Pastor's Blog

Nellie “Nell” Rose Mulkey, a native of Soddy, Tennessee and a resident of Grand Bay, Alabama for 53 years, went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Tuesday, April 21, 2015. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Stancil Mulkey, her mother, Pearl Reese Rose and her beloved pastor, Rev. Jack Williams. She is survived by her loving and devoted daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Jerry Francisco of Grand Bay, Alabama and her precious son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Geraldine Mulkey of Hixson, Tennessee. Two grandson and families, Glenn and Susan Mulkey of Ringgold, Georgia and Randall and Lisa Mulkey of Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee, two great-granddaughters Hannah and Sarah Grace Mulkey of Ringgold, Georgia. She is also survived by her “chosen daughter”, Annette Williams of Grand Bay, Alabama and her children, Stacey Williams Waldrop and family, Stephen and Tyler Williams and Jon Williams and family. She was greatly loved and affectionately known as “Nannie Nell”. Mrs. Mulkey is also survived by her “Hardee” buddies, Martha Jo Kittrell and family. She and Jo had a special table reserved at Hardee and a special friendship that continued through her years. Every year, her birthday was celebrated with her favorite coconut cake made by Jo and surrounded by her friends and family. She loved her caretakers at Grand Bay Convalescent Home and always thanked them for everything they did for her. We are very grateful for the excellent care and love that was extended to her and to us. Mrs. Mulkey was known as the “Avon Lady” in Grand Bay for 38 years. Many friendships were made and sustained that spanned generations during this wonderful time of her life. She continued to receive many cards from her special customers. She was instrumental in starting and paying off the mortgages of churches. Many plates of food were sold and delivered by her to provide funds for churches. She was the Sunday school treasurer for many years. Her love of playing the piano and organ with her God-given talent filled many churches with blessed music. Nothing brought her greater joy than playing the organ along with her daughter playing the piano. She was always quick to sing her special song, “Thank you Lord for your blessings on me”. She traveled many miles to hear gospel singing and she especially loved “Greater Vision” as well as other groups. Nothing was more precious to her than her Lord and her family. She was such a loving and giving person and always eager to help others. Words cannot express how much she will be missed by family and friends, but we find comfort in knowing where she will spend eternity. She will once again be united with the love of her life. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, 2015 at Friendship Baptist Church, 12581 Saeger Rd, Grand Bay, AL. Funeral services will be held at the church with Rev. Teddy Turrentine officiating on Friday, April 24, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow in Grand Bay Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Glenn Mulkey, Randall Mulkey, Thurman Kittrell, Alex Kittrell, Tyler Williams, Jon Luke Williams, Stephen Williams and Jonathan Williams.

Sometime around midnight last night, Miss Nell Mulkey went to be with the Lord.  Tentative plans call for a visitation with the family tomorrow night, 4/23, and a service on Friday morning, 4/24.  Everything will take place from the auditorium of Friendship Baptist Church.  Pray for the family as they walk through this valley.

Today’s Bible reading – Joshua 24:1-33 Luke 21:1-28 Psalm 89:38-52 Proverbs 13:20-23

Herbert Benefield is scheduled for surgery at some point today.  Also, the indicators point to him having meningitis.  He will most likely be in the hospital for the next two or three days as they try to get him well.

As I write this early in the AM, I am not aware of any change in Miss Nell’s situation.  She has definitely outlived the medical personnel’s expectations.  The hospice nurse is scheduled to check her today.

The signs are positive on the young boy from Jeanette Bates’ class.  They are keeping him heavily sedated.  Per Tina W’s comment on yesterday’s blog (and Jeanette’s e-mail to me), Candy P is keeping everyone updated regularly as she is very involved with this family.

Lisa and I attended the visitation with the C.V. Barrett family yesterday afternoon.  It had been years since we had seen his children – Donna, Debra & David.

As far as I know, Becky continues to do well in tolerating her latest round of chemo.  I saw Rusty last night but did not ask him about Becky.  (Dave, send me an update, please)

Regular schedule this morning and tonight.  The fare for the 7:30PM Bible study is burgers and dogs from the grill.  The study will be from Hebrews 2.

