipated place for prayer, fellowship, and song during the month of December,” Jodie said. 

Placed beside the freshly cut tree is a mailbox with tags, protective sleeves, and pens, allowing visitors to write a prayer request and place it on the tree. 

Benches are present so that those stopping by may sit for a while and pray for their request and the others that have been placed on the tree.

“Each year our goal is to provide a special place for our community to gather and pray for one another,” Jodie said. “Our family has found healing, hope, and joy as we come together, joining hands to pray and remember others.”  

As a special way to help the community remember their loved ones passed on, wooden ornaments hand-lettered by local artist Beth Bierbauer will be placed on the tree. 

Anyone wishing to have a memory ornament placed can send a name and dates of birth/death to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

There is no charge for the memory ornament to be created and placed. Deadline to submit a name is December 16.

“The Barretts would like to offer a special thank you to Steve Milligan for donating the Community Prayer Tree, Ben’s Creek Nursery and Hope for Hardy for providing refreshments, First Christian Church for providing sound and song, as well as the community for making this a special time during the Christmas season.”