#bentley-burial

[chinguusoda]

“Bentley Burial” - Phi vụ chôn cất chiếc xe hạng sang “nâng tầm” việc hiến tạng

Vào năm 2013, khái niệm hiến tạng còn vô cùng xa lạ với người dân Brazil. Việc giữ nguyên vẹn các cơ quan trong cơ thể khi chôn cất người đã mất là điều rất đỗi bình thường và chẳng có gì phải thay đổi. Tuy nhiên, với quan điểm tiến bộ và đầy tính nhân văn: Hiến tạng - giúp nối dài sự sống cho những người bệnh tưởng chừng như đã tắt hết hy vọng với cuộc đời, Tổ chức Hiến tạng Brazil ABTO đã hợp tác với Leo Burnett Tailor Made triển khai chiến dịch “Bentley Burial” nhằm nâng cao nhận thức của người dân Brazil về tầm quan trọng và ý nghĩa của việc hiến tặng bộ phận cơ thể sau khi từ giã cõi đời.

Với chiến dịch siêu plot-twist này, các nhà hoạch định chiến dịch muốn mượn hình ảnh ẩn dụ để nói lên một sự thật-mà-ai-cũng-ngầm-thừa-nhận rằng: "Đối với nhiều người, họ cho rằng việc chôn cất cơ thể người nguyên vẹn cùng những cơ quan nội tạng là điều rất đỗi bình thường. Họ không ý thức được rằng đó là điều vô cùng lãng phí, trong khi chúng có thể được dùng để cứu sống nhiều người khác. Tuy nhiên, đứng trước việc chôn cất một tài sản giá trị, chẳng hạn như siêu xe, người ta sẽ ngay lập tức chú ý, thậm chí phản ứng có phần gay gắt."

Nắm bắt được tâm ý và suy nghĩ của công chúng lúc bấy giờ, đội ngũ sáng tạo chiến dịch cuối cùng cũng đã thành công khiến cho người dân Brazil "giác ngộ" về việc hiện tạng sau khi qua đời chỉ bằng việc hợp tác với tỷ phú người Brazil - Count Chiquinho Scarpa để dựng lên một loạt drama với những nét hành xử "lố bịch ngông cuồng" của ông.

Cụ thể, ông tuyên bố trên trang cá nhân của mình rằng sẽ chôn chiếc xe Anh Quốc hạng sang trị giá nửa triệu USD ở ngay trong vườn của mình. Để tăng tính xác thực cho câu chuyện, một loạt status khác về việc này được ông tiếp tục cập nhật – kể lại việc chuẩn bị cho sự kiện trọng đại, chôn cất chiếc Bentley quý giá. Đúng như dự kiến của những người thực hiện, cả nước Brazil bị shock. Hàng loạt các phương tiện truyền thông từ truyền hình, radio đến tạp chí, báo giấy, website đều nói về ông và sự kiện có 1-0-2 này.

Đến ngày diễn ra “sự kiện điền rồ” này, khi tất cả các phóng viên đã tập hợp đông đủ để tường thuật trực tiếp đến khán giả toàn quốc, vị tỷ phủ này đã khiến tất cả mọi người bật ngửa với chiếc plot-twist không thể chất lượng hơn: “Tôi sẽ không chôn xe của mình. Những ngày qua, mọi người đã cho rằng, việc này thật ngu xuẩn và lố bịch. Thật ra chính mọi người mới đang hành động ngu xuẩn: Chôn những bộ phận cơ thể khoẻ mạnh trong khi chúng có thể cứu được nhiều mạng sống. Không gì có thể có giá trị hơn chúng”. Từ đây, sự thật mà vị tỷ phủ tiết lộ ở trên đã mở màn cho chiến dịch "thức tỉnh" tầm quan trọng của việc hiến tạng ở mọi người dân của tổ chức ABTO.

Chiến dịch đã thành công vang dội khi đã tiếp cận được hơn 172 triệu người trên mạng xã hội, đạt được earned media trị giá 22 triệu USD trên TV, radio, báo, tạp chí, websites, trở thành đề tài nóng nhất Brazil và thứ nhì trên thế giới chỉ với 6 post trên trang cá nhân của vị tỷ phú kỳ quặc Count Chiquinho Scarpa. Chính nhân vật chính - ông Count cũng rất bất ngờ trước những thành quả mà mình đạt được bao gồm số lượng người hâm mộ ông trên Facebook tăng 120%, trang cá nhân của ông chứng kiến lượng tương tác tăng 179 lần, và sức lan tỏa của các status của ông tăng 6000%. Đặc biệt và quan trọng hơn cả, hậu chiến dịch, số người hiến tặng bộ phận cơ thể tại Brazil đã tăng trưởng thêm 31,5% chỉ sau 1 tháng.

Đằng sau chiếc campaign siêu thành công này là sự hội tụ của rất nhiều yếu tố cấu thành nên. Tuy nhiên, bản thân mình nhận thấy rằng yếu tố ghi điểm cho chiến dịch này nằm ở việc các thành viên đội sáng tạo chiến dịch đã tinh mắt tìm được insight đắt giá và đặc biệt là chọn đúng kênh truyền thông (earned media) để gây được sức ảnh hưởng lớn đến với công chúng mục tiêu. Chính điều đó đã hỗ trợ chiến dịch rất nhiều trong việc thành công truyền tải đến công chúng Brazil tầm quan trọng và ý nghĩa thấm đượm tính nhân văn của việc hiến tặng bộ phận cơ thể, “trao đi tia hy vọng cho những cuộc đời mới.”

Nguồn tham khảo:

"1. https://creativecriminals.com/ambient/abto/bentley-burial

"2. https://www.everplans.com/articles/rich-guy-buries-million-dollar-bentley-to-prove-point

"3. https://www.brandsvietnam.com/campaign/765-ABTO-Bentley-Burial

[johnstevenmullaly]

Funeral Announcement

Patricia Susan (Deery) Mullaly, 89 of West Roxbury, formally of Concord, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, December 15th, 2023.

Patricia was born to the late Hugh and Elizabeth Deery and raised in Jamacia Plain, MA. She attended the Blessed Sacrament School and earned a college degree from Bentley College. She had a long career in corporate account collections and most recently worked for the BASF corporation.

Beloved mother of two children: daughter Susan Mullaly (deceased); son John Mullaly and wife Beth of Cohasset. She was also the loving grandmother “Bubba” to Hannah and Jack. She was also the sister of Joseph Deery and the late Caroll Farren, John Deery, Paul Deery and Nancy Magee.

Patricia is survived by her ex-spouse Robert Mullaly of Hingham.

Patricia was a devoted friend to many and was always a source of comfort and strength. She raised her son in Concord and later moved to West Roxbury to be closer to immediate family. Patricia never stopped learning and had many interests. She enjoyed her significant rock collection, cherished time with friends and family, watching Columbo, and being with her son and grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the dedicated staff at the Miriam Boyd Parlin Hospice Residence in Wayland for their care and thoughtfulness. In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Medical Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1905

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in The Holy Name Church, 1689 Centre St. West Roxbury on Wednesday December 20, at 11:30 am. Visiting hours in The Robert J. Lawler & Crosby Funeral home, 1803 Centre St. West Roxbury on Wednesday morning from 9:00 to 11:00 am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery

[wutbju]

William David “Dave” Fultz passed away on Saturday, April 2, 2022, at home in Taylors, South Carolina.

David was born to William Watson and Lila June Wilson Fultz, on November 17, 1949, in Portsmouth, Ohio. He graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1967 and received degrees in Bible and History from Bob Jones University in 1972, followed by two years of graduate studies. David enjoyed teaching Sunday School where he was able to showcase his excellent public speaking skills.

David married Linda Jean Henley on June 12, 1971, and they enjoyed almost fifty-one years of marriage together.

David is survived by his loving wife, Linda Henley Fultz; daughters, Evie Lynn Buisch (Benjamin), Emilie Katherine Sheppard (David), and Elizabeth Henley Black (Adam), along with his brother, Dennis Wilson Fultz (Alex Li), of Columbus, Ohio. David and Linda were blessed with six grandchildren, Clovelly Sheppard, Madison Buisch, Kinsale Sheppard, Steitler Buisch, Ryn Sheppard and Kyre Sheppard. He is also survived by lifelong friend Annette Boehm, his favorite granddog Bentley H. Black, and numerous other family members and friends.

David was preceded in death by his parents, William Watson Fultz and Lila June Wilson Fultz, in-laws Grady and Freddie Hires, and his best friend John Boehm.

