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The North Carolina Eye Bank takes great pride in our ability
to share the gift of sight with thousands of people every
year through corneal transplant, research and education. This
gift does not come without a price. We must remember that
for each grateful recipient of a transplanted cornea or medical
breakthrough achieved, there is a family who is struggling
with the loss of a loved one. These are the stories and remembrances
of their family members - and the faces of donation.
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The 2002 Faces of Donation
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Annette Jackson
My wife was a beautiful woman, someone who gave of herself
her entire life.
She embraced life for everything it had to offer.
As tragic as her death was, she wanted to continue giving,
right up to the end.
Her donation was a fitting way for her spirit to live
on - and for us to remember her unselfish, heartwarming,
and giving character.
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Frederick Jadick
Fred would have been so proud that his corneas
gave sight to two people! His eyes were the most beautiful
eyes in the world - a very light blue, like the sky on
a clear summer day before the sun gets too hot, or how
you would imagine the water looks surrounding a beautiful
tropical island. He had all kinds of expressions in his
eyes - the squinting eyes when he laughed, the inspecting
eyes that tried to size up people or situations, the disappointed
eyes and the sympathetic eyes that let us know he understood.
With his eyes, he always saw the best in everyone around
him.
Fred loved to fish, especially in the ocean. He would
stand there, looking out into the horizon, waiting to
feel the tug of a fish on the line. The last time he went
fishing, he caught a fish every time he cast his line,
and even caught two fish at one time!
He was a loving and generous husband, father, and friend.
He will be remembered for his intense loyalty to his family,
his kindness toward friends and coworkers, his tender
heart, and his firm belief in his salvation through Jesus
Christ. |
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Julius Norman Jennings
Julius Norman Jennings made his home in Murfreesboro,
NC. He loved the Virginia mountains and was a long time
resident of Weyers Cave, VA, where he found his final
resting place.
He was a little brother to a sister and brother, and
a big brother to a sister and brother, all of whom affectionately
called him Normie.
He was a favorite uncle to nieces and nephews who called
him Nor -Nor. He died on the same day as his beloved
and faithful dog, Sandy.
In addition to his sisters and brothers he leaves his
mother, Louise Futrell, and his father, Shelton M. Jennings.
"Life is short, the years rush past, a little
boy grows up so fast.
No longer is he at your side, his precious secrets to
confide.
The picture books are put away, there are no more games
to play.
No goodnight kiss, no prayers to hear - that all belongs
to yesteryear.
My hands once busy now lie still, the days are long
and hard to fill.
I wish I might go back and do the little things you
asked me to."
- Anonymous
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James Kristopher Jernigan
Even as a small boy, Kris loved big trucks. Every time
he would hear or see one, he would stand on tip toe and
say "look, big truck," his eyes wide open. Once
the truck was out of sight, he'd look so sad and say "big
truck gone bye bye."
As a sixteen year old high school junior, he was particularly
proud of his first car and job, and, of course, his sweetheart,
Andrea. Kris loved Christ and the youth department at
his church, his family, friends, and pet Chihuahua, Bandit.
He enjoyed Nascar, video games, music, hunting and laughter.
As evidenced at his funeral, he was loved by all ages,
races and cultures.
He was a truly loving son, grandson, and brother, and
is greatly missed.
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George Daniel Jessup
On February 13th of this year, I lost the other half
of myself. When I was a young girl, I prayed for a good
husband who would love and cherish me, and my prayers
were answered in this wonderful man, who was loved by
so many people.
We were married for thirty five years and were blessed
with three children. He lived to see (with those beautiful
light brown eyes) five beautiful grandchildren.
George was a minister of the Primitive Baptist faith,
and was the moderator of sixteen churches and the pastor
of two churches. He was very faithful in visiting the
sick, and ministering to the needs of the less fortunate,
whether it be by cutting wood or sharing his bountiful
gardens.
He was an avid outdoors man who loved to hunt and fish.
He was always looking for good hunting areas, or a newly
plowed field of creasy greens.
He could see so far with his beautiful eyes. That is
why I wanted to share them with someone else. He believed
you get your blessings by giving of yourself, so he
gave spiritually and naturally in life.
So - as a result of dying so young, his eyes will be
a testament of his love for his fellow man.
