And as the sun set, they paused to remember
By Melinda Harrell and Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on May 17, 2015 1:50 AM
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Ladders and luminarias dotted the grounds of the fairgrounds -- memorials, tributes and a sign that hope never loses its light.
Some stood still with heads bowed, some embraced, and some simply looked on as hundreds of luminarias lit up the night sky one by one Friday night at the Wayne County Relay for Life.
Inside each little bag was a glow -- representing a memorial, a tribute or a hope that one day there would be no need for luminarias at all.
And amid the tears that accompanied the memories of loved ones lost or battles still being fought, there were smiles and laughter as well -- mini-celebrations of life.
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Sisters Frankye Watson and Jackye Cushing know all too well the losses that cancer can bring.
They have mourned, twice.
"I am here because I have lost two sisters and members of our church," Frankye said just before the luminaria ceremony began.
White bags represented their sisters, Bobbi Wade Padgett and Johnnie Dohman.
Jonnie lived only a short while after her ovarian cancer diagnosis, Jackye said.
"She was funny and fun to be around. She loved her family. She had a son and daughter, and they both miss her very much," she said.
Son Michael was 18 and going off to college when Jonnie died in 1999, and her daughter April was only 8 years old.
"It was extremely hard," Jackye said about learning of her sister's diagnosis and the family's loss.
But they have not forgotten. She is with them.
"We have had luminaries at Relay in memory of her every year since," Jackye said.
Jonnie is also the reason Frankye became so involved with Relay for Life.
A member of the Brogden United Methodist Church, Frankye is one of the main organizers of the church's Relay booth. Their specialty is apple jacks and barbecue.
Their other sister, Bobbi, died in 2012 from lung cancer.
"She loved to travel and loved her family as well. She just loved being around people," Jackye said.
Bobbi was diagnosed with lung cancer in the fall of 2011, but Jackye said Bobbi wanted to live to see her 60th birthday.
"She had a big party when she turned 60," Jackye said. "She died that October."
Jackye says the luminaria ceremony keeps her sisters' memories alive, but it also creates something else, too..
The hope for a cure.
"It says we are thinking about them, always thinking about them and we know we will see them again one day," she said.
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Pat Leach was reluctant to admit that her own struggle with cancer was tough.
Diagnosed with breast cancer, Ms. Leach underwent three surgeries and radiation treatment.
She has been cancer-free for four years now, but during the luminaria ceremony she was not thinking about her own battle.
"I don't feel like a survivor, but I am," Ms. Leach said. "Compared to all the other people, I was extremely blessed. I lost an uncle, sister and friends to cancer."
That is what she was remembering during the luminaria ceremony, those who were lost.
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Elizabeth Rose joined Heart of David Ministries for the luminaria ceremony.
She felt guilty about taking the Survivors Lap. She thinks her battle with cancer was an easy one.
Ms. Rose has chronic leukemia, but she has been in remission for four years.
"It always makes me choke up," she said, watching the lights.
But for Vicki Terrell, it was a good feeling.
She lit her luminaria as a celebration and victory over Stage 3 colon cancer.
"It just feels so good," she said.
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Shirley Hardison cracked a glow stick and placed it in a bag.
The white light made the luminaria glow steadily.
It was one of many on a ladder in honor of her husband, Willard Hardison.
The ladder was decorated with a Bible, suit and photos of the retired minister.
"It just makes me so thankful," she said.
In 1991, Hardison was diagnosed with prostate cancer. His battle was made more difficult with the treatment.
"Radiation just cooked him," she said. "He has suffered a lot."
In August, the couple will be married for 64 years.
She says the luminaria ceremony always makes her reflect.
"I'm just so thankful, he's still here with me."