Bethesda News: A former Sunday school student has made us proud with purchase of funeral home in Chapel Hill

Thought for the week — Above ALL LOVE each other deeply, because LOVE covers over a multitude of sins. 

Those of you who have known me over the years know how I feel when I hear, as well as see, how well former students, as well as our young men and women, who are the children of friends, excel in their future doing what they have dreamed of doing in order to fulfill their life. That is just how I felt when I learned that Casey Stephens had purchased Lawrence Funeral Home, in Chapel Hill. I feel so close to Casey, as I taught him in Sunday school, at Mt. Carmel C.P. Church, and then was privileged to work with him at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home and Gardens for over 13 years.

I recently had the privilege to meet with Casey at Lawrence Funeral Home to talk with him about this VISION. He had NOTHING but PRAISE for ALL the values and knowledge of the funeral home business, that he received from his late grandfather, Clyde Stephens Jr., and his precious MeMaw, Nellie Jo Stephens, as well as his parents, David (Dawn) Stephens and Laurie Stephens.

He wants EACH of you and your families in Williamson County, Marshall County, and surrounding areas to know that he is ALWAYS available to help you with your funeral arrangements or pre-planning. He also wants you to know that they can conduct services in other cemeteries.

He also made a point to let it be known that ALL of the STAFF at Lawrence Funeral Home are still there to help you as well. They are Tommy Howell, Bill Preston, Kevin Pratt, Larry Curtis, and Sandra Hill.

Casey has had 16 years in the funeral business. He wants to give a SPECIAL” thanks” to the city of Chapel Hill and ALL of their citizens for “Welcoming” him. He said, “They have REALLY made me feel WELCOMED!”

Of course, without a supporting wife and sons, he knows it would not be as easy to carry on with his passion. That is just how Cristy, Everett, Nolan, and Wyatt, have made him feel.

I, personally, want to say “Congratulations” to Casey and ALL the staff at Lawrence Funeral Home. Just by looking at him you could see the love in his eyes he has for what he is doing. His LOVE and COMPASSION just show through him.

Best of Luck to Casey and his staff at Lawrence Funeral Home in Chapel Hill, TN.

Thanks to EACH of you who supported the Bethesda Masonic Lodge this past Saturday for their annual “Country Breakfast”. I apologize for not having it in my column, but was not aware of it. (The flyer got misplaced in the mail.) We do appreciate Trade Time for helping us get the word out.

Our prayers are still going strong for Tyler Poteete, who has been in Vanderbilt Hospital CCU for the past two weeks. They have NOT determined what is causing his illness. They are continuing with treatments to try and determine what is causing his seizures, etc. Please add him to your prayer chain if you have not already done so.

 They have had him in an induced coma in order for his brain to relax as he has had numerous seizures. The doctors are still trying to determine what the cause is. Right now they are saying “autoimmune system”. He is the son of Terry and Kelli (Pedrick) Poteete and the brother of Logan and Sophia Poteete. Of course his grandparents, Pam Pedrick and LaWanda and Terry Poteete, have been by his side during this time. I am asking that you continue to pray for him as well as EACH of his family members.

Please mark your calendar for Easter Sunday Sunrise Services as my column will not be in the paper again until AFTER Easter. They will begin at 6:15 a.m. as the sun is to rise at 6:17a.m. Community pastors, as well as Lay Leaders, will be in charge. They will be held at the Charlie Bennett Bethesda Ballpark. (You may want to take your chairs.)

I do not think, in our 66 years of marriage, that I have EVER seen my husband, Russell, surprised, but I was able to witness this recently at the Bethesda Senior Citizen’s monthly luncheon. Pat McMahon, a volunteer with the “Quilts of Valor Foundation,” presented him with the most beautiful handmade quilt. They are presented to Veterans who have served in ANY Branch of the Military. This quilt honors them with comforting and healing. He was wrapped with this beautiful quilt and then honored by ALL the members of the Center. Thanks, Pat, for this GREAT honor. Should you have a family member who has served, please contact Pat so she can get the necessary information and present them one later. Her number is 615-595-9898.