A member of the International Code Council (ICC), David consulted in construction and building codes during his professional career. He served as an advisor and curriculum consultant for the Architectural and Construction Engineering Technology programs at Greenville Technical College. David was the beloved Homeowner’s Association President at Bay Tree Golf Colony in Little River, South Carolina for many years.

Visitation will be held at The Wood Mortuary in Greer, South Carolina on Thursday, April 7, from 5:00 to 7:00 in the evening. David’s Celebration of Life will be held at Taylors First Baptist Church on Friday, April 8, at 11:00 in the morning. Private burial to follow.

Memorials may be made to Taylors First Baptist Church- Bella's Bags Ministry at 200 W. Main Street, Taylors, SC 29687 or Child Evangelism Fellowship of SC, Greenville/Piedmont Chapter at P.O. Box 575, Taylors, SC 29687.

[historyhermann]

Pleasant Rest Cemetery, access limits, and the power of community

Picture of cemetery I visited today

Recently, as I was walking around Towson, me and my dad stumbled upon an unmarked cemetery. I took a few pictures and examined a few headstones. I wasn't there to examine anything, but just explore. I did the same at a cemetery in Cape Cod and have gone to a bunch of cemeteries in the course of my genealogy research. But this was different. I had a suspicion it was a Black cemetery because one of the stones for a 64-year-old man named John E. Forman read as follows, who I'll focus on later:

John E. Foreman who died on the 11th August 1909 in the 64th year of his age. He was a Trustee and Class Leader of the Zion African Methodist Church, Govanstown, of which his Father was one of the founders. He was an upright, industrious and…[cut off by grass]

Reprinted from my History Hermann WordPress blog and Wayback Machine. Originally posted on March 12, 2020.

After taking a couple other pictures, I went on my way, later posting them on Instagram. Once I got back home, I did some digging and found the name of the cemetery: Pleasant Rest Cemetery. As it turned out, the cemetery was a historic Black cemetery owned by Mt. Olive Baptist Church as noted in the Baltimore Sun in September 2011. Apart from learning how the Preservation Alliance of Baltimore County has set aside money to help preserve the cemetery (I'm not sure how much), the cemetery is still active with a burial there in September of last year. I also learned that the grandfather of Adelaide Bentley, President of the North East Towson Improvement Association, born in 1928, co-founded "the Mount Olive Baptist Church at the corner of York Road and Bosley Avenue" as the Baltimore Sun reported in February 2019. Not long after, the Mount Calvary African Methodist Episcopal Church was built, with the first stones laid in 1855. The church is specifically located on the corner of York Rd. and Bosley Ave. in Towson, with "a white steeple and a unique & stain glass window facing the road" as MapQuest describes it. I put together this article in hopes of submitting a description of the cemetery to Find A Grave as I suggested on Twitter. I learned a lot more than about the cemetery however.

Getting back to John E. Foreman. Who was this man, anyway? We know that the Zion African Methodist Church in Govanstown could have been a branch of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Zion Church, a historically Black Protestant denomination based in New York City, officially officially recognized in 1821 and also known as the Freedom Church. It is not the same as the AME Church as some have pointed out. If correct, this church would be part of the Mid-Atlantic Episcopal District. I did some searching and found a mention of church in Govanstown in the 1874 Minutes of the Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church for the Years 1773-1881. Other books seemed to mention the church as well. After some searching, I came across a 1898 obituary of a man which appeared to be John E. Forman's father, named William Waters Foreman, born in Govanstown, Md., October 12, 1821. This man was the son of Isaac Foreman, a local preacher of the Church. He was twice married, first to Miss Ruth Ann Weeks, of Baltimore, Md., November 12, 1843, and second to Mrs. Annie C. Molock, September 29, 1892.

Unfortunately, this obituary doesn't list his children and I don't know whether it was the correct person. We know that John E. Forman was born, approximately, in 1845 going by his age listed on his tombstone. Doing some searching, I found a John Forman living in Baltimore City in 1860, although it is not the same person. There is also one John Henry Foreman born in Prince George's Parish in 1845, but I can't confirm it is the same person. When I tried to search for ANYTHING on the 1900 census on FamilySearch, specifically to examine an entry for John Forman, I got this message:

This is a disgusting limitation on access. I remember when you used to be able to examine the 1900 census on FamilySearch. That's no longer allowed unless you have special access. Why? This should be condemned without question. I also can't access it on Ancestry unless I have a subscription. You can look through the ones added to the NARA catalog, but the entries for the 1900 census for Maryland have not been added yet. In any case, I continued onward.

Frustrated with this, I searched on some library databases and didn't find much. Only some scattered articles, including one which lists a W.W. Foreman as a person being appointed for Buckeystown, Maryland in 1894. [1] Recommendations to help me fulfill this story are welcome.

Since that went nowhere, I decided to search for the church and cemetery. When it came to Mt. Olive Baptist Church, I found stories talking about its activities like entertaining the Relief Association of Baltimore County in 1926 and 1927 [2], how the Colored Baptist Convention was held there in 1911 [3], and the church hosted a bazaar in 1915. [4] There were a lot of false drops because of the number of churches also named "Mt. Olive Baptist Church" in other parts of the country. There are likely other stories there, but I'm not in the mood to weed through a bunch of sources right now. But, the door is open for others to expand this story. Undoubtedly, Louis Diggs writes about it in his book, Since the Beginning: African-American Communities in Towson, but more stories can still be told.

Searches for "Pleasant Rest Cemetery" were more successful. There were obituaries [5] and such, but most interesting was a 1921 article talking about the Timonium-Towson Trolley. [6] Here's what it noted:

Shake hands with the only trolley car in Maryland that has a smokestack and coal scuttle, and travels a route that goes down hill both ways! 'Tis the Timonium-Towson trolley. If  you think you can't shake hands with her get in and take a ride, and you will not only shake hands but head, shoulders and teeth as well, particular in the neighborhood of the Pleasant Rest Cemetery, where departed members of the Mount Olive Baptist Church (colored) lie buried not far from the track...But she stops anywhere. You can get right at your front door and now and then she goes around and stops at back doors. Of course she only stops at her regular stations, but they are plentiful enough; you wouldn't want to stop in the middle of the woos or at the Pleasant Rest Cemetery, and those are about the only places where there aren't any station.

That article was funny, but also revealing. I then came across an obituary in 1932 which revealed hat 73-year-old Alexander Frazier helped found and erect the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, seemingly with a man named James Williams. [7] What Rev. Avery Penn of the Mount Olive Baptist Church said, being tired of the county conducting negative actions that could affect his congregation, does give a bit of the background of the struggles the church has faced over the years:

In 1985 the county told us that we needed to move the church, move the church that had been there since 1888…To comply with the county, we tore it down, turned it around and moved back in. Guess what they told us. That is was going to be a gateway and it had to be something that would be pretty...We would walk out of the church, carry the body up to the cemetery on green ground. Baltimore County came along and decided that they would cut off the cemetery. They brought Bosley Avenue down across there, cut off what was Kenilworth and cut us off from the cemetery. They took the house — the church’s parsonage — you know where it was? It was right where Bosley Avenue is, right beside the church. The put it on telephone poles and they rolled it around behind the church, and that’s where it is today, that duplex house. Baltimore County did that. They built a fire house over there. They went where we walked up to the cemetery and they built a police station. And they told me I had to tear down the church and build something nice and I did it. Twenty six years later Baltimore County wants to take all my effort with the pretty church and come to the other side of the road and put a gas station.

This really shows the importance of the church to this community and its continuing value to this day. This is likely why White people have targeted the church in the past, not only by burning crosses outside the church but the vandalism of the church with White supremacist symbols in 2016. [8]

As a 1990s article about the church noted, it stands as a symbol of "the vibrant black community of Sandy Bottom that founded it and disappeared under the wheels of the commercial encroachment that has re-created Towson," with much of the property which composed Sandy Bottom was "originally bought and settled by the families of freed slaves and eventually sold to white real estate agents and developers." I personally stand with this church as it defends itself from encroachment by various forces, whether White developers, the County government, or anyone else.

© 2020-2023 Burkely Hermann. All rights reserved.

Notes

[1] Special Dispatch to the,Baltimore Sun. "COLORED METHODISTS.: CLOSING SESSION--ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE APPOINTMENTS FOR 1894." The Sun (1837-1994), Mar 13, 1894, pp. 6. ProQuest.

