By Dawn Teer / Contributing Writer
This past Saturday I attended a funeral for a longtime friend of mine. Several years ago, he was diagnosed with throat cancer. He fought valiantly, but last Thursday, he lost the battle with cancer. While my heart breaks for his son, and his mother, I have peace that he is with Jesus.
While he was in the hospital having surgery a couple years ago, the pastor of Rowe’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Humnoke led him in the prayer of salvation.
During the service on Saturday, the pastor spoke of that day. He said he had no doubt of his salvation. My friend begged Jesus to forgive him of his sins and come into his heart.
The pastor went on to say how he had gotten to know him over the last couple of years and while my friend was not a perfect man, he was a fine man. What a true statement. I had known this friend for
over 25 years, I can say I have seen him at his worst, at his lowest emotionally.
I have also seen the best of him many, many times. How he loved his son and had changed much about his life
because of him. I’m thankful to have known him. He was the kind of person who would do anything for you.
When I moved away to Heber Springs, whenever I would come home to visit I would stop and see him. Sometimes I could visit for a long time, sometimes just a few minutes. I would always
make a point to see him though. Unfortunately, thanks to the pandemic, I had not seen him since the middle of February.
I had talked to him a couple times on the phone, which wasn’t
always easy due to his throat issues. Oddly enough, the last time I talked with him a few weeks ago, I could understand everything he said. During our conversation, we shared how much we
cared about each other and had a few laughs about some of the crazy things we had done together.
I used to tease him that I was going to write a book about our hijinks and title it, “My life as the secretary of the Carrtel.”
I may do that someday. It will be a work of fiction, inspired by real
events. So, if you ever see that book at the bookstore, pick it up. I can guarantee it’ll make you laugh and smile.
One of his favorite phrases, and his voicemail message, was, “Remember to smile. The world’s not a bad place, it’s just all the bad people in it. Copy?” That is true in today’s world.
He always made me smile and I like to think I made him smile as well
While my heart breaks and I will miss him so, I can be at peace because I know he is no longer suffering and I know he is with Jesus.
Rest in love my friend RC.
Until next time…
Such a great homage to a great man. I have nothing but wonderful memorys of our times together.