Mitch Carnell

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Posts Tagged Charleston

Thankful Thursday – Pat and Hack Ezell

Feb 2

Posted by Mitch in Articles

            On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the gifts that Patricia and Melvin (Hack) Ezell bring to my life. This highly involved, energetic couple provides an example for us all. Pat is a native of Arkansas and Hack hails from North Carolina. They have both retired from distinguished careers at the Citadel. Pat was Assistant Dean to the College of Graduate and Professional Studies and Hack was Professor of Health, Exercise and Sport Science. In 1997 Pat was selected as the employee of the year. They are devoted parents and grandparents. Both are deeply involved in the mission of First Baptist Church. Both have served as chair of the diaconate. Hack has chaired the Long Range Planning Committee. They both help arrange Joy Club trips and sing in the senior choir. They both prepare the annual Joy Club Luncheon for the Hamrick Lectureship. Hack is greatly involved in the Gideon Society and serves as the FBC representative to the Charleston County Baptist Association. Both are involved in promoting the programs at Bonnie Doom Conference Center and the FBC beach house. Thinking about all they do makes me tired. Both taught at Mars Hill College before arriving in Charleston. Both have graduate degrees from the University of Tennessee.

Thankful Thursday is a day set aside to recognize the importance of someone to our lives and to let her or him know of our gratitude. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Say Something Nice; Be a Lifter. You will be glad that you did.

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Thankful Thursday – Jane Scarpa Ezell Hamrick

Dec 15

Posted by Mitch in Articles

            On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the gifts that Jane Hamrick brings to my life. Jane is the mother of Carol Ezell Gilson, and Mary Nance McDonough .She grew up in Charleston and graduated from Ashley Hall and the College of Charleston. She married Kay Ezell from Woodruff, South Carolina and they moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee where he was a scientist at the Oak Ridge Atomic Research Labs.  He died from a brain tumor when Carol was 5 years old. Jane returned to Charleston and taught at First Baptist School. She and Dr. John married several years after his wife Margaret died. My daughter-in-law, Nancy, took French with Jane and then went with her and the class to France. The stories from that trip are marvelous. Dr. John died on October 24, 2004.

            Jane is a member of the Hamrick Lectureship Committee and one of the most delightful people I know. She has a wonderful sense of humor and at the same time has a razor sharp mind for business. She sings in the choir and teaches Sunday school at First Baptist. She has probably served on every committee at the church and probably in Charleston as well. She and Dr. John were great travelers. They enjoyed several of the Elderhostel programs and Jane still likes to attend those.  She recently adopted a rescue dog and he has taken over her life. On this Thankful Thursday I am very glad that Jane Hamrick is a part of my life. Dr. Arthur Caliandro is pictured along with Jane and me.

            Thankful Thursday is a day set aside to recognize the importance of someone to our lives and to let her or him know of our gratitude. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Say Something Nice; Be a Lifter. You will be glad that you did.

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Thankful Thursday – Dr. Jim Southard

Nov 17

Posted by Mitch in Articles

On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the gifts that Dr. Jim Southard brings to my life. Jim was the veterinarian for my wonderful dog, British. He cared for British as if British belonged to him. He was a wonderful and caring husband for his late wife, Willa. They met at the University of Georgia. She was devoted to drama and dance.  Jim told me, “She was the most beautiful person I had ever seen.”  Anyone could see that Willa was just as dedicated to Jim. Jim grew up in Charleston and went to Citadel Square Baptist Church. David Redd’s mother was his RA leader. For non-Baptists that’s a training program for Baptist boys. He and Willa later joined First Baptist. He is a Clemson graduate and served in the Army. He is also an Eagle Scout as is his son. He is still very active in scouting. For a long time he did a veterinary show on channel 5. I followed him as chair of the diaconate at FBC and he was helpfulness itself. I admire his dedication to his profession, his devotion to the church and his great sense of humor. Jim knows how to laugh and how to spin a great yarn. For a time, Jim, Clarence Glover and I rode together for some church meetings. Those trips would cure whatever ails you. Jim is also the ever indulgent granddad and is happy to tell you about them. On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the gifts that Jim Southard brings to my life.

Thankful Thursday is a day set aside to recognize the importance of someone to our lives and to let her or him know of our gratitude. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Say Something Nice; Be a Lifter. You will be glad that you did.

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Thankful Thursday – Brenda and Laurens Pitts

Nov 3

Posted by Mitch in Articles

On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the gifts that Brenda and Laurens Pitts bring to my life. They were members of the Sunday school class that I led for many years. Brenda was very successful as a court reporter and then she began a creative writing career studying with Brett Lott among others. Laurens was an engineer. Both are deep thinkers and are very creative. Our class enjoyed several Christmas parties at their home. Brenda is a superb hostess.

            We had wonderful discussions in that class and my spiritual boundaries expanded and deepened. One day Laurens commented, “Mitch, I don’t know whether I have grown in my acceptance or whether I have just lost my values.” With that statement he captured the struggle many of us face. We try to reconcile what we were taught as children with what we have experienced as adults. Sometimes we just have to let go of the old, if it no longer fits. Laurens stole many nights of sleep from me. I still ponder his statement. How fortunate we were to have these two with us in that class. They are a kind, generous, creative, thought provoking couple. Of course, they were and are devoted to their children (daughters) and grandchildren. Brenda and Laurens Pitts are very special people and I am blessed to have them in my life.

            Thankful Thursday is a day set aside to recognize the importance of someone to our lives and to let her or him know of our gratitude. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Say Something Nice; you will be glad that you did.

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Thankful Thursday – Ruth and Bob Guy

Oct 13

Posted by Mitch in Articles

            On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the gifts that Ruth and Bob Guy bring to my life. They are two of the first friends we made in Charleston. They were our neighbors on South Sherwood Drive until they moved, but the move did not interrupt our friendships. When our children were small, we spent many New Year’s Eves together eating fondue at midnight and talking well into the early morning. Of course, we have shared many great times together at First Baptist Church. Their daughter, Nancy Union, and my daughter, Suzanne, continue to stay in contact. Every Sunday night Suzanne will ask me, “Did you see the Guys today?” These two wonderful friends are the salt of the earth. You can count on them in good times and bad. I cherish the great conversations we have had over these many years. Ruth grew up in Georgia and Bob started out in South Carolina. His family moved when he was four to Franklin, North Carolina. On this Thankful Thursday, I am grateful for the friendship of Ruth and Bob Guy.

            Thankful Thursday is a day set aside to recognize the importance of someone to our life and to let her or him know of our gratitude. Develop an attitude of gratitude. Say Something Nice; Be a Lifter. You will be glad that you did.

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