[2] "Towson, Md." Afro-American (1893-1988), Nov 19, 1927, pp. 14. ProQuest; "TOWSON, MD." Afro-American (1893-1988), May 29, 1926, pp. 12. ProQuest.

[3] "Maryland Baptist State Convention." Afro-American (1893-1988), Jun 17, 1911, pp. 4. ProQuest.

[4] Special to The Afro-American Ledger. "Throughout the State of Maryland: LONG GREEN HAPPENINGS." Afro-American (1893-1988), Apr 03, 1915, pp. 3. ProQuest.

[5] "DONALDSON, BARBARA A.: [FINAL EDITION]." The Sun, Jun 15, 2006, pp. 1. ProQuest; "JOHNSON, MADELON B." The Sun, Mar 05, 2008. ProQuest; "BARGER, CHARLES." The Sun, Sep 02, 2007. ProQuest; "JENKINS, SR., JAMES T.: [FINAL EDITION]." The Sun, Apr 02, 2006, pp. 1. ProQuest; "Mrs. Shurn." Afro-American (1893-1988), Mar 12, 1966, pp. 18. ProQuest; "MRS. PINDER." Afro-American (1893-1988), May 26, 1928, pp. 18. ProQuest. This is only a sampling of the obituaries listed for this cemetery on ProQuest.

[6] "Maryland's Unique Trolley Car Runs Down Hill either Way: Voyage Over TimoniumTowson Route A Lesson to the Uninitiated "COASTING" SAVES BATTERIES' "JUICE" One-Man Crew Becomes Expert in Conserving His Electricity." The Sun (1837-1994), Dec 18, 1921, pp. 12. ProQuest.

[7] "AGED TOWSON MAN BURIED SUNDAY." Afro-American (1893-1988), Feb 06, 1932, pp. 19. ProQuest. The church is also, apparently, mentioned within Neal A. Brooks and Eric G. Rockel's A History of Baltimore County, along other books.

[8] "2 from Towson Named in July Cross Burnings." The Sun (1837-1994), Aug 26, 1980, pp. 1. ProQuest.

[iowamedia]

Death Notice: Alvin Ehlers

Death Notice: Alvin Ehlers

A funeral service for Alvin Charles “Chuck” Ehlers Jr., 79, of Blue Grass, will be held at noon on Friday, Dec. 9, at Bentley Funeral Home, Durant. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home. A luncheon will be held at the Blue Grass American Legion following the service. Private family burial will be in Davenport Memorial Park.

[dailyunsolvedmysteries]

Zobaidah Salangy

Nezam Salangy, 44, was found guilty at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday of killing Zobaidah Salangy on 28 March 2020.

He was also found to have buried the body of his wife of eight years in woodland near Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, at nighttime.

Salangy's younger brothers, Mohammed Yasin, 34, and 31-year-old Mohammed Ramin Salangy, who worked in another pizza shop, were also convicted alongside their older brother of assisting an offender, helping him to cover up the crime. Ramin travelled 90 miles by cab from his and Yasin's home in Cardiff, Wales, to help bury the victim. Yasin assisted in the crime by covering up knowledge of the killing and the unmarked burial, with telephone evidence sealing his guilt.

Jurors took 13 hours and 55 minutes to reach a unanimous conviction.

Salangy later reported his wife missing to police, telling them "she had gone out for a run and never came back", after leaving him for a "new boyfriend", prosecutors said.

None of the men initially showed any reaction as the verdicts were read and "unusually", as Mr Justice Hilliard told the 11-member jury, none had chosen to give evidence at their own trial.

Six months between Zobaidah's death and her body being found

Opening the Crown's case, at the start of the six-week trial, Simon Denison QC said it was an "unfortunate fact" of the case Mrs Salangy's body was initially missed by police, when a first dig at the site near the Worcestershire village of Lower Bentley took place in April 2020.

He added that due to the "six-and-a-half months between her death and her body being discovered", it had been impossible to determine the 28-year-old's exact cause of death.

Mr Denison said: "They mistook a hard layer of soil that they reached to be a natural base below which no-one would dig.

"So they abandoned the search there and they didn't find the body at that stage."

However, police were still "convinced she must be there" and returned to the spot in October 2020, and this time "found Zobaidah's body".

[master-john-uk]

The Hever coffin.

An emotional today as I met with family and the Funeral Directors. Richard drafted his own funeral service last year, but although he told me about several things, today was the first time I have seen the details. (The funeral will be the last Friday in May.)

Richard does not want an elaborate church service and burial... he does not want money wasted. Richard has requested to be cremated,  and his ashes scattered in the the crematorium memorial garden, with a commemorative plaque that we can visit in the future. The Hever Coffin is a (relatively) cheap casket... but, why pay more for something  that most people will only see for an hour before it is incinerated?

I doubt I will use my Bentley on the day... Richard has stipulated that myself, his son , daughter-in-law, mother-in-law and Uncle Charles should use the free limo provided supplied by the undertakers. Although I expect my Surrey cousins will turn up in their old (sorry, I meant vintage) Rolls-Royces

[acommonloon]

Beer Advent Day 12. I adore Saisons and this one is from a brewery with the questionable name, Brasserie a' Vapeur. It purports to be Belgium's last steam powered brewery. The story I've linked to about the brewery recounts the death of the brewer's wife, it's dark and tragic...as was Friday night. I encourage you to read it.

...AND you probably shouldn't read the rest of this if you are a Christian and reading the thoughts of a recovered Christian disturbs you.

TLDR; I skipped pretend Advent post 11, a day that found so believers with, no home, in hospital, dead loved ones, or they didn't wake at all. I can't believe in a being both all powerful and full of love looking down on such despair. On Day 11, I was at a real birthday party. She's two and...could have been in one of those destroyed houses. How many are asking God, why???

Can you imagine the reality TV camera rolling in God's den on day 11. A murmur from the background as the producer informs God a tornado wiped out thousands of homes and killed...well not sure yet, but a bunch!

God: Oops!

God: Oh wow, last time I did that was what? 1920something or 2011? I forget, hard for even THE all-knowing dude to remember every deadly tornado, not to mention hurricanes, earthquakes, tidal waves, volcanoes, and don't get me started on the death and destruction my little creations get up to by themselves! How many days since the last school shooting?

God: Oh too bad. But you know my hands off policy. Got to let the plan play out. You know people will always choose to do the easy thing right now and have faith...it'll all work out. Not their fault. Right?

God: I know! Who you talkin to? It's all part of my plan. Those people got what was coming to them. Yeah, even the babies.

God: It was Satan!

God: Don't worry, Fox News will spin this! Churches will be full you'll see. Well except those ones that got smashed but the airwaves will be filled with thoughts and prayers and donations will buy my representatives Bentleys, mansions, and jet airplanes! I'm good.

God: Eh, yeah but you know I could shoot a man in Times Square.

in the scheme of things, it's another day in the life and death on this planet. This day and the next, more will die from Covid. More will die in refugee camps, more will die from starvation. Somewhere a boat will sink, a train will derail, a building will collapse. More will be murdered by a person known to them. More will be slaughtered in a religious bombing or hate crime. More will die from preventable illness. More will die from old age. It's the nature of the world and humanity. What's my point?

It is - what it is... and on such a day, I can't pretend to participate in something (Advent)...so unbelievable. That's why it's called faith and I've no faith in a made-up father figure who will let me choose not to worship him if I'd rather have eternal damnation. I would.

Eternal Damnation is the name of a beer brom Burial Beer Company in Asheville. Reading it's description, it sounds a lot like Saison De Pipaix and worthy of seeking out. I'll try.

[slashyrogue]

Whumptober Day 23: Presumed Dead

The phone call came exactly twelve minutes before Will Graham was supposed to be in his office for an appointment. 

“Hello, Will,” he purred, leaning back in his office chair, “Is there something...?” 

A sniffle, followed by what sounded like a choked back sob, came from the other end of the line. 

“I...I can’t come in tonight.” 

“Is there something the matter?” 

Will sniffled. “I...I think Buster is dead.” 

Hannibal paused. “Think?” 

“He...” Will sighed, “..I let the dogs out like I always do and they ALWAYS come back. They all came back but him and I heard him cry out but I can’t find him and there’s blood in the snow and it’s so dark....I keep calling but he won’t come. He’s a good boy, Dr. Lecter. He always comes back. Always. I heard some wolves last night in the woods behind my house. I...” 

