The Onslow Civic Affairs Committee announced this week four area residents will be honored as part of the 2026 Fabric of Our Community awards.
The Fabric of Our Community award is rooted in the recognition of the profound impact of the Beirut bomb blast in 1983, which resulted in many area residents being killed or injured while deployed.
According to the Onslow Civic Affairs Committee, many believed the event tore the "fabric of our community."
Committee leaders added that their mission is to improve civic education and engagement in the county, and the Fabric of Our Community awards help more people understand the power of civic action.
Named to the class in 2026 are Greg Johnston, posthumously; Alfred L. Keys, posthumously; Leon "Ward" Sylvester III; and Earl Taylor.
Greg Johnston 
Johnston is remembered as an exceptional father, dedicated husband and passionate business operator. "Gone too soon" is frequently said in telling the story of his impact, committee leaders said.
Johnston lost his battle to cancer in 2011 at age 63.
A graduate of Jacksonville High School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he was drafted into the U.S. Army, and following service, returned to Jacksonville to utilize his business degree.
Johnston was encouraged to engage in local governance, initially being appointed to the Jacksonville Planning Board, where he served as chairman during the significant construction boom of the 1980s.
He was then elected to the Jacksonville City Council and was notably recognized for his dedication to acquiring the 300-acre site that is now the Jacksonville Commons.
Referred to as a statesman by his colleagues, former mayor George Jones described Johnston as fearless in his decision-making, exemplifying a profound commitment to Jacksonville that transcended political success.
Alfred Keys
Following his service in the U.S. Army and subsequent employment with General Motors as an industrial engineer, Keys served on at least seven local boards, commissions and committees, including the Onslow Civic Affairs Committee and the Sturgeon City Board of Directors.
He was also part of the founding group that started the Jacksonville-Onslow Crime Stoppers program.
At Sturgeon City, committee leaders say that Keys became an ambassador to tell the story of the New River's restoration and to challenge the city to create future stewards to avoid the problems that once caused havoc in the river.
He was also on a committee that reviewed assisted living facilities for seniors in the community.
Keys' military service included two tours in Vietnam, retiring as a lieutenant colonel after 22 years.
Committee leaders say his valuable insights were supported by his commitment to continuous learning, as evidenced by his bachelor's degree, his Master of Arts, and a second master's degree from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
Leon Sylvester
Sylvester is continuing his family's long-standing dedication to serving the Richlands and Onslow County communities, a legacy spanning more than 200 years.
As owner of the Richlands Piggly Wiggly and other stores, he exemplifies the benevolence of his parents by supporting community needs, committee leaders said.
His family's philanthropy notably emphasizes education, with Piggly Wiggly sponsoring an annual golf tournament for a scholarship at Coastal Carolina Community College for more than 30 years.
As a grocer, Sylvester has supported the community's well-being by providing food and donating supplies to hurricane-affected families, as well as supporting Onslow Christmas Cheer, which provides Christmas gifts and meals to people in need.
He is a lifelong member of the Richlands Methodist Church, and like his family before him, he supports the mission of the church and coordinated the donation of his family's 1860s homeplace to serve as the church parsonage, providing a home for the pastor and family.
As a husband, father of three, brother, uncle and son, committee leaders say Sylvester inherited a family legacy of community commitment, one he has shared and worked to instill in the next generation.
Earl Taylor
Taylor's impact on local youth spans 35 years of dedicated service in Onslow County Schools.
According to the Onslow Civic Affairs Committee, his career exemplifies significant commitment to the arts and leadership, having served as the band director at White Oak High School, where the Earl Taylor Performing Arts Center now bears his name, and as a district administrator for arts education and community affairs.
Even in retirement, Taylor continues to mentor students as an adjunct percussion instructor at Coastal Carolina Community College.
As a member of the Onslow County school board, he championed the development of a "quality school system" rather than a mere collection of individual schools, committee leaders say.
His focus was on the long-term success of students from diverse backgrounds, including military families and underserved populations.
Taylor's work led to his involvement with the North Carolina School Boards Association, where he gained insights into strategies to improve education.
An enduring source of inspiration and a dedicated volunteer within the community, Taylor remains a lifelong advocate for educational institutions and for the students who benefit from a high-quality education.
The honorees will be remembered at the United Way Golden Rule Lightkeepers and the Fabric of Our Community Luncheon at the Onslow County Government Center, 234 NW Corridor Blvd. in Jacksonville, at 11 a.m. on April 23.
Tickets can be purchased at https://www.uwonslow.org.