How often have I heard, deaths come in threes. Well, two of my favorite people ‘passed away’ this week…Hope there is not a third, soon!
Shared a little about Edgar Evans yesterday, and about his contributions to the area. Did not tell you the numerous ways he made life a little more manageable when I was a youngster in Bladenboro and he and Jabe Frink (J&E Texaco) assisted so many, including me…examples, I could purchased gas on a credit, tires the same way and auto repairs when needed, and pay when I received my pay from JZ and Sally Hinson (Hinson’s Supermarket), two more great supporters, now deceased.
Moved to Elizabethtown in the early 60s and knew no one….wanted to work at the radio station and did, eventually with assistance from Mr. Chatham Clark who helped me ‘get a job’ at Elizabethtown Mfg company while waiting for my ‘dream job’ at WBLA…
Soon after moving to the county seat, I gained two new supporters, Bobby Simmons and David Shaw who ‘attempted to make my load lighter’ by supporting me, guiding many of my efforts and opening doors for more opportunities, as well as some others, later.
Bobby Simmons ‘passed away’ Wednesday night and since that time I have remembered so many things he has done for this community, town and county, and the church we both attend (Wesley’s Chapel UMC), and on numerous occasions he allowed me to ‘tag along’.
I could tell you about his involvement in recruiting a new doctor (Dr. Phillips), a leader in a community effort to build a doctor’s office, selling stock at $10 a share, or about his support of the original 25 members of the Elizabethtown Rescue Squad, his support of the church we attended, faithfully over the past many years and how he made wood products for the ladies ‘Fall Bazaar’. About his efforts to recruit (bad word in the Methodist Church) Rev. Eckie Lancaster to the area, with the assistance of the District Superintendent. Just a few of his many efforts to make the area a better place to live, work and play, and on those and numerous other efforts, again, he allowed me to ‘tag’ along.
And, a better family man I never knew…..
He, along with Paul (Mutt) Gooden, developed Happy Valley subdivision and without his encouragement and assistance, my family would have likely never been residents of the area for the past 50-plus years. I could talk all day long about how he made the move possible, for me, my bride and our family…..and for many others and so few are aware of ….
Today, we will remember him and the contributions he made over the years, with a funeral service at Wesley’s Chapel UMC at 11 AM.
Our condolences to the family, thanks for sharing….
A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way…
The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves…
People ask the difference between a leader and a boss…A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, and a little less than his share of the credit…..
robert g hester
rgh4612@gmail.com
910-876-2322
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