“Do you need some assistance? I can drive to your home right now and---” 

“No no,” Will said, almost too loudly, “You just...go home. I’ll...” 

“Will, I have nothing keeping me from coming to you. I will be there.” 

Will sniffled again. “Thank you, Dr. Lecter. I...” 

“Hannibal,” he said, standing and putting on his overcoat, “I’ve told you plenty of times to call me Hannibal. We’ve gotten to know each other long enough for you to drop formalities.” 

He heard Will laugh a bit. “I guess. I...if you could bring another flashlight that would help. I’ve got my gun in case of...emergency. I’ll be looking out for you.” 

Hannibal smiled. “I will be there soon.” 

“Thank you, Doctor...Hannibal. I...I could really use a friend right about now.” 

He felt his heart beat just a bit faster at Will’s wording. 

“I’m glad to be of service,” he purred, heading out the door, “Stay positive, Will. I’m sure it’s not as bad as you think.” 

“I’ll try. See you soon.” 

Hannibal unlocked his Bentley before he got inside and was excited to be seeing Will again at his home. Their tentative friendship was growing steadily and yet he was growing ravenous for more. This seemed to be a good step in that direction. 

He drove toward Wolf Trap, ready to assist Will in a rescue or ease his pain at a loss. The pack of canine companions were important to Will, and he knew if one of them died he’d need a shoulder to cry on. 

Hannibal was eager to be that shoulder. 

The drive was quiet and gave him enough time to think about what might happen after if the worst had happened. He’d assist in the animal’s burial, and perhaps offer to cook Will dinner. The intimacy could perhaps lead to a furious jump in their friendship and perhaps more. 

Hannibal realized with surprise that he very much wanted more. 

He grew steadily more excited as the drive went by, and as he rolled into the driveway he nearly leapt out of the Bentley to grab his flashlight. 

“Hannibal!” 

Hannibal looked up just in time for several dogs to rush at him in excitement. He made sure to bend down and pet quite a few, though he lamented the hair that would cover the bottom of his Armani trousers. 

“Hello to you too,” he said, as one of the dogs licked his hand. 

Will ran up a moment later, panting for breath, and carrying a dog in his hands. 

The animal was wrapped in a towel. 

“Buster, I take it?” 

Will grimaced. “Yeah,” he sighed, “I tried to call you but I don’t think the signal’s that great sometimes on the road. I feel like an ass that you came all this way and he’s just....here.” 

Hannibal smiled, bending down to pet Buster’s head. “He is uninjured?” 

Will nodded. “He actually attacked a bunny if you can believe it. I finally called him a couple more times and he came running up with the dead carcass in his mouth.” 

“A gift for his master,” Hannibal said, staring up through his lashes, “You should be proud.” 

He laughed. “That he tore apart something and brought it to me?” 

“He thought to give you his kill, Will. It’s a very important thing for any predator.” 

They shared a look that lasted far too long before Will spoke. 

“Well,” he mumbled, “Um...I tossed it back. So I guess I was an ungrateful master.” 

Hannibal smiled and stood straight again. “I’m certain you’ll have more...gifts...in the future.” 

He smiled. “I’ll remember to be grateful for the next carcass I get as a gift.”

“I should hope so.” 

They shared a chuckle. 

The dogs started to prod Hannibal’s hand for pets again, and he tried to accommodate but they became a bit too excited. Will whistled and they all ran off at his command. 

“Sorry, I...they...we..don’t have visitors much.” 

“I’m sure,” Hannibal said, pulling out his keys, “Well, I suppose I must get back on the road. I’m happy you found Buster.” 

Will nodded. “Thanks.” 

“I will see you at our next appointment. Goodnight, Will.” 

He turned away and headed back toward his car feeling oddly rejected. This night had not gone at all as he’d expected. 

“You wanna come in for a drink? I was just about to make dinner or order a pizza. I can see if I have steaks?” 

Hannibal looked at Will in surprise. “I would be delighted.” 

Will’s smile made his chest ache. “For a drink or the pizza?” 

“Both.” 

“You’re sure you even know HOW to eat pizza?” 

Hannibal walked back up to Will again, pet Buster, and smiled. 

“I’m sure you can show me many new....delights...I haven’t had before.”

They shared a look that felt different. 

“Yeah,” Will said, licking his lips, “I can try.” 

They began to walk toward the house and Hannibal’s early upset faded away. 

This night hadn’t gone as he expected but perhaps it would end even better than he’d hoped. 

The night was still young and full of possibilities. 

[captainhandsome45]

Looking for an RP partner for an 18+ Stony roleplay!

So picture this: the year is 1991, Tony is 21 and has just lost his parents to a car crash mere days before Christmas. He was in the midst of finishing his last PhD, but now he's suddenly been thrown into the responsibility of not only needing to bury his folks, but also needing take care of the looming giant that is Stark Industries.

The start of this RP would take place during/right after the funeral, where Tony's clung to Steve for comfort as the man is (sort of, but not really) an unofficial godfather, but he’s really more akin to a family friend than anything else. Looking for a slow to moderate burn of Steve taking care of a grieving Tony and encouraging him when he gets around to finishing school and manning SI, and falling for one another in the process. The starter is below the cut, please feel free to PM me if you have any questions about it, are interested, or are interested and want to switch up the starter a little bit!

Looking for 18+ people who can respond with well written, longer responses (a paragraph or more) that are in the third person, aka Steve’s POV. Hoping to continue on Discord, and as a side note— I do write in present tense!

Please PM me or interact with this post and I’ll message you! ♡

[Noncanonical AU, Young Adult Tony (21), the year is 1991; Stony is the endgoal. TW: talks of death and funerals. | After the incredibly sudden and brutal death of both his parents, Steve offers for Tony to stay with him while he grieves and hopes to eventually get back on his feet, as Obadiah runs the company for now. Steve’s sort of an unofficial godfather, but he’s really more akin to a family friend than anything else.

Steve had been in the ice for twenty five years before scientists found him again, and he and Peggy had married— marriage simply hadn’t been on her mind until he returned. However, they've since divorced, having fallen out of love, and Steve's been burying himself in his work since. He's lonely, up until Tony loses his parents and Steve invites him to stay at his house for as long as he needs to. Steve is 48 years old, not including the years in the ice. Please lmk if you have any questions!]

Tony's held it together for much longer than anyone else had anticipated. During the call from the police at four in the morning that sent him into shock during his study session with Rhodey, and on the silent drive home when Jarvis picked him up from Cambridge. He kept it together for the following two days afterward that it took him and Jarvis to painstakingly pick out his parents' coffins and gravesites that Howard hadn't done himself, because his father had evidently assumed that he would live much longer than seventy-four years.

Astoundingly enough, he even had a stone face during the service. Every word from the priest was like a punch to the gut, every glance to the two beautifully decorated coffins and his own eulogy to the hundred-something people in the room had made him nauseous. And regardless of the fact that he hasn't seen Steve in almost two years, Tony had stuck to him for the entirety of the viewing, the service, and the burial, becoming more and more high strung with every flower and bouquet tossed onto the surface of his parents' final resting place.

After all was said and done, Tony is tightly arm in arm with Steve: familiar and strong and warm in the drizzling winter rain. Peggy, Jarvis, and Ana lead them toward the awaiting two blacked-out Bentleys that'll take them wherever they need to go. He and Steve take the second one alone, having briefly discussed Tony staying with him before the service began, but he isn't sure of its certitude yet. Tony doesn't realize he's shaking and shivering until the driver closes the car door behind them, and it's like something shatters in him-- heavy breaths turning shaky before he lets out a whimper and shoves his face into the crook of Steve's arm as the sobs violently wrack his body, his grip on the other man vice-like.

[I also have another, more self-indulgent and *spicy* version that involves Steve and Peggy still being married but being currently unhappy with their relationship. Let me know if you're interested or want to talk more to see if we'd be a good fit! Thanks!]

[onestowatch]

How Mahalia Jackson Blessed the Masses

A painting is a collaboration of three things: the canvas, the creators, and the acrylics. If the music industry is a painting, then Black musicians are all three. Black musicianship has played a role in every facet of American music. The focus here is not on the Black musicians we all know and love but rather on the stories that too often remain untold. 

In honor of Black History Month, we will take you back through the decades, highlighting four music pioneers: Mahalia Jackson, The Funk Brothers, Gamble and Huff, and Frankie Knuckles. From Gladys Bentley and Deford Bailey to Marian Anderson and Jackie Wilson (the original Elvis, who bridged R&B and soul), there are so many incredible yet overlooked narratives that not only crafted unprecedented genres but also created the foundation for most of the music we listen to today. 

