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An Oconee Christmas is a light-hearted look at The Night Before Christmas with a German Santa (in honor of Walhalla) pulled by eight Clemson Tigers instead of reindeer. Children 2 to 92 will love this one! Read More…
I love this time of year and the panic that envelops the grocery stores when snow or ice is forecast. Sometimes even the mention of a snow flurry clears the bread shelves. In my growing up years I lived in Winston-Salem and we had some great snowfalls. Read More→
Baseball season isn’t just the beginning of a wonderful game for me. Baseball held me close to my dad. Daddy was a huge baseball fan and I wanted to be just like him. It’s true that I have wonderful memories of my dad playing in my hometown of Winston-Salem. But one of the memories I reach back for is one of a nine year old girl from North Carolina and her dad traveling the subway to the old Yankee Stadium. The train clacked over the wooden trestle as it burst out of the tunnel. It was an August day and I was with my best ‘fella’, my dad. Read More→
The music rises to staccato pace as arms circle the air, a high leg kick brings the first movement to life. Eyes stare, a back turns sideways. Arms rise in spherical movement; feet toe the ivory line, a powdered ballet. Read More→
St. John’s Lutheran Church
Walhalla, South Carolina
February 2, 1996
The words of the following eulogy are from Stephen Massey’s wife Ann. At the end of her
comments the family’s close friend Luther Gaillard shares his thoughts:
Steve Massey has fought a war with his body since March 19, 1985 when he was
diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Two years before that time we knew something
was wrong within his body. Even though his mind was clear and quick, his body did not have
the same strength. Steve loved walking in the woods, campfires and hunting deer and
bear. He was the comic of the Commercial Marketing Department in Greenville. He
was a dedicated employee who, at one point, came in first on the Duke Power system
in a competitive marketing campaign. Read More→
As Steve debilitated further he became bedridden. Lack of mobility enhanced blood clot production in his body. One of the clots passed through his lungs. He lingered between life and death in the hospital for thirty-six hours before his condition stabilized. Read More→
The onset of a chronic disease tears at the fiber of a family. Steve had always been the principal breadwinner. We were forced to trade places, and I wasn’t prepared to enter the corporate world. Before marriage, I had dropped out of three colleges. Steve’s salary was sufficient for me to stay home with our children. Now, the hard boot of MS was kicking me back to school. Read More→
In the post entitled, “The Invader” my husband, Steve Massey was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. The Steve Series is continued this week:*
Steve sat across from the doctor’s desk in a return visit after his diagnosis was made.
“Dr. Riley,* I’m falling when I walk into the businesses I call on in my job. I have to stop when I’m driving, because I get so tired.”
“You’ll just have to pace yourself and work out your problems with your employer. You can still work,” the doctor insisted.
His inability to complete job related math calculations spurred Steve to take action even without a doctor’s letter. We began our quest for disability payments, fighting the system at every turn. Read More→
Balloon Launch for Bill's Celebration of Life
Our Greatest Memories of Papa Bill/Granddaddy
Written by the six grandchildren for the back of the service bulletin, February 8, 2011:
“Playing golf with Papa Bill at Edisto Beach”–Stephen McMann (14)
“I enjoyed our walks on the Leisure Trail I will always remember our long walks and talks.”–Joy McMann (12)
“I love him very much. He gave me all his love. When I came to visit I always had a great time. Even though he’s gone, I will always have him in my heart.” — Emily Coogler (10)
“I remember the most, the big hugs I gave him before I left his house.” –Faith McMann (9)
” I loved playing golf and going to “Skins” with Grandaddy. I love him.”– Benjamin Coogler (8)
“He was a wonderful person. He loved us so much. He lived as long as he could. I love him. He loved his wife and kids.” --Sara Coogler (5) Read More→
These remarks were read by Rick Coogler and echoed his thoughts as well as those of his brothers, William W. Coogler III, and Tony Coogler:
“Our Dad was a loving, intelligent, simple, complicated, respectful, efficient, and humble man.
He had high expectations for himself and those around him and to tell the truth, as his son, that made life a little tough at times. He taught us by example, to accept all people. Read More→
The following remarks were from the Celebration Of Life we had for Bill, February 8, 2011:
Bill Coogler was tenderly tough: he gave me ‘Month a versary flowers the 26th’ of every month. He loved all 6 grandchildren, five children,their spouses, and delighted in their accomplishments. We danced to shag tunes in the kitchen, den, dance club, cruises, and parties. We enjoyed road-trips that looped the country from Florida to Arizona and cruises to Hawaii and Alaska. We danced on cruise ships in Bermuda and Nova Scotia. We relished quiet times away from the clatter of remodeling in Greenville’s West End. Our favorite trips were to Sapphire Valley, Edisto Beach, New Orleans, Clinton, and Winston-Salem. Bill was an avid supporter of Clemson Athletics and his favorites were football and baseball.
Bill said in April 2010 at Edisto Island after waking up: “I’m dying and I saw myself in Heaven in a white robe.” In ICU at Oconee Hospital he said the arms of the “Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit are around me.” Also he said “the prayers of many have kept me alive”.
The following scriptures were read by my pastor, Rev. Jeremy Garrett: Psalm 27:13-14; Revelation 21:4; Revelation 21:22-23. The Holy Spirit gave me the following scripture in the emergency room at Self Memorial Hospital when I was having trouble whispering to Bill that I would be alright and he could go to Jesus, he died two hours later.
Revelation 22:7; Revelation 22:12-14.
He finished the race and kept the faith.