Celebration of Life

Thursday I got the call that I'd been dreading yet knew was coming at any moment. My grand-uncle (I was corrected this weekend since he's my mom's dad's brother) peacefully passed away on Thursday morning. I wrapped up my work, headed to my apartment, packed, and headed home picking Emily up in Charlotte on the way. Friday was the visitation and it is amazing how many people he touched during his 84 years with us. The visitation was a constant stream of family, friends, acquaintences, church members, and other people I didn't even know for over two hours. Saturday morning I served as one of the pall bearers along with close family friends and we led the family procession into the packed church. I'd say there were at least 150 people there and maybe more. It was easy to feel the love for Uncle Bob and the family. After the service and the internment, my cousin Bobby hosted a catered lunch at his house for the family and friends and there were probably 75 people there celebrating life and enjoying each other's company.

While it was a sad occassion, I realized how much community means. It was an overwhelming feeling knowing that everyone around you loves you in some way. Small town life has some drawbacks, but they surely were outweighed this weekend. I don't know if I'd like to live in Carrollton right now, but I miss having the family and friends nearby. It's trite, but live in the moment and enjoy your life and those around you.

ROBERT L. STEWART SR.

Mr. Robert Long “Bob” Stewart Sr., age 83, of South Street, Carrollton, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Thursday morning September 20, 2007.

Mr. Stewart was born in Jasper, Alabama, on April 20, 1924, at the home of his beloved grandparents “Mr. Bob” and Pearl Long. Raised in Carrollton, Bob spent many summers in Jasper with his friends and family and most loved cousin Marion Gallacher Crew.

Having attended Carrollton City Schools, Bob graduated Carrollton High School and then attended the University of Alabama, majoring in business administration and joining Sigma Chi social fraternity. Volunteering for service in World War II, Bob joined the Army and served in the Philippines, New Guinea, and the occupational forces in Japan. After Bob was discharged honorably, he remained faithful to the American military, the army, and his country.

Bob was raised on South Street by his parents, Charles Horace and Lucile Long Stewart, along with his younger brother, Charles Horace Stewart, Jr. all of whom preceded him in death. After returning home from the war and school, Bob met and married the love of his life, Jean Penfield whom preceded him in death in 2002.

Jean and Bob have three children and six grandchildren, (Bobby) Robert L. Jr., Gloria Smith Stewart and Amanda, (Jimmy) James Penfield, Cathy Miles Stewart and Andi Stewart and Shane Miles all of Carrollton, Jane Stewart and Ryan Reynolds, Robyn, Russ, and Garrett Reynolds of Lilburn. Bob is also survived by two nieces, Susan S. and Joe Miller of Atlanta and Barbara Stewart Oxford, mother of Brian Stewart Oxford and Emily Catherine Oxford, his grand-nephew and niece.

Bob Stewart was a loyal soldier, father, friend, and scout, living the creed and motto his entire life and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Bob served as a scout leader after the war and became an organizer of the Carroll County Rescue Squad. Bob was President of City Supply Company, founder and owner of Stewart Sales Company, and retired from Stewart Advertising Company two years ago. He was a lifelong member of the Carrollton Presbyterian Church.

Our family will be forever indebted to the “Stewart House Crew” not just for the professional care given, but for the genuine love, patience, and Christian attitude of the wonderful people working and living in Bob’s parents old home place. We also recognize the compassion and care given by Tanner Hospice to Bob and his family.

Funeral services will be Saturday, September 22, 2007 at 11 a.m. at the Carrollton Presbyterian Church with Rev. Jan Tolbert officiating.

Pallbearers will be Brian Oxford, Phil Carter, Bobby McMillian, Joe Miller, Marshal Myers, and Wade Pearson. Honorary pallbearers will be the Elders of Carrollton Presbyterian Church, Boy Scout Troop #179, C. W. Cunningham, Ed Aycock, Lamar Knight, Buddy Pope, Nat Shackleford, Eugene Lambert, and Fred Baughn.

