"BUB"
One sunny day we met each other
A friend my mom works with; you are her brother
We were introduced, and I like you from the start
Now I know that you are leaving there's a hole in
my heart
We only met once, but that was all it took
I knew people treated you differently because of
your frail look
But I treated you human, and made a new friend
I wish with all my heart that your life would not
end.
I can't stand to hear people say their life is not
fair
Because inside of me it cuts loose a snare
When I hear Mariah Carrey I think of your face
And I think how you were treated by the human race
Something you said makes me want to break down and
cry
You said you weren't afraid of dying--you just
didn't want to die.
I knew when I saw you, you would not live to be old
But when I heard you were dying my blood ran ice
cold
It makes me so mad a great person like you has to go
Knowing it has to be you makes my spirits so low
I'm going to the funeral, if I possibly can
I just don't know if the people there will under-
stand
Why my tears flow for you and they've never met me
I just hope that maybe by looking hard they will see
Why in the world is this such a big deal?
We've had some deaths here lately but like this
I didn't feel
Maybe it's because of the fact that you're so unique
But there's nothing I can do, I feel so weak.
Your life must end and so must this writing
But for people like you I will keep fighting.
I'll be there for you while your still here
And when you're gone I'll keep you near.
People like you are just so rare
And taking my friend; it's just not fair.
My anger is high, cause I don't know why
My great God would take such a wonderful guy.
You are my friend and not a thing less
And forever will be, I know and don't have to guess
So peace to you now and forever too
I know that someday, again I will be with you.
This poem was written to Steve Aaron "Bub" Fannin
by 13 year old Melissa King in 1997
KATHERINE HELTON
Its been 27 years since my mother was diagnosed with cancer and 21 years since she passed away, sure that a cure was just around the corner. How many people have waited just like her? The memory has faded in the many years since she has been gone, and to bring them to the front again will be one of the hardest things I will ever do, even this soon into the story and I feel a deep sadness.
My mother, Katherine Helton, was a vibrant, active woman, who would give anything a try. Her life wasn't an easy one raising 4 children at times by herself, because my father like his beer and they had a tendency to argue. But I don't think anything and perhaps everything had prepared her for the battle that she was about to wage against the hated and feared disease CANCER.
Mom was only 52 when we found out, she had gone to a doctor for what she thought was a kidney invection, as she sat in the waiting room she became deathly ill, the Dr. admitted her to the Babtist Medical Center in Corbin Ky. to find out what was the cause of her illness. They in turn sent her to Lexington to the Medical Center there.
After all of the test were run, the Dr's came into the room and announced that she had Cancer of the Kidney!!!!! I can't put into words how I felt hearing that, it was like a black cloud had coverd my world, my dear mother who I thought at times had to be from another planet and who was my best friend, had cancer. In the early 70's this was a death sentence. But I was to learn what a fighter really was in the years to come.
They set her operation within a day or two I don't really remember the exact dates and times. But we paced the floor of the waiting room for hours before they came in and told us that her Kidney had weighed 7 pounds, I believe a normal kidney is less then a pound, I'm not sure. But she had come thru the operation and we were hopeful that they had gotten it all.
Very soon she started Cemo and Radiation therapy, having to drive from Corbin to Lexington several times a week, This is a 200 mile round trip and I am ashamed to admit that I began to hate that drive. Now that I am getting older I can see how she must have hated to be the one to ask, she had always been so selfsufficient and now she had to depend on others to do for her.
As the therapy continued she lost her beautiful, thick black hair and began to lose so much weight she looked anorexic. They didn't have the pills to stop the throwing up like they do today.
The hospital at Lexington is a Medical School, so they do testing of new breakthroughs. I look back now and think sometimes they used her for a guinee pig, but this is how they come up with new things and they have come a long way since the early 70's. She on the other hand went along with everything they wanted to try, hoping that each thing would be her cure.
I can't remember how long we were in the utopia of thinking she was cured but it couldn't have been a full year. When they found another tumor she went through another operation, and this time I think we all thought she wouldn't make it, but just due to her strength and Gods help she went through several operations over the years until they just couldn't help her anymore and it still hurts when I think how they sent her home to die. By this time the cancer had gotten into her bone marrow and spread throughout her body, several were in her brain and she had started to forget things, one time she looked at my little daughter and asked "who is that little boy" It broke our hearts to watch her, knowing howmuch pain she was in. You may think me an awful person but I began to pray for God to take her home, I couldn't stand to watch anymore. What I would give to have her here for just a little longer so she could see her beautiful great grandchildren, and we could see her sweet smile on more time.