In the 1930s and ‘40s Sister Rosetta Tharpe caught the world’s attention as one of the first gospel recording stars and the first to draw in R&B audiences. But she did even more than introduce gospel to the mainstream. Using an electric, slightly distorted guitar sound to accompany herself, Tharpe pioneered the early sounds of rock’n’roll. Often called the Godmother of Rock and Roll, Tharpe was simultaneously paving the way for Mahalia Jackson, the Queen of Gospel.

Mahalia Jackson carried on Tharpe’s torch, igniting the role of gospel in the mainstream, lending her voice to both mass audiences and to the civil rights movement. Harry Belafonte described Mahalia Jackson as "the single most powerful black woman in the United States.” 

Inspired by blues artists like Bessie Smith, Jackson combined the note-bending soul of blues with the belting courage of gospel. As she explains it, “With the blues, when you finish, you still have the blues... I sing God's music because it makes me feel free. It gives me hope." 

She carried with her the spirit of the black church, using her entire body to transcend her performance, clapping her hands, stomping her feet and touching people’s hearts. Smith and Jackson paved the way for artists like Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis who also recorded and performed gospel albums. The popularization of gospel was not only adapted by other artists, but also helped shape the sound of coming decades, starting with soul and Motown.

Born in 1911, in the Carrollton neighborhood of New Orleans, Jackson lived in a three bedroom home with 13 family members. At the age of four or five, her mother passed and her aunt raised her and her siblings. By that age, however, Jackson had already begun singing at Mount Moriah Baptist Church, her childhood place of worship. 

In 1931, Jackson moved to Chicago where she was invited to join the Greater Salem Baptist Church Choir and toured around the region’s churches with Johnson Gospel Singers. Six years later, she became the first gospel singer signed to Decca and traveled to perform with her infectious stage presence. Fast forward almost ten years, Jackson recorded “Move On Up a Little Higher” which, in 1948, became the best selling gospel record of all time. 

The turn of the decade marked the turn of Jackson’s career, as she became the first gospel singer to perform at Carnegie Hall. In 1952, her recording of “I Can Put My Trust in Jesus” won a prize from the French Academy, prompting a European tour. Jackson’s success became so massive that in 1954 she started hosting her own weekly radio series on CBS, which was the first gospel-focused national program. The show featured both black musicians and a white quartet, prompting a blend of gospel with the “doo-wop” style of the times. 

While this grew her white audience, some gospel purists were upset with the crossover (Tharpe experienced similar criticism). That same year, Jackson signed to Columbia and released an album fittingly titled, “The World’s Greatest Gospel Singer.” She also broke into the Top 40 list with “Rusty Old Halo.”

At the National Baptist Convention in 1956, Mahalia Jackson met Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who asked her to sing at a rally to raise money for the ongoing bus boycott in Montgomery. Soon enough, Jackson began appearing regularly to sing, usually before Dr. King’s speeches. As Jesse Jackson explains, she never denied Dr. King and even traveled with him through the segregated south. Jackson also sang at John F. Kennedy’s inaugural ball, at the March on Washington, and at Dr. King’s funeral.

Further expanding her legacy, Jackson won the first ever Grammy for the Gospel Music and Other Religious Recording category, an award whose creation she inspired and won three years in a row from. 

Jackson passed away in 1972, but many greats like Sammy Davis Jr and Ella Fitzgerald attended her funeral to pay their respects and celebrate her legacy. Aretha Franklin closed the funeral with “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.” There was also a service held in New Orleans where both the mayor and Louisiana governor accompanied over 20 limos as they drove past her childhood place of worship, where her recordings were blasted through the speakers, audible even from her burial site at Providence Memorial Park. 

Later, that year, Jackson won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. She has since been inducted into multiple halls of fame, including the Grammy, Rock and Roll, Gospel Music, and of course, Louisiana Music Hall of Fame, where there is a performing arts theatre reopened in her name. 

[the-record-obituaries]

March 4, 2020

Cora Ann Neikirk, 87

Cora Ann Neikirk, age 87, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Friday, February 28, 2020 at Wilkes Senior Village.

She was born October 10, 1932 in Wilkes County to Gordon Russell and Maggie Gray Godbee. Cora was retired from Tyson Foods. She loved to do crafts. Ms. Neikirk was preceded in death by her parents.

Surviving are her children, Al Davis and spouse Annie of Texas, Linda Norris and spouse Lee of Wilkesboro, Tony Davis and spouse Joyce of Moravian Falls, Debbie Smith and spouse Shep of Taylors, South Carolina; thirteen grandchildren; a number of great grandchildren; and a number of great great grandchildren.

Memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 5, 2020 at Miller Funeral Chapel with Eulogy by the family. Memorials may be made to the Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, Pennsylvania 18901. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.millerfuneralservice.com

 Mr. William Francis Dargin

Mr. William Francis Dargin, age 79 of Wilkesboro passed away Friday, February 28, 2020 at his home.

Memorial services with Military Honors by the Veterans of Foreign War Post # 1142 will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, July 4, 2020 at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Rev. Matt Miller officiating.  

Mr. Dargin was born February 21, 1941 in Newark, NJ to William J. and Margaret M. McClain Dargin.  He served as a Captain in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.   He was a Mensa member, Friends of the Wilkes County Library and  he had a lifelong love of boats and sailing.  He was an avid gardener and mentor to many teens and young adults.  He had a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville.  

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 34 years; Laurie Volsdal Frachey-Dargin of the home, three daughters; Heather Bartram and husband Brian of Connecticut, Liv Perry and husband Ross of Vermont, Kimberly Crabb of Wilkesboro, two sons; Jared Dargin and Tammie Brown of Millers Creek and David Frachey and wife Deidre’ of Connecticut, four grandchildren; Jim and John Bartram of Connecticut, Eli Perry of Vermont, Nathaniel and Theodor Frachey of Connecticut, one sister; Margo O’Malley and husband Tim of Tennessee, dear friends; Shasta Phillips, Shelia Owens, Collee Riddle, companion canine; Macy, several nieces, nephews and several great nieces and nephews around the globe.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Wilkes, PO  Box 306, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or Friends of the Wilkes County Library, 215 10th Street, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com

 Marvin Franklin Wagoner, 66

Marvin Franklin Wagoner, age 66, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Saturday, February 29, 2020 at his home. Mr. Wagoner was born November 12, 1953 in Wilkes County to Raymond Hobert and Bessie Viola Royal Wagoner. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Rufus Wagoner; and sisters, Margie Wagoner and Geneva Wagoner.

Surviving are his wife, Brenda Brown Wagoner; sons, Joe Wagoner and spouse Retha, Mickey Wagoner and spouse Amanda all of North Wilkesboro; grandchildren, Jeremiah Wagoner and spouse Kayla, Joe Joe Wagoner and spouse Megan, Tommy Wagoner, Sophia Wagoner, Dakota Wagoner, Gina Wagoner, Mickey Wagoner, Jr.; great grandchildren, Jazmine Wagoner, Abigail Wagoner, Aria Wagoner, Joseph Keith Wagoner; and brother, Spencer Wagoner and spouse Verna of North Wilkesboro.

Funeral service were be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at Miller Funeral Chapel with Brother Billy Wagoner and Brother Michael Brown officiating. Burial followed in Mountlawn Memorial Park. The family received friends at Miller Funeral Service from 6:00 until 8:00 Monday night. Donations may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 688 North Bridge Street, Elkin, NC 28621. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.millerfuneralservice.com

 Gladys Wyatt Roberts, 70

Gladys Wyatt Roberts, age 70, of Millers Creek, passed away Friday, February 28, 2020 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem. Mrs. Roberts was born July 13, 1949 in Wilkes County to Rev. Archie and Julie Cleary Wyatt. Gladys was a member of New Light Baptist Church #2. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bud Roberts; great grandchild, Gauge Bumgarner; and sister, Clara Hart.

Surviving are her son, Allen Roberts and spouse Becky, Millers Creek; daughter, Pat Roberts and fiancé James Hart of Millers Creek; grandchildren, Julia Medford and spouse Michael of North Wilkesboro, Jason Bumgarner and spouse Celeita, Halie Smith all of Millers Creek; great grandchildren, Jayden Bumgarner and Kason Bumgarner both of Millers Creek; several aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews.

