When my husband, Bill, and I moved back home to Pensacola in 2000 after living in Tallahassee for a few years, we visited several Methodist churches before worshiping at Cokesbury. That Sunday, 19 years ago, when we walked into the sanctuary here, I turned to Bill and said, “I’m home.” Little did I know how prophetic that statement was.
Since then, I have had the pleasure of being the Administrative Assistant at Cokesbury as well as a member, and you all have been my “family.” I have been able to share so much with you. There have been happy times and sad times, good times and bad times; we have laughed together, cried together, worked together, grown together. For all of this, and for allowing me the privilege of being a part of your lives, I thank each and every one of you.
Now, as I face retirement without Bill, who passed away over four years ago, and with much trepidation, I might add, it is a bittersweet time – I will miss being in the office and being an active part of the life of Cokesbury on a daily basis; I will miss seeing you and sharing time with many of you, but I look forward to being able to spend more time with my family - four children, who all live here, as well as my six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Till then, you’ll still see me around Cokesbury – either at one of the services, a Sunday School class, or who knows where else! And I still have plenty of hugs left to give out. So, this isn’t “goodbye.” I’m just assuming a different role. But, I do want you to know that, wherever I am, a part of all of you will always be with me. I will never forget my years in the office at Cokesbury as your church secretary and, most especially, I will never forget you.
Much love and hugs,
Shirley