Our prayer meeting attendance last night was good but it was down from the previous week.  I can certainly see why folks would want to stay at home and be outside on such a beautiful day weather wise.  We had no new prayer warriors last night so that hurt us as well.  I am very grateful to those folks who showed up last night and have shown up since we started in January.  (I am looking/praying about adjusting the times because of the extended daylight hours but have not reached any conclusions at this point)

TNBA was good last night even though Doug did not show up.  He prayed in the very back corner as far away from me as he could possibly get last night.  It appears fear has gripped him on this one!

Happy 45th birthday to David & Kim French’s son, Jason Husband!  (He is also the son of Doug & Joy Sanford as they have joint custody!)  At any rate, if you did not know, today is Jason’s birthday.  (How could you not know if you have attended any of our services in the last two weeks?)

I am trying to connect with Louise Mason from Arkansas.  I sent her an e-mail yesterday but failed to realize they only get internet on Thursdays in the land of the Hogs.  So, maybe I will hear from her on Thursday?

I pray that you will have a great Wednesday with Jesus.

Today’s Bible reading – Joshua 22:21-23:16 Luke 20:27-47 Psalm 89:14-37 Proverbs 13:17-19

Herbert Benefield is really having a difficult time.  He saw the doctor yesterday and another surgery was scheduled for tomorrow, 4/22. However, when Herbert got home he began to run an elevated temperature and now has an appointment with the doctor this morning.  Herbert is thinking the doctor may admit him today.  Pray for all of this to get sorted out and for Herbert to get well.

Miss Nell Mulkey has been moved to the family room in the convalescent home.  On Sunday night, the nurses felt she was down to only a couple hours in this life.  As I visited her yesterday around 10:30AM, she was resting peacefully.  Pray for Sandra, Jerry & Annette as they now are sitting with her around the clock.  God knows.

Eula Mae Blackmon’s sister, Juanita, did not get a favorable report from her PET scan yesterday.  She will be taking chemotherapy but she cannot get a port until May 7.

Brenda Timberlake’s sister, Lisa, got a report relating to her cancer that was more encouraging.

Visited with Thomas Bailey yesterday morning.  He was walking the halls of the hospital.  He did not seem to think that the doctor is going to discharge him tomorrow.  He is much improved but they are still doing tests.

I do not have an update on the student in Jeanette Bates’ class but do know he remains in a Pensacola hospital.

Ross & Betty Clair secured their airline tickets yesterday along with making their hotel reservations for India.  Little Helen’s life is about to make a major change!

With all of these needs listed above, why not come join us for prayer meeting tonight from 5:00 – 7:00PM?   It is a “come and go” or “come and stay.”  Some folks are in and out in about ten/fifteen minutes while others stay around an hour.  Lord willing, I will be there for the duration and will be happy to pray with/for anyone.  Let’s set a new attendance high tonight but, much more importantly, let’s reach God with our prayers.

TNBA takes place tonight beginning at 7:00PM for any man who attended at least one of our worship services this past Sunday.  Will this be the night that Doug shakes off his fear?

How did UPW do last night?  Do you have to ask?  Bottom of the first inning and he calls “ball on the tee” while the coach is clearly holding the ball in his hand!  Enough said!  I can report that Scott Fontenot has advised State Representative David Sessions of this fiasco!  Could a bill regarding UPW be forthcoming in the House?

Was able to get in the garden for a little over an hour yesterday afternoon.  The rains cost me three or four pepper plants.  My corn is struggling because it is on the lower side which is still too wet to work.  It felt really good to just “play in the dirt!”

Speaking of feeling good, walked outside at 3:00AM this morning and the temperature was awesome and the stars were sparkling!  God is good!

I pray that you will have a great Tuesday with Jesus.

