Loss

 

Oldest son Charlie (married to Hanna Durrua who used to babysit for us), with Jonathan (who is in my English and Logic classes this year and is the youngest son -- junior in high school, Kacey (who was our FIRST babysitter when we moved here with her husband, and David (who will marry Melody Steele next month)

 

This loss hurts REALLY bad. This loss is hitting EVERYONE in this community. Tammy Bowlin was on the Board of Heritage Home Scholars with me. She is one of my dearest friends. That picture of her and her husband, Chuck, absolutely shows them. This was a partnership. This was best friends. They were your DREAM family. They had their first granddaughter in December and another one, just last month. Next month, their son David, marries Melody (the daughter of our friends from the Azores, the Steeles.) 

The Bowlins go to our church. John and Chuck had a twenty minute conversation before Easter service about bees and other such fun stuff. EVERYONE LOVES THIS FAMILY. 

Chuck was the CEO of Greeneville Power and Light. You can read comments from the community: here. The Bowlins were in St. Croix with three other families from our church that are dearly beloved as well. Chuck tragically died while they were gone. I won't write more about what happened until it becomes public but it appears to be a death while snorkeling. 

Chuck LOVED Jesus. He is WITH Jesus. We do not grieve for Chuck. But for Tammy and the ripples this will cause, we grieve. 

Tammy was a small group leader at youth. She runs the leadership group at our co-op. Tammy is one of the most beautiful women inside and out. She has been such an encouragement to me in my life here in Greeneville.

PLEASE pray for the Bowlin family ... this is a huge tragedy.