 Funeral service were held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at New Light Baptist Church #2 with Pastor Jim Belcher and Rev. Mike Church officiating. Burial followed in the Ambrose Roberts Cemetery on Mertie Road. The family received friends at New Light Baptist Church #2 from 1:00 until 2:00 on Tuesday, prior to the service. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.millerfuneralservice.com

  Mikey James Lovette, 37

Mikey James Lovette, age 37, of Wilkesboro, passed away Wednesday, February 25, 2020 at his home. Mikey was born August 14, 1982 in Wilkes County to Janet Vivian Johnson Lovette. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Cecil and Marie Lovette and Lawrence Johnson.

 Surviving are his mother, Janet Johnson Gregory of North Wilkesboro; sister, Malisa Lovette and fiancé, Oliver Bentley of Wilkesboro; aunt, Sandra McCrary and spouse Randy, Smithfield, Virginia; nephews, Tyler Carter, Trace Bentley, Bradley Vorsteg, Elijah Bentley,  and niece, Jaycee Carter.

 A Celebration of Life was held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 1,, 2020 at Miller Funeral Service. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.millerfuneralservice.com

  Carlie Elvin Cleary, age 87

Carlie Elvin Cleary, age 87, of North Wilkesboro, passed away Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at his home.

Carlie was born December 7, 1932 in Wilkes County to Raymond and Mozelle Ballard Cleary. He was a member of Second Baptist Church, a US Navy Veteran; was a Mason and a Shriner. Mr. Cleary was preceded in death by his parents; sons, Scott Bryan Cleary, Mark Elvin Cleary; sister, Bernice Cleary; brother, Arbury Cleary; and a step-daughter, Paula Sebastian.

 He is survived by his wife, Betty Porter Cleary; step son, David M. Wyatt and spouse Sandy of Millers Creek; step daughters, Tamara Wyatt of Wilkesboro, Nikole McGuire and spouse Chris of North Wilkesboro; brother, Larry Cleary of North Wilkesboro; sister, Barbara Jean Cooney and spouse Dan of Knoxville, Tennessee; eight step grandchildren; seven step great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; special little friends, Katie Owens and Bubba Prevette.

Graveside service with military honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard Post 1142 and Masonic Rites were held 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 27, 2020 at Mountlawn Memorial Park with Rev. Danny Dillard officiating. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105 or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Miller Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

 Donald Ray Ferguson, 73

Mr. Donald Ray Ferguson, age 73 of Millers Creek passed away Sunday, March 1, 2020 at Wilkes Health and Rehabilitation.

Graveside service were held 2:00 PM Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Wilkesboro with Rev Gwyn Anderson officiating.  The family received friends from 12:30 until 1:30 PM prior to the service at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home.

Mr. Ferguson was born May 18,1946 in Wilkes County to Everette and Ruby Nichols Ferguson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Fred and Robert Ferguson.

He is survived by a sister, Betty Jean Ferguson Price and husband, Sydney of North Wilkesboro, a brother, Bill Ferguson of North Wilkesboro, a sister in-law, Helen Ferguson, of Millers Creek, and special friends, Wanda and Danny Byers of Millers Creek.

Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com

 Mr. Gary Dale Colbert

Mr. Gary Dale Colbert age 55, of North Wilkesboro passed away February 25, 2020 at Forsyth Medical Center.

Funeral services were held at Reins Sturdivant Chapel Sunday, March 1, 2020 at 2:00 PM with Reverend Danny Bauguess officiating.  The family received friends from 12:00 until 1:45 prior to the service.  Burial was in Mountlawn Memorial Park.

Mr. Colbert was born January 1, 1965 to Fred Ray Colbert and Blanche Durham Colbert. He was self-employed as a Little Debbie Distributor.

Mr. Colbert was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Bruce Colbert.

He is survived by a son, Cory Garrett Colbert of the home, Gary’s fiancé, Samantha Hamby of the home, a sister, Cindy Colbert of Elkin, a brother Bobby Colbert and wife Kathy of Traphill. Beloved father figure to nieces Jenna Lyons, Gracie Colbert, nephew Traeson Colbert and Sammi Jo Walker, and also survived by niece, Kathy Jo McGee and nephew, Matthew Colbert.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Leukemia Society of America 5950 Fairview Road, Suite 250 Charlotte, NC  28210.

Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com

 Wilhelmenia Wilby Greene Harris, 90

Mrs. Wilhelmenia Wilby Greene Harris, 90, of Millers Creek, passed away on Friday, February 28, 2020 at Maple Leaf Health Care in Statesville.  

Wilhelmenia was born on June 25, 1929 in Watauga County to Willie Lawrence Greene and Flora Belle Greene.

Wilhelmenia was a homemaker and life long member of Stony Fork Baptist Church.

Wilhelmenia is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Samuel LeRoy Harris; daughter, Cathy “Vicky” Harris; brothers, Claude Greene, Cecil Greene; sisters, Wilma Latham, Lorena Greene, Linda Kay Watson.  

Wilhelmenia is survived by her sons, Robert Alan Harris (Kelly Church) of Wilkesboro, Barry Harris (Rebecca) of Statesville; sister, Louella Copley of Charlotte; two grandchildren, Madison Harris of Statesville, McKenzie Harris of Millers Creek; two great grandchildren, Tanner and Shania of Statesville and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation was held Sunday, March 1, 2020 from 2:00-2:45 at Stony Fork Baptist Church. The funeral service was held on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at 3 p.m. at Stony Fork Baptist Church.   Burial followed in the church cemetery.

 Rev. Sherrill Welborn and Rev. Phillip Woodring  officiated.

Memorial donations may be given to Stony Fork Baptist Church Cemetery Fund P.O. Box 128 Deep Gap, NC 28618.

Condolences may be sent to: www.adamsfunerals.com

Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes has the honor of serving the Harris Family.

 Arvie Lou Hayes Hamby, 89

Mrs. Arvie Lou Hayes Hamby, age 89 of North Wilkesboro, passed away Thursday, February 27, 2020 at Wake Forest Baptist Health-Wilkes Medical Center.

Funeral services were held 2:00 PM, Saturday, February 29, 2020 at Reins Sturdivant Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Sherrill Wellborn and Rev. Dr. Susan Pillsbury officiating. Burial was in Arbor Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family received friends from 12:00 until 1:30 prior to the service at Reins Sturdivant Funeral Home.

Mrs. Hamby was born February 22, 1931 in Wilkes County to Washington Mumford Hayes and Essie Viola Holcomb Hayes. She was a member of Arbor Grove United Methodist Church. She was a former President of the Handicap Organization of Wilkes.

Mrs. Hamby was preceded in death by her parents, her husband; Max Aldean Hamby, a sister; Marybelle Hayes Johnson, a brother; William Jasper Hayes and two brother in laws; Walter George and Lester Johnson.

She is survived by four sons; Niki A Hamby and wife Kim of North Wilkesboro, Kimi M. Hamby and wife Kathy of Boomer, W. Kipi Hamby and wife Melissa of North Wilkesboro and Kini H. Hamby and wife Kimberly of North Wilkesboro, four grandchildren; Trevor Hamby, Kailee Davis and husband Tim, Jordan Cheek and husband Thomas and Ethan Hamby and Brenna, two great grandchildren; Sidney Cheek and Emersyn Davis, two sisters; Dicie Hayes George of Sparta, Dorothy “Dot” Hayes Foster and husband Curtis Foster of Purlear and special friends of the family; Perry and Claudia Parks.

Memorials may be made to Arbor Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery c/o Esther Eller 480 Shepherd River Road, Millers Creek, NC 28651 or Mtn. Valley Hospice 401 Technology Lane Suiter 200 Mt. Airy, NC 27030.

Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com

 Virginia Fay Handy Watson, 65

Mrs. Virginia Fay Handy Watson, age 65 of Sparta passed away Monday, February 24, 2020 at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, Elkin NC.

Funeral services were held at 1:00 PM Friday, February 28, 2020 at Traphill Baptist Church with Pastor Mike Caldwell officiating. The family received friends from 6:00 until 8:00 PM on Thursday, February 27, 2020 at Reins Sturdivant Funeral Home.  Burial was in White Rock UMC Cemetery on Haystack Rd.

Mrs. Watson was born December 2, 1954 in Wilkes County to Mack Charlie Handy and Merle Blevins Handy. She started at Chatham’s in 1994 and worked there until 2016.  She retired after 22 years. She loved her grandchildren, was an avid church goer, made a mean gravy and biscuit, liked canning, cooking, and planning family get togethers.