Today’s Bible reading – Joshua 21:1-22:20 Luke 20:1-26 Psalm 89:1-13 Proverbs 13:15-16

Tuesday, 4/21 – Joshua 22:21-23:16 Luke 20:27-47 Psalm 89:14-37 Proverbs 13:17-19

Wednesday, 4/22 – Joshua 24:1-33 Luke 21:1-28 Psalm 89:38-52 Proverbs 13:20-23

Thursday, 4/23 – Judges 1:1-2:9 Luke 21:29-22:13 Psalm 90:1-91:16 Proverbs 13:24-25

Friday, 4/24 – Judges 2:10-3:31 Luke 22:14-34 Psalm 92:1-93:5 Proverbs 14:1-2

Saturday, 4/25 – Judges 4:1-5:31 Luke 22:35-53 Psalm 94:1-23 Proverbs 14:3-4

Sunday, 4/26 – Judges 6:1-40 Luke 22:54-23:12 Psalm 95:1-96:13 Proverbs 14:5-6

A blessed day in our services yesterday.  What a joy to welcome Joe & Teresa Hanson back into the Friendship family on statement.  God gives the increase and we give Him all of the glory!

Herbert Benefield goes to the doctor today.  It is possible that he could be taken back into surgery.

Visited Miss Mulkey yesterday afternoon.  Really no change in her situation.

Ross & Betty Clair Hatcher were given the go ahead on making their travel plans to go to India in order to bring their daughter, Helen, home.  Praise the Lord!  So, soon Ross & Betty Clair will be bringing two daughters to church.

Grief Share meets tonight at 6:00PM.

Prayer meeting tomorrow night from 5:00 – 7:00PM.  TNBA tomorrow night for those guys who attended at least one of our services yesterday.

What an absolutely beautiful afternoon weather wise yesterday!  After a week of rain, it was certainly good to see the sunshine.  God is good!  I, like others, am itching to get back in the garden.

It is Monday which means Titus has a tee ball game tonight which means I will have to endure another hour of UPW!  Pray for me!

I pray that you will have a great Monday with Jesus.

Today’s Bible reading – Joshua 19:1-20:9 Luke 19:28-48 Psalm 88:1-18 Proverbs 13:12-14

The hospital told Lisa when she called yesterday that Caroline was being discharged.  I did not confirm that but hope it was true.

Lisa and I visited with Miss Nell Mulkey yesterday afternoon.  She seemed to be lower to me then she has been.  I did not see her on Friday but there was a definite difference from Thursday to Saturday.

Rumor has it that Becky may have tried to do a bit too much this week.  I will get an update from Dave today.

Jeanette will update me on Anthony this morning.

Regular schedule this morning and evening.  Lord willing, I will be preaching all three services.  I hope to be joined by many members of the Friendship family.

I could actually walk in my garden late yesterday afternoon without sinking.  Obviously not ready to be worked but hopefully by mid week I can make it a Santa Claus garden again.

I pray that you will have a great Sunday with Jesus.  Go to church!

Today’s Bible reading – Joshua 16:1-18:28 Luke 19:1-27 Psalm 87:1-7 Proverbs 13:11

The funeral service for Billy Anderson, Bill & Jackie Goff’s son-in-law, takes place today at 2:00PM from the auditorium of Union Baptist Church.  It will be preceded by an hour of visitation with the family.

Roseanne Baria was discharged from the hospital yesterday.  (So much for my opinion!)  I think it is pretty amazing considering the extent of the surgery she went through on Wednesday.

The young boy, Anthony, in Jeanette Bates’ class had to have emergency surgery on Thursday night but was doing remarkably well yesterday.  Jeanette went to visit him in Pensacola on Thursday afternoon which is a very considerate thing for a school teacher to do.  Again, the SS class taught by Sonny Bates is helping this family.

Lisa and I visited Caroline Ford in the hospital.  Indications are that she will come home today.  I am going to say “no” but my track record on these matters is not too good (see Roseanne Baria) right now.  I do know that Caroline wants to come home!

Spoke to Thomas Bailey’s wife via the phone yesterday.  It now appears he could be discharged from the hospital this coming Friday.  He is doing well.

Amazingly, we were able to get the entire fifteen acres mowed yesterday.  I had to use the push mower for a couple of hours due to the wetness of the ground but that was fine.  (Took me back to my childhood days when I only dreamed of having a riding mower)  I offered Soy the opportunity to use the push mower but he said that he did not know how to use it.

