I was fortunate to have a family that was Christian and very involved in church activities. Since we lived in a rural area the church was the core of our community. Aside from that my grandfather owned land surrounding the church and gave additional land to allow for church growth. My Mom had the Sunday Fried Chicken Dinner for all ministers, evangelists and missionaries who visited our church. My parent’s best friends were missionaries in Africa. I was provided with role models for Christianity.

I knew that Jesus was the Son of God and that He came to earth as a babe in the manger. He died on the cross for my sins was buried and rose the third day. I knew that he ascended to heaven and I wanted to go to heaven as well. At eight years of age I made my decision public, joined the church and was baptised in the outdoor baptismal pool located in my grandfather’s pasture.

One Sunday Night, my boyfriend and I were coming home from visiting his church in Greenville. We were involved in a very serious auto accident caused by a drunk driver. We had some serious injuries. My neck was broken and only God allowed me to survive. At times, I wondered if I would ever be able to tell someone that a year, or maybe two or three had passed since I was in a terrible accident and that I was healed. Praise the Lord, I can say this year will be 45 years since that time. During the long months of recovery I discovered a Bible verse that has helped me throughtout my life. Psalm 16:11, “Thou wilt show me the path of life, in Thy presence is fullness of joy and at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” God has allowed me to marry the “man of my dreams” (was in the accident with me) have two children, who have married Christians and we now have four grandchildren. We have worked hard, had difficult situations to deal with, had illnesses and death has taken precious friends and family members, but God is always on that Path of Life with me. When one comes close to losing life at nineteen, 64 looks great!