George “Russell” Edens
March 6, 1975 to October 2, 2005.
How do I begin? There’s so much I want to say. Russell is truly loved and is missed by all who knew him. He was a father, a husband, a son, a brother, a friend who touched all of our lives. He was wide open and lived each day to the fullest. He loved family, friends, laughter and most of all the time spent with his son and the anticipation of the birth of his second son.
Russell worked as a tire builder for a well known tire company. His favorite team was Duke. During basketball season everything was scheduled around their games. “Go Duke Blue Devils” is engraved on his marker at the cemetery. He also enjoyed roller skating, baseball, basketball, surfing, golf, fishing and music. His latest adventure was the four wheeler which sadly ended up taking his life.
I can never put into words the loss I felt that day. A pain I had never known before. There were never a mother and father who could have loved or been more proud than we were of Russell. I will never understand why the dear Lord called upon my son that day. It was time for him to go home, yet I wasn’t ready to let him go. Through all our tears and pain my family has found comfort in knowing Russell lives on. Someone is seeing and maybe for the first time through my son’s eyes and hopefully one day I too can see into my son’s eyes again.
Georgina B. Windham
Margaret Renee Peterson Edwards
Margaret Renee Peterson Edwards was born April 22, 1968 to Dianne George and Ross Peterson. Renee grew up in Robbinsville, a small town in the heart of the mountains of western North Carolina. She had an older brother, David Peterson. David was killed in a logging accident at age 24 and Dianne died unexpectedly at age 49. Although Renee had many heartaches in life, she still smiled and enjoyed the simple pleasures. She was married to Maurice Edwards for 21 years. They have two sons, Brandon, age 20 and Weston, age 16. Along with her husband and two sons, she loved the outdoors…her flower gardens, pets (which included any living creature!) and life itself. She liked cutting firewood and gathering moss to sell with Maurice, trapping with her son Weston, four wheeling and camping with her family. Renee had a caring heart and beautiful eyes. She tried to see the good in everyone. Renee never asked for much and always put others’ needs and wants in front of hers. Even in death, Renee was still giving. She left her family with many fond memories. Maurice not only lost his wife and the mother of their children, but he lost the best friend a man could ever hope for in life. Hopefully through Renee’s donations, someone else is seeing the world through her eyes, someone’s heart is beating with a new purpose in life and others might be benefiting in ways we will never know. Our hearts are broken, never to be whole again in this life, but we have the assurance of seeing her again. Renee was saved as a child and we know that she is absent from our lives, but is in the holy presence of God. We are sure that Renee’s desire would be for everyone to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and join her in heaven.
Sadly missed and in loving memory,
Maurice, Brandon, Weston and family
Joseph Ellis
Joey was born December 28, 1960. He was my Christmas baby. He learned to walk and talk early. He stopped talking at about two years. He was diagnosed with autism. At six he was admitted to the O’Berry Center, where he lived until his death at 44. Everyone at O’Berry loved Joey.
In the late 90’s, Joey started to call me Mama again.
Joey died of a seizure on May 27, 2005.
Andrew English
Andy found humor in just about everything, even when most people didn’t. He enjoyed laughing and making others laugh. Of the jobs that Andy held, he would always say that working with people with special needs was by far his favorite, whether it was people with mental illness, mental retardation, or just someone who was down on their luck. He enjoyed the way they viewed and enjoyed life without all the everyday concerns that the rest of us have. He admired and respected the people he worked with and would often talk about the obstacles they had to overcome.
In Andy’s spare time, he was an avid gardener. If he saw a shrub, plant, or flower that he was not familiar with, he would stop and inquire about the species and come back with a cutting of the plant, only to share it with others. It was not unusual for him to stop by dumpsters at K-Mart, Lowes, or other garden shops and rescue thrown away plants. Everyone who saw it admired his yard. He often volunteered to help others with planting or designing their own yards. At his funeral service the potted plants, flowers and shrubs that were used came from his yard. Everyone commented that it was a very special service that reflected Andy and his love.
Gregory Kelly Epperly
Greg, our son, was a kind and thoughtful person. He was very smart and loved doing and accomplishing anything that had to be done.
He served 17 years in the U.S. Army and served in Desert Storm and in other countries wherever he was needed by our country.
While in the Army, he completed two years of college. He retired as a First Class Sergeant, E7. His eyes were green, and he envisioned much more than we could ever see. He was 6’1” tall and handsome.
Being an organ donor only showed us what he became in life. We accepted him doing this with great pride.
He walked with a smile always and a greeting to everyone. Greg was always busy. He played football in elementary, middle and high schools. He joined the Boy Scouts and, at one time, he had two paper routes. One of his teachers in high school once told me, “Greg is one of the most unique boys she had ever taught and could do anything”. I will always remember this and will always be proud of him.
He was our son, a good brother to his sister, Beth, and he was also a good father to his three children, Kelly, Kyla and Katie, whom he loved dearly.
In sadness we will always be, but not in despair for as God has promised, we will meet again. Greg, we salute you for your life, and what you meant to your family and friends. Forever our love.
Joseph W. Ezzell
Joseph W. Ezzell was a very special man. He was a devoted Christian, father, husband, love of my life and a friend to many, many people. Joseph and I have been married almost 35 years. However, we were best friends many more years, having met in the sixth grade and become friends; on to high school sweethearts, later soul mates in marriage and parents to two wonderful Christian daughters and grandparents to one wonderful granddaughter. We enjoyed life together in many, many ways. He is missed. We all know we’ll see him again when God calls us home. Our faith together is great.
Below is a dedication written by one of Joseph’s friends and employees. We feel this tells a lot about a wonderful, loving man.
Just a Regular Old Joe
You’ve all heard the saying, it’s been said to and fro,
There’s nothing flashy about him, he’s just a “regular old Joe”.
When people really like you they always let you know,
And anyone who knew my friend will tell you they loved “Joe”.
He never put on airs, was comfortable in his skin,
But without a doubt his greatest trait is he was a true blue friend.
How many make a Hall of Fame and take it all in stride?
And never once did he proclaim his accomplishment with pride.
He always had a joke or smile
That made someone feel glad
And like his Biblical name describes,
To each life he did add.
He let his life
Tell the tale
And all who know him know,
There was nothing
That was “regular”
About our dear friend Joe.
Al Ganey – 2005
In Christian love and dedication to Joseph W. Ezzell
Christian, husband, father, friend, a wonderful man
A man who is greatly loved and missed!
Dixie B. Ezzell, Lisa Ezzell Pierce, Joanna Ezzell, Rebekah Ann Pierce
