• Sunday before last was a day of both happiness and sorrow at Angel Grove Church:• We were very happy to welcome our new member, Donna Goray. We were also happy to be introduced to our new, interim youth minister, Vista McDuffie. You can imagine our surprise when we learned on Monday morning that he had been recalled to active duty and will be leaving Thursday of this week.
• We were saddened that the day of departure from our church finally arrived for Bill and Pat Miller who moved to Calera Monday before last. Bill and Pat have been residents of the community and members of the church for 32 years. During those years they served in just about every capacity one can serve in a church. They were always willing and faithful to do what was asked of them. Our pastor, Dr. Stan Broom, presented the couple with a beautiful, large, crystal bowl as a token of our love for them. Tears were flowing as they each told of their love for Angel Grove and what the church had meant to them and their family. Brother Eugene Burgess, former pastor of Angel Grove, surprised the Millers when he arrived to attend church with them. He also spoke at the close of the service, relating several events involving Bill and Pat and honoring their contributions to the community and church. The congregation enjoyed a farewell fellowship meal with Bill and Pat in the church fellowship hall on Sunday night after church. They are going to be missed so very much.
• Lillie Jackson recently suffered a severe laceration to her hand while she was putting knives away. Unknown to her, one knife was stuck in the drawer with the blade end facing outward and she shoved it into her hand between two fingers as she attempted to toss the knives into the drawer. This required a trip to the emergency room and several stitches, but you can’t keep Lillie down, she just returned from an enjoyable visit with her son and his family in Dalton, Ga.
• We enjoyed a trip to Ann Arbor, Mich., the first weekend in August. There may be some other place in this country that is more restful and beautiful than the historical, old farm where we gather for our family reunion every other year, but I do not know where it is. We have been there many times over the past 20 years and have never had a day that was not blessed with sunshine and a cool breeze for the outdoor affair.
• Mary and Jim Hyde recently spent a weekend in Gatlinburg where Mary said the traffic was bumper-to-bumper, which resulted in them doing more “people watching” than anything else.
• I would like to convey our sincere sympathy to the Smallwood family in the recent passing of Olen. Olen was a member of our very special Cedar Springs School family where friendships were made and bonded for life. Olen always seemed to be in a perpetual good mood. He was always laughing, and, of course his skill on the basketball court is still remembered. He made us proud. Thanks Olen.
• Angel’s JOY group went to Catfish Cabin in Albertville for lunch recently. Those enjoying the outing were Anita Burns, Bernard Boozer, Myris and Grover Prickett, Wanda Chastain, Tommy and Carolyn Headrick, Frances Prickett, Wylodene Hethcox, Evelyn Lloyd, Alvin and Nan Stephenson, Robye Robertson, Brenda Angel, Randy O’Donnell, Dr. Stan Broom, Lillie Jackson and Mike and Melda Witherby. Robert Angel, Myris Prickett’s son, came from nearby Arab to have lunch with us.
• Heather Dempsey was honored with a baby shower in the church fellowship hall on Sunday afternoon. She received so many beautiful little pink outfits for the little girl whose arrival is greatly anticipated.
• Our sympathy to the Woodall family in the death of Tommy. Another one of the Cedar Springs family is gone so soon. Tommy was a very special person who will be missed by all who knew him.