Eight days before she went home to be with Jesus, my baby sister had a little girl baby, and even though we told mom it was okay to go home, she waited till that new baby was brought to her. By this time she was almost gone, though the doctors say hearing is the last sense to go, and I believe that because when she knew the new baby "Katie" was there, she went home that night.
In Loving Memorie of my Mother, we still miss you. Bonita Helton
LEONARD YATES
CLARENCE YATES
God made us brothers--Time made us friends
I miss you--Glen Yates
IN Loving Memory of my Mother
DOVIE HACKER BOWLING 11/6/66- I never got to know you, But I Love You Anyway. Darlene Smith
DAVID GILMORE--In loving memory "The BareFoot Sisters"
CLIFFORD L. BAILEY
RUBY BRUMMETT
RONNIE PREWITT
CONNIE HELTON
GEORGE WALTON
RICHARD BARDO
LEROY SAYLOR--The gardens that Leroy planted are still giving pleasure to those of us left behind, And his ability to grow beautiful flowers must be making heaven a prettier place to be. We Love and Miss you Dad. Gary and Mary Saylor
A.J. LAWSON
CLEDITH JOHNSON BROCK
CHRISTIAN JASTAL
CHARLES KIDD
DELORES DEAN WEILMANN
ARNOLD HELTON
RAYMOND HELTON
MADISON KNOX--your bright little smile still fills our hearts
ICIE HUGHES
DALLAS HUGHES
SEYMOUR HALL--SURVIVOR
JERRY GREEN
LELA SHIPP
DANNY OWNSBY
STEVE PUNCH--SURVIVOR
DIANNE CRONK--SURVIVOR
GEORGIE ANNE BROWN--SURVIVOR
STEVE AARON FANNIN "BUB"
DOROTHY BAILEY--Dorothy was my youngest sister. She died of stomach cancer at the early age of 58. She was one of the most caring, fun loving, nicest people I have ever known. I miss her so much- Her Sister Carrie Bowling
ARCHIE M. JONES--1911 -1988 Beloved Husband of Nora Young Jones, Father of Muriel Jones Johnson and Janice Jones Hacker.
WILMA FAYE PHILLIPS
GAIL CORRIGAN--Second grade school teacher at Ft. Lauderdale Christian School. Always In My Heart "Giggle Box"
BRIAN KEITH MILLER--Survivor
ANN JOAN ZYGMONT--Beloved mother of Mary Ann, David Andrew and Johnni
JAREK JACOB KEENAN--Precious 2 1/2 week old
CLEO PETE DORTON
SHERRY MIZE--Survivor
SHIRLEY MARIE NAYLOR--Loved and missed by her three daughters and husband Edward A. Naylor
JAMMY WARREN--We were closer then brothers and
had some great times growing up together, I know
I will miss more great times growing old together. Shawn
VIRDIE GARRISON
KLAAS OASTERHOUSE--When dad found out he had stomach cancer he said,"AT 87, you have to die of something." Love you Dad
MARILYN WALTHURS
JUANITA VEURINK
MIKE EGGERSTEDT
F. BERKLEY ROBINS--Graduated 3rd in his class at MIT beloved Grandfather
WILHELMINE FREIEDERICKE CARIUS
DORIS A. PRICE
CLARA FORREST--Our time as man and wife was cut short, but I will always love you. Jamie
MILDRED L. HART--I miss you mom, John
BILL SILVER
VICKY CHADWELL-a very good friend of my mothers whom I loved dearly and is missed deeply. Stephy
STEVE ENSING-we lost Steve to cancer in 1994, he was only ill 3 months.Steve was a kind and special man,and was the second of 6 children.We all miss him so very much ,Love Mom
LAVONNIE DAVIS-Survivor,Appalachian trail thru hiker 91-92."SPARKLER"
THELMA HELTON-
TIM BALLIET-you were just so young . And we all miss you.
OLLIE MAY LEWALLEN- I was only a child when you went home grandma but I still remember your smile.Love Barbara
MARTHA PHIPPS
FERNE SMITH
RICHARD S. HARRISON-like the hikers heading north Richard was a traveler.I still miss you, Love Gillian
JIMMY JAYCOX
SHIRLEY DIXON
BONNIE BREADMORE now you and Jesus make footprints in the sand together , hand in hand.
MURIEL MCREYNOLDS- My Mom still misses you. everyone should have such a friend as Muriel.
JANE RIVAS EMMONS- For my loveing sister.
TOM BREUKER- Praying for you
!
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