This past Saturday when I heard about the two young men from Brentwood who were killed in a fiery car accident I immediately said a prayer for the families. I had NO idea that it was a family member of my own. How shocked and deeply saddened when I learned that he was Joshua Curlee,19-year-old son of Donnie Curlee and Peter Chin. He is the brother of Daniel Curlee, as well as grandson of my first cousin Linda Frost Beck, and nephew of Denise (Stan) Hardcastle. He is a graduate of Bentwood High School, class of 2022. Our deepest sympathy is extended to EACH family member.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 8. This is the date for a Benefit for the family of Derrick Werner. It will be held from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. at 5194 Flat Creek Road, Spring Hill. It is being sponsored by Caleb Hickman, Chip Hood, Jeff Sweeney, as well as others. Food will be provided by Lazy Hog with LIVE music by the Kentucky Linemen Band. They will also have a Silent Auction as well as a LIVE one. The admission is $20, which includes raffle tickets for some AWESOME prizes. (This will be over by the time my next column is printed so PLEASE mark your calendar.)

Do you realize that it is time for Mule Day in Columbia? It begins on Thursday, March 30, and ends on April 2. The four-day event celebrates Columbia’s heritage as the “Mule Capital of the World,” featuring mule shows and competition, arts and crafts, live music, food, concessions, a wagon train, a parade and so much more. It is centered in the Maury County Park with things kicking off on Thursday the 30th. You can visit muletownlocal.com for more info.

“Happy 100th Birthday” to a VERY SPECIAL lady who recently was honored. She is Mrs. Christine Pigg. I understand she was recently honored at the Enrichment Center, with family and friends stopping by to “Wish her well” as well as” Continued health and happiness”. She is one of the most beautiful ladies that I have met since coming back home in ’74. She is as pretty on the inside as she is on the outside. To you ,”Miss” Christine, I say ,”May God continue to bless you as HE has 100 years.” I LOVE the smile you ALWAYS have when I see you.

Members of Holts Corner Baptist Church wanted me to let you know that you are invited to their Revival that will begin Sunday, March 26 and continue EACH evening through March 30. On the 26th they will begin at 6 p.m., but during the week they will begin at 7p.m. On Sunday evening, Phil Waldrop will be delivering the message, Monday night, Jousha Franks will be the speaker, Tuesday night, Tim McGhee will be the speaker, Wednesday night, you can hear David McConnell and Thursday night, Al Patterson will bring you the message. Larry Chatman is pastor of the church and he will be there to “Welcome” you.

A BIG THANK YOU to our Williamson County Highway and Road Crew for the EXCELLENT job they are doing with the paving of Byrd Lane. At this writing it appears that they are just about complete and it looks GREAT. Again, THANKS!

We continue to ask for prayers for those of our area who are in the hospital, rehab centers, home recovering, etc. Please continue to pray for Judy Pitt, Tyler Poteete, Nancy Conway, Judy Hayes, Pat Marlin, Katie Giles, Brenda and Jimmy Thompson, Delores and David Gilreath, Elaine Glenn, Brad Ray, Ruby Thorpe, Faye Borum, Fred Brown, Elaine McBride, Dodie Hazelwood, Joyce Bush, Mary Dean, Mattie Marlin, Nellie Stephens, Jerry Gillespie, Candy Miyake, Lillie Buford, Brylee Crutcher, Tom Wright, Dugan Reed, Susie Bennett, Leola Glenn, Lulu Heithcock, Donnie Cameron, Mary Dean, Joyce Bush, as well as others whom we are not aware of.

To those families who have recently lost loved ones our deepest sympathy is extended. We attended the funeral of Frankie Compton of Lewisburg this past week. She used to play the piano for the Stephens Quartet years ago, also to the families of Joshua Curlee, as well as the 14-year-old young man that was in the car with him, Sarah Jean Johnaon, Eddie Marshall Jr., Bill Clyde Pewitt Jr.,Mable Louise Osborne Sullivan, Collier Dawson, Billie Ulmer, mother of our son-in-law, Jo-el Ulmer, Deborah Kaye Boan, retired teacher from FSSD as well as others.