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| Marcus Andrew Jett
Our memories of our precious little boy are very few,
but we thank God for the time we spent with our little
one.
He was born February 8, 2002, was premature, and had
several health problems. From the outside, he looked
perfect - you wouldn't think something that looked so
perfect could be so messed up on the inside.
He passed away February 9, 2002. We only had about 27
hours to spend with him, but we knew there had to be
a reason for his being here. We believe his purpose
for being here was to help someone else.
We decided to donate his organs, whatever could be used.
He was so small they could only use his eyes and liver.
We had hoped that this might help someone else, and
when we got the letter that said our baby's eyes were
used to help someone it truly touched us, and brought
tears to our eyes.
We are just thankful that our son may have helped, and
touched someone else's life.
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Dorothy Johnson
When I come to the end of this life,
and the sun has set for me,
I want no rights in a gloom filled room -
why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little..but
not too long,
and not with your head bowed low;
remember the love that we all once
shared. Miss me, but let me go.
For this is the journey that we all
must take, and each must go alone.
It's all part of the Master's plan,
a step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart,
go to the friends we know, and bury
your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss me....but let me go.
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Donald (Donnie) Jones
The family was happy to know that by being an
organ donor, Donnie could help so many people.
The most important thing we remember about Donnie is his
laugh. It was very special.
Donnie had a daughter, Samantha, and a son, Benjamin.
He had three sisters, Patricia, Deborah, and Susan, and
he had two brothers, Richard and David. He was their hero.
We all had a special love for Donnie.
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Ruth Mary Kazan
Ruth was a woman who loved life, lived it to the fullest,
and dealt with it on her own terms. A new world opened
up for her when, as a junior in high school, she traveled
to Europe for an international music festival.
Upon graduating from high school, she attended American
University in Washington where she graduated with a degree
in International Economics. She was employed at the G.
A. O., the World Bank, and later, upon returning from
a brief move to Peru, offered her services as a private
computer consultant.
Ruth loved music, modern dance, yoga, and was fascinated
with learning new things. Whatever piqued her interest
became an adventure in learning and understanding.
She also enjoyed traveling, both in this country and abroad,
making numerous trips to Europe, and visited most of the
countries in South America, while living in Peru.
When Ruth became sick with Multiple Sclerosis at age thirty
seven, she had already done more, seen more, and experienced
more than most other people at that age.
She may be gone from us, but Ruth's memory lives on in
our minds and our hearts. |
| Mark Daniel Keffer
Not
only was Daniel my son, he was my best friend. Yes,
he wasn't perfect, but then neither are any of us.
Daniel was a child of our Heavenly Father that made
each person's life a much better place to live. He could
make you laugh when you didn't feel like it, or hug
you and make it better.
Daniel always looked on the bright side of things, and
worried about the people he loved when he couldn't change
things for them.
Daniel was a miracle child. I was never supposed to
have any children. Daniel reminded me of "Daniel
in the Lion's Den" spiritually, but oh, so gentle
and loving.
He was always smiling and never complained, but could
be firm and stood his own ground when necessary.
We had a bond stronger than Super Glue, and a love that
extends throughout eternity
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Inez M. Kirkman
Inez Kirkman was a very compassionate person. Even though
she was shy, she loved people, especially children. She
was an active worker in her church, and a very strong
Christian lady, and, therefore, strict in parenting -
for which my brother and I are very grateful. She was
a good example to all.
Mother and father celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary
last December. Her family was everything to her, especially
her grandchildren.
She had beautiful, big brown eyes, and she had a way of
letting you know what she meant or wanted by just looking
at you. We're sure this would be her wish, to share, so
others could see.
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Edward Kloster
My father's eyes first opened and beheld the world
on September 27, 1947. They saw his parents and an older
sister. Later, his eyes would see two younger sisters.
My father's eyes saw the place of his childhood, Chicago.
My fathers eyes saw the place of his young adulthood,
Christian Brothers College, Memphis.
There they beheld his true love, Sharyn, my mother.
There they beheld their first child, premature, mortally
fragile, Kim. There they beheld their second child,
me.
My father's eyes watched his mother succumb to cancer.
My father's eyes looked upon his work with IBM, and
would do so for thirty-two years.
