Hey C…this is V. (this was our greeting joke to address each other). When I got the news I dropped to the floor and just lost it. My mind immediately start churning…”oh no, not C” This was my buddy, my road dog, my friend. It was like flashback when I started remembering all the fun times like they were yesterday. How I wish it was still so. As I tried to regain my composure your voice came to me saying “Now Vickie Turner…” It was strong, caring and in the tone of the giving friend you have always been. You wouldn’t want me to cry, but to be strong and know that everything is alright, you are alright, and you are okay. You are that kind of friend – always considering others and never wanting anyone to worry about you.
We hadn’t seen each other in a while, but I can always remember and will never forget “back in the day” We met at Ernst & Whinney (now E&Y) and you immediately brought me into the fold. You were the glue for our crew. You had me playing on a company softball team and LAWD knows I am no athlete. Regardless of my lack of athletic ability, you were always encouraging and kept me and the team pumped up. You had us going on road trips and supporting the guy’s team at tournaments. You were the number one cheerleader and we just tried to follow your lead and chimed right in with you. We had great fun.
Softball was just one of the many memories we had....fish frys, SuperBowl Parties, Basketball Final watch, BBQs, impromptu dinners, birthday celebrations, etc. We spent so much time together we were always between each other’s home. You were a part of my family and I was a part of yours. You get the award for “World’s Best Auntie” Those babies were your heart and at the time I had a baby niece as well and you loved on her just as much. You gave her the tag name “Chatty”and even later in our life as she is now 32, each time we talked you always asked about “Chatty” Our family also remembers how you used to make us that homemade bread during the holidays and we talk of it often. We had some good times C.
We were Sorors as well. Even though I didn’t go to Clark, you included me in everything at Clark. You introduced me to so many people that till this day I have them as great friends because of you. Having not gone to an HBCU I looked forward to Clark’s Homecoming every year. It was new to me to go to the yard and step and sing with the Sorors. We toured your college dorm and just walked through the campus. I was with you at so many Clark functions that people begin to think I too went to Clark. We went to the games, tailgates, pre-party, after-party, breakfast, and even weddings of people that went to Clark and so on. It didn’t stop and I thank you for that experience.
I could go on and on reminiscing about our good times. To get through each day, that is exactly what I will continue to do. I will miss you, and my strength will come from knowing you are at peace, you are okay, and GOD blessed me to have you in my life. You have been the best friend anyone could ever ask for. You were not only a very smart and wise women, you demonstrated characteristics that are an example for others to follow – classy, humble, generous, caring, dedicated…and the list goes on. Farewell my friend, my buddy, my C. Love you and miss you much.
V