In addition her parents, he was preceded in death by her husband; Tony Clinard Watson; one sister Ester Mae Handy and three brothers Charlie, Billy, and Bobby Handy.

She is survived by her daughter; Lisa McCann of Ronda and boyfriend Gary Perdue, and two sons, Tony Dale Watson and girlfriend Jessica Venable of Ennice, NC; Larry Watson and wife Jessica Watson of State Road; four sisters, Patsy Lail, Rita Anderson.Tina Lambert, and Angie Holder; two brothers, James Handy and Chris Mcharque  Thirteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren, and a special friend, Jimmy Billings.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the Donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com

  James Jackson “Jack” Brown, Jr., 63

James Jackson “Jack” Brown, Jr., age 63, of Hays, passed away Sunday, February 23, 2020 at his home. Jack was born January 30, 1957 in Wilkes County to James Jackson “Jim” Brown, Sr. and Sally Brewer Brown.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his daughter, Carrie Beasey of Hays; grandson, Tyler Beasey of Hays; sister, Jennifer Fuller and spouse Ralph of Hays; nephew, Clinton Fuller and spouse Brandy of Hays; niece, Christina Call of Wilkesboro; two great nieces; great nephew, Nathan Call of Wilkesboro.

Memorial service was held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 29, 2020 at Miller Funeral Chapel. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.millerfuneralservice.com

  Dare Foster Moore, age 89

Dare Foster Moore, age 89, of Wilkesboro, passed away Monday, February 24, 2020 at Wake Forest Baptist Health-Wilkes Regional. She was born September 3, 1930 in Wilkes County to Alonzo and Nora Riggs McNeil. Mrs. Moore was a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. She loved cooking, music, dancing, fashion and decorating. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bobby Ray Moore; son, Michael Foster; daughter, Susan Faye Foster; four brothers; and four sisters.

Mrs. Moore is survived by her children, Cathryn Aldridge of Columbia, South Carolina, Debbie Foster, Tim Foster and spouse Melanie all of Wilkesboro, Jodi Foster of Asheville, Sandi Foster of Wilkesboro; six grandchildren; six great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 29, 2020 at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church with Pastor Kevin Brown officiating. Burial followed in the Church Cemetery. The family received friends at Mount  Pleasant Baptist Church from 1:00 until 2:00 on Saturday, prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 688 North Bridge Street, Elkin, NC 28621. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.millerfuneralservice.com

  Bina Louise Myers, 82

Bina Louise Myers, age 82, of Hays, went home to be with Jesus, Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at her home. Mrs. Myers was born March 12, 1937 in Watauga County to Edward and Lona Belle Tedder Brewer. She was a member of Rose of Sharon Baptist Church and was a prayer warrior. Bina loved gardening. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, James Brewer, Dean Brewer, sisters, Ella Mae Huggins and Jean Ring; son-in-law, Craig Gambill.

Surviving are her husband, Bill Myers of the home; daughter, Pat Gambill of Hays; sons, Billy Myers and spouse Susan of Millers Creek, Charles Myers and spouse Rachel of Hays; grandchildren, Jamie Gambill of Hays, Anthony Myers and spouse Ashley of Winston Salem, Will Myers of Millers Creek, Acacia Myers of Thomasville, Steven Myers of Hays; great granddaughter, Grace Gambill of Hays.

 Funeral service were held 12:00 p.m. Friday, February 28, 2020 at Rose of Sharon Baptist Church with Rev. Steven Shumate and Rev. Travis Brown officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. The family received friends at Rose of Sharon Baptist Church from 11:00 until 12:00 on Friday, prior to the service. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.millerfuneralservice.com

Pallbearers will be Anthony Myers, Will Myers, Steven Myers, Allen Holbrook, Jim Wood and Bill Gryder.

 Clyde Grady Nickelson, age 83

Clyde Grady Nickelson, age 83, of Millers Creek, passed away Monday, February 24, 2020 at his home. Clyde was born July 12, 1936 in Ashe County to Robnit and Grace Barker Nickelson. He was a member of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church. He loved to garden, loved his plants and trees, and being outdoors. Clyde worked for Lowe’s Co. as a truck driver and 33 years for Skyline Marina as manager. Mr. Nickelson was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Jim Stone.

Surviving are his wife, Dorothy Johnson Nickelson; sons, Clyde Nickelson, Jr. of Ronda, Michael Shane Nickelson of Purlear; daughters, Phyllis Keen of Layton, Utah, Roberta Hadley of Las Vegas, Nevada, Sheree Smith of Victory, Texas; brother, Duane Stone of Millers Creek; nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service were held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 26, 2020 at Miller Funeral Chapel with Rev. Sherrill Wellborn and Randy Gambill officiating. Burial followed in Mountlawn Memorial Park. The family received friends at Miller Funeral Service from 12:00 until 1:00 on Wednesday, prior to the service. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home, PO Box 2777, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.millerfuneralservice.com

 Kaye C. Reid, age 81

Kaye C. Reid, age 81, of Purlear, went home to be with her Lord, Sunday, February 23, 2020 at her home. Kaye was born May 18, 1938 in Wilkes County to E.M. and Iola Church Campbell.  Mrs. Reid was a member of Rock Creek Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Billy Wayne Reid; brother, Bobby Campbell; and sister, Virgie Campbell.

Kaye is survived by her son, Guy Wayne Reid and spouse Lonnitta of Millers Creek; grandson, David Wayne Reid and spouse Jamie of Cary; granddaughter, Ricquell Cooper of Charlotte; great grandson, Gavin Wayne Reid of Cary; brother, James Campbell and spouse Judy of Wilkesboro; sister, Jane Bouchelle and spouse Jim of North Wilkesboro; a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral service were held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 27, 2020 at Rock Creek Church of Christ with Pastor Michael Howard officiating. Private burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Rock Creek Church of Christ Church, c/o Chuck Wallis, 748 Campbell Road, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or to Samaritan Kitchen of Wilkes, PO Box 1072 Wilkesboro, NC 28697. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to www.millerfuneralservice.com

[warcats-cat]

False Idol (Good Omens Fanfic)

Ok, so I was gone for a few days because of family stuff but I am BACK and READY for action. The whole fic IS already written, so it will all be posted; I won’t leave this baby hanging. I just have some family stuff going on that might complicate things. ANYWAY

You can read this bad boy on ao3 as well; or read on Tumblr chapter 1 and chapter 2. As always, my messages are open and receptive to screaming!!! 

Chapter Warnings: Major Depression, refrerences to death, guilt, blood

Chapter 3: Mourning and Memorial

Obviously, no one came to the shop the next day. Or the day after. Aziraphale had sat on the floor for hours, cradling the body of his friend - his love - as it bled out and stained all of his favorite clothes. He held the body and sobbed, and planted a few kisses into the dead demon’s hairline, although it was salty and slick with sweat. After two days of this sobbing, Aziraphale lifted the body with great care, and moved into the back rooms to lay his friend on the couch. He had never understood before why humans shut the eyes of the dead, but now, as he gently pulled down Crowley's eyelids, he thought he might understand. He willed the tea kettle to whistle and found that his access to miracles had been returned; and began to cry anew. He had never thought Gabriel to be so cruel.

Aziraphale waited, thinking, before taking Crowley again in his arms and taking off into the sky. He flew with the body for over an hour, looking for a flowery spot with a nice view.

Aziraphale landed lightly on grassy ground. He would never take Crowley to an actual cemetery, but he wanted to do what humans did when they lost a loved one. He wanted to mourn. Without looking at the ground, he willed a hole in the earth large enough to fit the demon’s tall frame, and laid him with care. But Aziraphale didn’t know what to say. He had never gone to a human funeral, and never had the need to mourn like this. He willed himself to say ‘I love you’ one last time, but his tongue refused to cooperate, and his voice wouldn’t have worked anyway. He just stood in silence for a while, staring out into the flowery field.

Finally, with a wave of his hand, the earth returned to swallow the body of his friend, wrapping around him and covering the place where he lay with wildflowers and grass. Aziraphale found himself exhausted, but now that the burial had taken place, he felt the need to do more .