My father's eyes saw the place of my childhood, Florida.
There they beheld the birth of a son, Brian. There they
watched us grow. There they glowed with pride as we
graduated from high school, and as he himself crossed
a stage with a Master's degree from the University of
Miami.
My father's eyes saw his children graduate from college.
My father's eyes saw his children marry. My father's
eyes saw three grandsons.
My father's eyes frequently looked through a camera
at flowers and waterfalls, as often as people.
My father's eyes watched baseball, the St Louis Cardinals.
My father's eyes took in the sights of England and Scotland,
Tahiti and the Caribbean, Turkey, Italy, and Greece,
Australia and Japan.
My father's eyes saw Alaska, Hawaii, and most of the
continental United States.
My father's eyes looked upon his family with love. My
father's eyes were the windows to the soul of a man
of quiet faith in God. They were windows to a man of
integrity and great kindness.
They were windows to a man of wit, to a man who was
a rock for his family.
My father's eyes were full of confidence and determination
early in his battle with cancer. They were filled with
pain and fatigue during chemotherapy and radiation.
My father's eyes reflected sorrow and disbelief when
he learned the cancer had spread.
On August 31, 2002, my father's eyes closed forever.
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Ronald Knight
What can I say about this wonderful man, Ronald Knight?
We shared so many wonderful times and did so many wonderful
things together for 21 years. He was my friend, my companion,
my love; most of all, we shared our love for God together.
He gave of himself to all he came in contact with. I will
miss him and love him always, because he was the only
person in all my life that let me be me. He was a wonderful
soul mate. i have truly been blessed.
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Eric George "Bubba" Lackey
Not too many people go through life with the nickname
of Bubba. It is a name you have to live up to. Those few
who are selected with the Bubba nickname are known to
be kindhearted, loyal, hardworking, and fun-loving. But
most of all, Bubba's are well loved by everyone. Would
you agree that "our Bubba" fits that description?
Even though his death was unexpected and tragic, he will
reside forever in our hearts. In loving memory of Eric,
we should treat everyone as if they were a a "Bubba."
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Albert "Chuck" Lamm
Albert "Chuck" Lamm was a very quiet person.
We were married for 49 years. Chuck was a good husband,
and father of three children.
He was a hard worker; he drove a long distance truck
for 44 years, and loved every minute of it.
He was liked by everyone, and is missed by friends
and family.
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David Layton
David and I were married for over twenty seven years and
he was the love of my life.
We had no children, but I had four by my first marriage.
David loved all of my grandchildren and loved taking
them to the beach and on other activities.
He was a devout Christian and very active in his church
work.
I miss him very much, but wouldn't want him to come
back to suffer any more.
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Brian Lewis
Brian has left us with many wonderful memories
of twenty years, that we'll cherish our lifetime. All
the love and respect that he had for all of his family,
friends, and coworkers, showed what a wonderful young
man he really was.
He enjoyed his life to the fullest. He loved his church,
family, school, job, and spending time with his friends.
He also enjoyed riding his motorcycle, and driving his
Jeep.
Brian enjoyed going on trips with his family and friends,
and coming home for home cooked meals, and attending services
at Warrensville Baptist Church.
Knowing we'll see him again is what keeps us going. |
| Levon "Jackie" Liles
A man of many words - husband, father, grandfather,
brother, uncle, friend.
Cool, laid back, sexy, handsome, strong, sensitive,
caring. Giving, quiet, hard working, respectful. Trusting,
generous, stubborn, wise, brave, values. Great cook.
You saw life through our children's eyes - now someone
sees life through yours.
Our lives are forever changed, but you will never be
forgotten.
We all miss you.
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George Harold Linton
George Harold Linton, son of Myrtle and Frank
Linton, had five brothers - Ralph, Dewey, David, Marvin,
and Mickey, one sister, Mary, and two half-brothers, Hubert
and Cleveland Jones.
He married Deborah Weatherington on August 23, 1968, and
was the father of one son, John Thomas Linton, and had
one grandson, Andrew, who was the apple of his eye.
George was a generous person in life and death. He was
one of a kind and many people considered themselves lucky
for having met him. he is greatly missed by his family,
friends and coworkers, and even though he has left us
in body, he is still in our hearts.
