In the summer of 1963, my Father, Jim, met my Mother, Cecelia working behind the lunch counter at Pike's Drug Store in Charlotte. At that time, she had prepared balloons with price tags inside them and had them hanging from a string across the counter. A customer was to choose a balloon, and whatever the price tag inside said, was how much you paid for your ice cream. Since Momma had prepared the balloons, she knew which one had what price tag inside. They ranged from one penny, all the way up to 39 cents. When she asked my Daddy to pick a balloon, he asked her to choose it for him. She always chose the penny balloon for him.

On Christmas Eve of 1963, he worked up the courage to call and ask her for a date. She accepted. She always told us how handsome he was when he arrived wearing a camel hair coat, slacks, and Bass "Weejuns" with red "Gold Cup" socks. 

They were married just a short time later on May 29, 1964.

My Mother miscarried her first son, James Jr. "Jim", and grieved for him her entire life. To help her cope with this loss, she grew to admire the work of "The Holy Angels" of Belmont, NC, an organization that helps dibilitated children and their families, and donated some of her time to help them.  She was blessed to later deliver 3 daughters, Jennifer Ann, Karen Diane, Susan Lynn and finally, a son, William David "Bill".

She was a loving and devoted Wife and Mother who cared for her family very well. As we grew into adults and began to have families of our own, she was a loving and devoted Grandmother, who spoiled her grandchildren in many ways, especially with her talent for cooking and baking. She always went above and beyond for our entire family in the kitchen, always making enough to feed an "Army", as we liked to joke about. 

She not only raised us to the best of her abilities, she also cared for and loved many children in her lifetime in her profession as a "Nanny", by whom she is affectionately known as "CeCe". Her home is still adorned with photographs of each of her "kids" as they grew up. When her duties to them ended, her love for them continued and she spoke of them often.

In October of 1992, My Mother had a serious Heart attack and by the grace of God, was saved in time. She was also diagnosed with Diabetes at that time. She learned as much as she could to try to care for her health properly so that she would live long enough to see her grandchildren grow up. She often worked long, tireless hours and no matter the strain it put on her, she always made sure that her family was cared for properly and of course, well fed!

We have watched these diseases slowly deteriorate her health and abilities, and no matter the exhaustion or pain she may have felt, she still pushed herself through so as not to lose the ability to care for us all. She made all holidays a very special part of our lives and always made sure each of us had a home made birthday cake of our favorite flavors. I think if we all took a poll on what she was best known for, the first thought that would come to mind would be COOKING or BAKING. Secondly, but not less important....

Our Mother was the very epitome of Mrs. Merry Christmas, and in fact, in our eyes, she IS Santa Claus.

 What I would like for each of you to remember is that she loved you...each in her own way.

She is now our guardian angel in Heaven and we know she will watch over us. I find comfort in knowing that after many years of weariness and pain, she is no longer suffering and after many years of sorrowand grief, she is finally reunited with her Mother, her Father and is able to hold her baby son. Her love for us all will continue, for, she lives within us all.

If you feel you would like to contribute to any organization in honor of her memory, we would be grateful. A monetary donation to help in the research of heart disease or diabetes would be appreciated, for the research of those organizations allowed the medical technology that gave us over 20 extra years with our Mother.  A donation of time or help , or a monetary donation to "The Holy Angels" in Belmont, NC would be a great honor as well, as they had a special place in her heart.