Aziraphale flew once more, heading in the direction of Crowley’s flat, a place he had only been once. He almost expected Crowley to call out to him as he walked through the threshold, but of course, the apartment was silent. Aziraphale sought out Crowley’s plants first, taking them out to the old Bentley and making space to bring all of them. He found a spare set of Crowley’s sunglasses on a table in what would be a sitting room if the demon had ever had company. The bedroom was the most difficult to enter; silent and yet filled with Crowley’s leftover energy. It smelled like cologne. Aziraphale moved with purpose to the closet, sifting through Crowley’s selection of clothes until he finally pulled free a soft leather jacket. The other had been ruined, but Crowley liked to keep spares of his important things because they frequently found themselves in bad situations. Aziraphale had never been more thankful for the demon’s hoarding.

With what he had come for in the car and in his arms, he miracled the flat empty and newly for rent, and drove back to his shop, to find a new home for his beloved’s car and other important possessions.

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Aziraphale built the box by hand. Glue and nails and wood and glass coming together. He had several splinters by the end of it. For a long time he debated a name plate or some kind of plaque. And yet it didn’t seem like Crowley’s style, and this was all about him. Carefully, the angel patterned out little leaves and flowers along the edges of the wood, before sliding in the front panel of glass. From the back, he carefully laid the Bentley's keys, (now in its forever home at the back of the bookshop where Aziraphale could keep an eye on it), a pair of custom sunglasses, (carefully folded and laid at an angle so the side could be seen as well), and a sleek yet soft leather jacket, (lovingly pinned to the back panel so it could be clearly seen). After a bit of hesitation, he added a little black and white photo the pair had taken when one of the first cameras came to London, just to have Crowley’s image somewhere close. When the work was done, Aziraphale took a long time to appraise his work.

He wondered for a while if Crowley would like it. His heart sank thinking on his old friend; perhaps he should have waited longer to make this. There had been so much more Aziraphale wanted to do; so many sights and tastes and smells. Who knew what humanity was capable of?

And as the days went by, Aziraphale wasn’t sure he wanted to experience them without Crowley. He loved his bookshop, and he loved Creation, of course, but it had only been a few days and he was positively moping ! He couldn’t even sit still long enough to read, he had left cups of tea and coco to go cold countless times, he didn’t even want to go out to his favorite restaurants. Everything felt wrong .

It didn’t help that he felt guilty. He certainly didn’t know how the Battlefield had been tainted, and yet he had been blamed. And the love of his existence had suffered the consequences.

Well, it wouldn’t do to sit and stare at the box for the rest of eternity. He knew exactly how Crowley would feel about where the angel’s train of thought was going, and Aziraphale decided to at least open the shop again. He picked up the fine memorial and hung it with care, right above his antique register counter, and moved to the windows to flip the sign and unlock the door.

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Months went by without significance. It was hard for Aziraphale to find joy in almost everything he used to; he couldn’t focus long enough to read, and almost never finished more than a page before giving up. He went out to fine restaurants on occasion, but never anywhere he had gone with Crowley. His books walked out the door more often than he ever would have allowed before.

And he was tired. Almost constantly.

Aziraphale found himself wandering off to couches or his bed more and more often to sleep; something that had never appealed even after hearing Crowley rave about it. There had always been so much to experience. And he didn’t really even need to sleep. But lately, he was spending time just staring into space, and would realize hours or days later that he hadn’t moved. He would lay down and allow his mind to wander, only to wake up a week later without any knowledge of what was going on around him.

He found himself wanting to sleep.

He found himself wanting to sleep until the end of time itself.

After almost three months of this going on, he closed the shop ‘until further notice’. He felt himself a ghost in his own bookshop; wandering between shelves and dusting them without interest. He made cups of tea that went abandoned at his table or desk, and wasn’t interested in miracling them warm again. All being said, Aziraphale was bored .

And this boredom was leading him to moping .

He knew Crowley wouldn’t have wanted him to mope about, positively listless. But Crowley would have also torn Heaven and Hell apart in rage at Aziraphale’s slaughter (and yes it was a slaughter, although Gabriel could call it retribution all he wanted.) The demon may well have smashed bottles of wine at the Heavenly Gates themselves, fueled by fire that (he would never admit) didn't fully come from Hell. Just the thought of his swaggering, bragging to his angel about his exploits was enough to make Aziraphale smile.

He thought of getting drunk with the demon. Listening to broken words dribble out like a little waterfall in a little brook; tripping words that made sense, albeit loosely. He thought about old dusty bottles of wine and leaning close to his friend in their giggly haze.

“I miss you, you wily old serpent.” he said, mostly to himself. “I miss you incredibly.” Aziraphale let himself pretend that said serpent may really be there, just beyond what his corporeal form could see. He’d said he’s be around after all.

This depression wouldn't do anymore. Aziraphale came slowly to his feet, stretched his shoulders, and straightened his jacket. After taking a moment to tend to Crowley’s beloved plants upstairs, he came down and firmly unlocked the door; the conscious decision that he would have to perk up. For the sake of his friend.

Aziraphale placed himself primly behind the counter and gave a small (noticeably watery) smile to his first customer in several months.

[iowamedia]

Death Notice: Elaine Gustafson

Death Notice: Elaine Gustafson

A funeral service for Elaine Marie (Riessen) Gustafson, 96, of Walcott, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 17, at Calvary United Methodist Church, Walcott. Burial will be in the Walcott Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday, Nov. 16, from 4-7 p.m. at the church. Bentley Funeral Home, Durant, is assisting the family with arrangements.

[ao3feed-lokiangst]

Corpse Bride (Good Omens Au)

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/3kqBdVX

by Eriakali

Anthony J. Crowley and Aziraphale Fellington's families have arranged their marriage. Though they like each other, Crowley is nervous about the ceremony because he has fallen for Aziraphale. After ruining the rehearsal for their wedding Crowley storms off in anger into the forest, while he's in a forest practicing his lines for the wedding, he finally perfected them and puts a ring on what he thought was a tree branch. But it was really a hand that dragged him to the land of the dead. It belongs to Danielle Kimato, a terrifying but beautiful Corpse Bride who was murdered after trying to elope with her love and who wants to marry Crowley who she thinks has come to set her free. Crowley must get back to the Land Of The Living before Aziraphale marries the villainous, Lord Loki Laufeyson.

Words: 3330, Chapters: 3/?, Language: English

Fandoms: Good Omens (TV), Good Omens - Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett, Corpse Bride (2005)

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death

Categories: F/M

Characters: Aziraphale (Good Omens), Crowley (Good Omens), Gabriel (Good Omens), Beelzebub (Good Omens), Adam Young (Good Omens), Hastur (Good Omens), Michael (Good Omens), Ligur (Good Omens), Uriel (Good Omens), Madame Tracy (Good Omens), Sandalphon (Good Omens), Sergeant Shadwell (Good Omens), The Bentley (Good Omens), Newton Pulsifer, Anathema Device, Brian (Good Omens), Pippin Galadriel (Good Omens), Original Male Character(s), Loki (Marvel), Satan | Lucifer (Good Omens)

Relationships: Aziraphale/Crowley (Good Omens), Crowley (Good Omens)/Original Female Character(s)

Additional Tags: Female Aziraphale (Good Omens), She/Her Pronouns for Aziraphale (Good Omens), He/Him Pronouns For Crowley (Good Omens), Character Death, Death, Murder, Alternate Universe, Alternate Universe - Fantasy, Alternate Universe - Human, Alternate Universe - Victorian, Arranged Marriage, Mistaken for Being in a Relationship, Unexpected marriage, angst with happy ending, Mature Stuff May Happen Don't Know Yet, Improper burial, Ineffable Husbands (Good Omens), IneffableHusbandKindOf, Genderbending, Female Beelzebub (Good Omens), Gabriel And Uriel Are Married, Gabriel is Aziraphale's Older Brother, Uriel Is Aziraphale's Sister In Law, Beelzebub Is Crowley's Older Sister, Hastur Is Crowley's Older Brother, Female Aziraphale is Victoria, Crowley is Victor, My OC will be The Corpse Bride/Emily, Loki From Marvel Ciniamatic Universe is Barkis Bitten, Newton is The Maggot, Anathema is the Black Widow, Not a Crossover With Marvel Loki is just starring in this cause he's a good villain, Lucifer/Satan Is Elder Gutknecht, Inspired by Corpse Bride (2005)

read it on the AO3 at https://ift.tt/3kqBdVX

[rushnaf]

Burial Of The Car

Burial Of The Car

One of the richest and most powerful men in Brazil, made waves when he announced plans to bury his million-dollar Bentley, so he could drive around his afterlife in style. He received lots of media attention, mostly negative and was severely criticized for the extravagant gesture and wasting of a precious commodity. Why wouldn’t he donate the car to charity? How out of touch with reality is this…