He was a spontaneous, happy go lucky person who made a
difference in the lives of many people. George would take
people under his wing and help them until they could fly
solo. If he knew of a need a person had, he would help,
no questions asked.
He had faith each day would take care of itself, and he
took great care of the people who were closest to him.
He now watches over his family, even though he is not
here in body. His ashes are home, the place he loved best,
and we, his family, feel blessed to have had him in our
lives for the short time he was here on earth.
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Gwyn Dowell Long
Gwyn was born in Mt Airy NC, and spent her
early life there. She graduated valedictorian of the
1983 class of North Surry High School, and went on to
graduate with honors from Wake Forest University with
a BS in Biology and
Chemistry. Gwyn went on to enjoy a very successful career
with Pfizer Pharmaceuticals.
Gwyn had a love and talent for dance. Not only intelligent
and a talented dancer, she was extremely beautiful as
well. She held several beauty pageant titles including
Tri-County Junior Miss, Miss Mount Airy, Miss North
Carolina-US Teen, 2nd runner up Miss US Teen.
Of all her accomplishments, she was most proud of her
family. She had three beautiful children; Zach, 10,
Celeste, 7, and Victoria, 5. All three children have
some of their mother's outstanding traits. Zach is athletic
and compet-
itive. Celeste is intelligent and energetic. Victoria
is beautiful and a talented dancer.
Gwyn was as true Southern Belle, a wonderful Christian
Mother, and a loving wife. She was a gorgeous lady with
the most beautiful blue eyes. I will love her forever.
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Jack B. Lovelace
Who was Benny's friend? Everyone with whom he came into
contact. He believed there was a time and a season for
everything. To him it was always time to be a friend.
He considered everyone a companion, and was tickled when
others considered him theirs.
He modeled his life after his heavenly Father in all aspects.
Because of this ethic, he made friends with people no
one else could befriend. He went to great lengths to make
sure people knew he cared.
Benny was a carpenter by trade. He believed himself to
be a good one, passing through this life to serve the
greater carpenter, Jesus Christ. He was a very special
person, and will forever be remembered by his family and
friends.
How special was he and just how far did he go to associate
himself with others? Even after death, through being an
organ donor, he continues to make a difference in people's
lives, and make friends. |
Alison Luna
Alison Marie Luna (Ally Cat) was a very sweet
and caring young lady with a heart of gold. She was so
easy to love. She passed away while in class from sudden
cardiac arrest. She was a healthy young lady, so it was
a shock to us all. When we were cleaning out her locker,
we found among her papers the following poem she had written.
If the World Shall End
If the world shall end today, would we die going to
hell or heaven?
If the world shall end today, does everyone's dreams
die too?
If the world shall end today, do the problems we have
go away?
If the world shall end today, does our happiness go
with us, or die too?
If the world shall end today, are we non graduates?
If the world shall end today, what happens to our lives
when we go away?
And if the world doesn't end today, we go on living
our lives as it is today.
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Cynthia Lyerly
I would like to tell you what a special, wonderful
friend Cynthia Lyerly was. Next to my parents, Cynthia
was the greatest person to have ever come into my life
and be my very best friend for over 38 years.
We met at college in Charlotte, NC, in 1964, and over
the next 38 years we had more fun than I can ever say.
Even though she was from the South and I was from the
North, we had more in common than we could ever have
imagined. Our special love was for all the dogs we had
over the years - 8 Airedales, 1 Wire Fox Terrier, and
our "theater star" Sandy (he was in the Annie
play in our hometown).
Our next favorite animals were pigs! We collected all
kinds of pig things, but our most special collection
is all the pig cookie jars we acquired from our travels.
I think Cynthia's most special gift was her devotion
to her family. She loved her mother and father unconditionally.
She was also a friend to everyone she met.
She worked in a wellness center where she formed a bond
with all sorts of people - young, old, healthy, and
not so healthy. She had a great compassion for all those
she met, no matter what their situation was.
Cynthia's greatest past time was reading, and because
of this, it was her decision that when she passed away,
her eyes (her beautiful eyes) be sent on to someone
else to use, and hopefully, give them the gift of sight,
and perhaps the chance to do what she loved to do so
much - read.
I will always remember Cynthia for the very special
person and wonderful friend she was to me.
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