We had very, very little rain on the hill yesterday so the garden is slowly drying out.  The forecast calls for some pretty good rainfall totals today and tomorrow so it may be the middle of next week before I get back in the garden.  Right now, you sink big time as soon as you attempt to get in it.

Coach Eric Collier did well in getting Ingram to sign with Bama yesterday.  Way to go Coach!

A funeral, a wedding and study time today.

I pray that you will have a great Saturday with Jesus.

Today’s Bible reading – Joshua 15:1-63 Luke 18:18-43 Psalm 86:1-17 Proverbs 13:9-10

Rachel Jackson’s nephew, Phillip, begins his bone marrow transplant today in Atlanta.  His younger sister is the donor.  He should be in the hospital for around the next three months.

My plan is to do some mowing today but as of right now, 2:15AM, it is raining at the house.  Yesterday afternoon provided an opportunity to do some mowing but there was not enough time between the end of the work day and Titus’ tee ball game last night.  Maybe later today I can do some mowing even if it is with the push mower.  Time will tell.

BTW, as far as I know, we had no rain at the house yesterday which was the first day this week that has been true.  I do not question God as He definitely knows what He is doing.

Speaking of tee ball, last night Riley Reynolds smashes a ball into left field.  Probably going to be at least a triple, maybe a home run.  Great hit!  However, our favorite umpire, Pee Wee, steps in and calls “no pitch!”  No pitch?  Folks, it is tee ball!  The ball is on a tee!  There is never a pitch!  UPW (umpire Pee Wee) said the pitcher was not on the mound.  Really?  There is no pitcher!  Why does President Jack Lastorka allow this to happen week after week?  I may write Senator Sessions!  (Or at least call David Sessions!)

I am predicting that Alabama and Auburn will both win their respective football games tomorrow!  I just hope no players get injured.

I pray that you will have a great Friday with Jesus.

5/17/1942-4/16/2015 Billy Lamar Anderson, age 72, a longtime resident of Grand Bay, AL passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2015. He retired from Chevron after 27 years of service. He was preceded in death by his parents and step father, Billie Anderson, Helen and Cecil “Boots” Jordon. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, P.J., children, Alicia (Pat) Johnson, Larry Anderson, Lael (Barry) Bosarge, Chip (Sheena) Anderson, Sybil Raye (Trent Cook) Anderson, numerous foster children, 3 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, brother, Ken Anderson, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to American Cancer Society or Alabama Baptist Children’s Home in his name. Funeral service will be held at Union Baptist Church on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 2 pm with visitation 1 pm until service time. Interment will be in Union Baptist Church Cemtery.

Herbert Benefield continues to have problems with headaches whenever he sits up.  This is due to a leakage of spinal fluid.  The doctor has given him some new medication to help with this problem but it does not stop by Monday then the doctor will have to go back in to correct the problem.

The young boy in Jeanette Bates’ class was air lifted to a Pensacola, FL hospital today.  He is really, really sick.  The Sunday School class taught by Sonny Bates is doing some things to help financially and food wise for the family.

Caroline Ford was admitted to the hospital yesterday afternoon.  Obviously, she is a sick lady or she would not allow them to admit her to the hospital.  What is wrong with her?  Not enough room on the internet for me to list it all.

Roseanne Baria “could” be discharged from the hospital tomorrow.  However, being the doctor that I am, I see Saturday being a more likely discharge date.

Thomas Bailey is now in a room and is doing much better.  We talked of spiritual matters today and he realizes God has spared his life.  His words to me today were, “I am not lucky, I am blessed!”  Amen!

Miss Mulkey’s situation continues to be that proverbial roller coaster ride.

Bill & Jackie Goff’s son-in-law, Billy Anderson, passed away early this morning.  I am going to post the obit.  The service will take place at 2:00PM this Saturday, 4/18, preceded by an hour of visitation.

Ready for some good news?  Mckenzie Hyatt was discharged from the hospital today.  PTL!