I took care of him for three years until he was able to walk again but he never regained his speech. The night of June 10, 1969 he asked me, by sign, to kneel down in front of him. My father lay his hand on my head, looked up to heaven and said, 'Jesus'. I was so relieved knowing that after three years Pappy was talking again. After he did that he went to bed saying my name, "Ann", over and over again until he stopped.

I didn't know my father died at that moment. I let him sleep until ten o'clock the next day.My aunt thought it was strange that he was still sleeping. She went to look at him. She said, "I don't think Pappy is sleeping. I think he is dead."

Pappy was sixty-two years old when he died. Life without my Pappy was difficult. But 1always remember what he said before he died, when he blessed me and said "Jesus". It has given me comfort and peace. I was fourteen years old. I believe God allowed my father to speak and he is still watching over me.