Last week, we received a registration for our Legislative Seminar from Frances Creech. “Mother Creech,” as we refer to her here in the office, is the mother of Jimmy Creech, former program associate for the Council and a recipient of the Council’s Distinguished Service Award. She has long been a faithful financial supporter of the Council, often sending us contributions in honor of a family member’s birthday or in gratitude for a friend at church or as an alternative Christmas gift for someone.
Since I knew Mother Creech to be well into her 90s and living in a long-term care facility in Goldsboro, I wasn’t quite sure how she’d make it to the Seminar. A note from her daughter, on behalf of her mother, explained: “I have been an active member [of the Council] for many years, but now that I am almost 98 years old, I will be unable to participate and would like for this registration fee to be given to someone who would like to attend but cannot afford to pay. If there is a young person available to go so they can start learning, this would be nice. . . . Thank you for all that you do. God bless right on. Frances J. Creech.”
Last evening I got e-mail from Jimmy informing me that his mom had died last Thursday. He added that the check from his mom to enable someone else to attend the Seminar was one of her last instructions to his sister.
So this is a special contribution, one that we cherish in a special way. If you know of someone who might want to attend the Seminar but needs financial help to do so, especially one of these young people Mother Creech was thinking of, please let me know.
Our sympathies go to Jimmy and the rest of his family, along with our celebration of the remarkable life his mom lived. If you want to be in touch with him, his e-mail address is Jimmy.Creech.NC@gmail.com. Postal service address is 412 S. Boylan Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603-1910. Jimmy reports that he and his sisters (Frances and Alice) are doing fine. “Death was merciful in Mom’s case, just as her long life had been,” he said. As I wrote back to him, that’s the “Going-Home Plan” I’d like to be on.
— George Reed, Executive Director
