Rebecca
Adkins
I know a woman of strength
and beauty. I have watched her for years. She is my mother.
This is the inscription on the last birthday card I sent my mother.
During the arduous process of going through my mother’s things upon
her passing, I found it, and through my tears I smiled. There upon the envelope
were the words “Postage due 12 cents.” I thought to myself, here
I am a grown woman who works, has means, and yet I fumbled to get my mother’s
card to her on time, and not only that, she had to pay to pick it up! Never
once did she mention that to me. She just smiled her brilliant smile and
told me how much it meant to her. That wasn’t her just on that day – that
was my mother every day of her life.
A widow at 28, she never lived nor had a “glamorous” life.
At 28 she took on the task of raising three children
to the best of her ability,
The last year of her life was hard, to say the least, but her resilience always
showed through as she went about doing what she loved most, helping others.
Whether it was in a caregiver capacity, or taking care of the children
she adored at her church, this is where she shone. I remember a nickname
she had many years ago – “Twinkle Toes”. That name
will always fit.
As my sister, brother, and I go about our lives without her, we are comforted
because although she is not here with us in body, she will always be in spirit.
Especially so knowing she has given the gift of sight.
May the recipients see the world as she did!
Here’s to our mother, you’ll forever reside in our hearts and
we treasure every memory of you.
Elaine
A. Alano
What statement best describes
Elaine Alano? Elaine’s priorities centered on love of God, love
of family, and love of others. She lived a God centered life. If God
said it, she believed it and that settled it. The family that loved each
other would weather any storm. Finally, concern for others without action
was not really concern at all.
Elaine was a giving person. She gave of her time, her resources
and her self. She would often say, “God gave me the gift of helping. I will not waste
it by helping no one.” She raised two beautiful children who both
are successful in life, and, more importantly, are focused on Jesus.
Do you know what UNC’s Medical Staff remembered most about Elaine? Just
moments prior to her leaving this life, I was told by one of her attending
physicians “whether Elaine was having a good or bad day (and there were
plenty of bad days), whether she was comfortable or in pain, whether she was
alert or semi-conscious, she could be heard saying God is good – I’m
going to see my Jesus.”
Elaine was always so good at saying goodbye. I remember as if it
were yesterday bending down to give my love a farewell kiss. As
our lips touched, she breathed her last. That angel she saw escorted
her to the throne of God. She indeed fought the good fight, she
ran the race, and she won the prize, the crown of righteousness
we are all promised, if we only believe.
In the end Elaine’s spirit would be taken to Heaven’s gates, her remains would be interred, but her eyes would be used to help provide sight to the less fortunate, so they, too, might see the wonders of life.
Samuel J. Alano, husband
Charles Jeffrey (Jeff) Allen
Charles Jeffrey Allen (Jeff to those who knew and loved him) was a son, brother, uncle, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend. He was intelligent, witty, an athlete and an attorney. This picture shows him with his niece, Cortney, reading Twas the Night Before Christmas from a very small book. As you can see, she didn’t care – she was comfortable in Uncle Jeff’s lap, watching and listening, as he lovingly read to her before Santa made his appearance.
Jeff graduated from Ohio University cum laude, and from Capital Law School in Columbus, Ohio. He passed the Ohio Bar in the upper percentage of applicants and was an attorney with a young law firm in Columbus where he garnered the admiration of his peers, the judges and courtroom personnel. The overwhelming message several judges sent the family following Jeff’s memorial was that he loved his work, and always had a smile on his face, and a kind word for everyone, from the janitors to the judges.
He was uncle to Cortney, Avery and Ellie. He never met Ellie, as she was born only three weeks before his death, but Jeff loved his nieces and was proud of them and their parents, his sister Tracey, and her husband T. J.
Jeff was independent, strong willed, always wanting things to go his way. And until the end, he did just that – he took his life into his own hands and lived the way he wanted – he did it his way. And he died his way, just minutes before we arrived at the hospital. His way – that is the way Jeff lived his life!
We miss him terribly, and think of him daily. However, we find great comfort that he is now with the Lord, and that someone sees because of his gift. We have the highest admiration of him for desiring to be an organ donor, and pray that more people will follow his example, and give the gift of life and sight. I know we will!
