To my husband Al, the first love of my life, until I realized the first place in my heart belonged to God and the next for you. For the fifth chapter of Ephesians describes the great mystery of God’s plan for a more perfect union in marriage. When a man leaves his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, they two shall be one flesh. (Ephesians 5:31-32) This is the only both spiritual and mathematical equation where one plus one equals one. Our journey through life’s greatest mystery together that began nearly 50 years ago, from 1960 to 2009 did not come to an end on Sunday, May 31st. The journey continues as a living legacy through our family. Thank you for holding fast to your testimony of baptism, when you were very young attending Progressive Baptist Church, you were led of God to be baptized. My sister Lucille loves to tell the following story about, while your mother, Sadie, was styling her hair when we lived in Ida B. Wells, your family at 615 East 37th Street and my family at 616 E. 37th Place. You looked out your back door and saw a girl jumping rope and said, “That’s the girl I’m going to marry”. My sister said, “That girl’s my sister”. You said, “I don’t care, she’s going to be my wife.” Affirming, our union must have been ordained by God. I, remain committed to share the many both natural and spiritual legacies gained in our union over the years to try and help obtain and sustain God’s plan for a more perfect union, the family. We have been blessed with six wonderful children, 12 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren and another on the way. While reading the bible on October 23, 1972 and after giving birth to our 5th child, I received one of the greatest gifts to pass on to every parent. The scripture read “Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.” (Proverbs 17:6) Thus, thank you for leaving a living legacy of a father for our children and their children’s children to remember and carry on. I will see you again in eternity. My true love always, Pat To those we love and see each day And other loved ones far away. To all good friends who mean so much And those with whom we’re out of touch. Lord bless those we love every day Be they near or far away. Bless those good friends who mean so much And those with whom we are out of touch. We take them all to God in prayer And ask Him to keep them in His care. Dr. Eugene T. Speller, Author