May God bless the person(s) who received Jeff’s corneas as they live a life with sight due to the loving, caring nature of our son, Jeff, who did it all his way!
Larry and Phyllis Allen
Michael Joe Allen
Michael Joe Allen was born in Bluefield WV on 1/1/57, to Joe and Muriel Allen. At an early age his parents knew that he was going to be a special individual, because of his combo traits of humor and intelligence. Upon his graduation from Matoka High School he had great expectations. He always set his goals high and succeeded greatly accomplishing them. He went on to get a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering from Bluefield State University. It was in high school that he met the first love of his life, Debbie Hamm. They married shortly after her graduation and were married for a little over 22 years with two beautiful children, Contessa and Jared. She succumbed to a battle with colon cancer. Michael stood by his wife faithfully, another wonderful trait he possessed. His charm and faith is what he is remembered for the most. Michael had a presence about him that made people feel comfortable and at ease. His caring demeanor was known and experienced by all his colleagues when any request was made of him. He was always there to help anyone in need.
On 7/18/03 I moved next door to Michael, to live with a friend until I found a place in the area. On 10/11/03, after dating for only three months, we knew that we were soul mates. We had fallen deeply in love. We had a beautiful ceremony in Pigeon Forge, TN. It is a day I will never forget. The wedding party was our close and dear friends, the Kunde’s, and the guests were our parents. Michael was so overwhelmed with joy that day, that tears filled his eyes and his comment was “God is too good to me, He gave me two soul mates, He is too good to me.” At this point I started crying. Shortly after our marriage on 11/2/03, Michael left to take our granddaughters back home. He and my daughter had a wreck. He sacrificed his life to save my daughter’s by turning the vehicle and taking on the full force of the impact. This was truly what my husband was all about, a self-sacrificing man that gave his life for his little princess. I have two children with major kidney problems, who someday will be faced with the prospect of having kidney transplants. When faced with the decision to donate, all I can say is that Michael would not have had it any other way. By the loss of one life, he and I have been able to save many more.
Cassandra Ellis Allen
Mary Ashburn
This is a photo of our mother and father. He had a heart transplant, and this is what inspired her to donate her eyes. She felt this would be a way she could help someone else – that was one of her caring ways.Mother loved her family and friends, and most of all loved her Lord, Jesus Christ. She always had a good outlook on life, even though she had a lot of heartaches, pain and suffering.She never turned her back on anyone for anything. Her granddaughter was her pride and joy.One of her last requests was that her granddaughter be brought up in the way she should go –" God's way."
Her sons, Rick, Eddie, and Craig Ashburn
M. L. (Gabe) Austell
M. L. (Gabe) Austell, native of Blacksburg, S.C. died unexpectedly at his home in Kernersville, N.C. on April 29, 2003. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth Williams Austell and four sons, Larry and wife Kay of Kernersville, Steven and wife Carole of Germantown TN, David and wife Brenda of Clover, S.C. and Michael and wife Lisa of Matthews, N.C. He was the proud “Popie Gabe” or “Papason” of 10 grandchildren. He was with 6 of his grandsons when they caught their first fish, and he also taught all of them to ride a bicycle.
Gabe was very proud to have served his country in WW II. He was in the Navy and served for a time in Guam. He was a member of the Order of Free Masonry for 54 years. An active member of First Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, he served as a deacon and in many other capacities over the years. He was a graduate and Distinguished Alumni of Gardner-Webb Junior College, and a graduate of Appalachian State University. His favorite professional work was as a teacher and football coach at the Oxford Orphanage, and later was Superintendent there. He also was a District Manager with the Ralston Purina Company and Assistant General Sales Manager with Pilot Freight Carriers.
Two members of his former football team gave his eulogy, and six of them served as pallbearers at his funeral. Being a heart patient, Gabe knew his days were limited and had pre-arranged his funeral. Those who served remarked that he had “coached his own funeral.”
Gabe will be remembered for his unquenchable enthusiasm, wonderful sense of humor, and positive, can do attitude.