The family will receive friends at Almon Funeral Home Friday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Carrollton Presbyterian Church, 14 Maple Street, Carrollton, GA 30117 or Hospice Care P. O. Box 1136, Carrollton, GA 30112.

Messages of condolences may be sent to the family at www.almonfuneralhome.com.

Interment will be in the Carrollton City Cemetery with American Legion Post # 143 folding and presenting the flag.

Almon Funeral Home, Carrollton.

Most of the Stewart side of the family last Thanksgiving

Family, Friends, Football

This weekend was full of highs and lows. I'll start with the downers.

Friday my flight was supposed to leave at 4:49 but due to the weather in Atlanta and Raliegh we left a couple of hours late.

Friday afternoon my great uncle (maternal grandfather's brother) had a minor stroke and isn't in very good shape right now. Luckily I was able to see him a couple of weeks ago when I was at home. Saturday morning mom and I went to see him at the nursing home so I could see him one last time. It's amazing seeing and feeling everyone's love. Saturday morning when the Hospice attendant was changing shits he said, "It won't be long." She asked, "What won't be long?" and we responded "Until I see Jean." That's probably the most caring thing I've ever heard. Jean was his wife and we passed away in February 2002. What's even more amazing is that he said it clearly and he hasn't been able to talk very well for the last month or so. Hearing that made me at peace. He's soon going to a better place.

Now for the highs. I felt guilty going to the football game but everyone insisted I go and to pull for Tech (that's coming from a bunch of UGA fans). So I went and had a great time taking my mind off everything.

Saturday was an absolutely beautiful day! We arrived on campus for tailgating at the grassy knoll between the 4th Street Apartments on Techwood which I'd never considered before but it was a great place. The only downside was lugging all of the stuff across the interstate to the parking deck before the game started. This was the group's first real tailgate (other than WCF) where we cooked a lot of stuff and even had a tent. Last year for the NC State game in Raleigh counts but we got the BBQ catered for that. Things went fairly smoothly and hopefully people will get on the planning bandwagon a little more next time :)

As for the game that was probably a low but I still had fun so it was ok. I had a bad feeling going in and it was validated by our inability to run the ball or get any pressure on BC QB Matt Ryan. BC is definitely the front runner to win the ACC Championship Game. One of the best things about the game was the weather! It was in the mid 70s (I assume) and in the Upper East we had a breeze. Man it was nice. I know it's the teaser we always get but I'm ready for Fall. My seats were also pretty good, right on the 40 and up high but had great sight lines for the entire field. Good enough sitelines that I could tell the refs were terrible and we weren't doing what we needed to do. Hopefully we'll be able to turn it around in Charlottesville next weekend.

After the game dad dropped me off at Shaun's condo in Midtown since I had an early flight this morning. When I walked out of the building to walk to the Arts Center MARTA station I was greeted with the pleasantly cool air which brought a smile to my face. Thankfully the flight back to Raleigh was uneventful.

In closing, I'm not feeling the immediate tugging at my heart to move back to Atlanta as work is going pretty well right now, but everytime I spend time down there it makes me miss it more and more.

Camera Phone Game Pics Gallery

View from Section 224 Row 28 Seats 5



Coke Building and the Moon over Bobby Dodd Stadium at Historic Grant Field

"Oh, lookie there, I've got a bite"

Saturday morning was an early one. My boss and I left Raleigh at 5:30 heading north to Lake Mayo near the stateline for a day of fishing. The weather was beautiful and not too hot while we were out there and as a bonus the lake wasn't crowded at all. On the water by a little after 7 we fished until about 12:30, and unlike our other fishing trips we actually caught some! I caught two largemouth bass and two chain pickrels which were also the first two I've ever caught. Chuck caught three largemouths and one pickerel.

In other news, Tech football looks to be heading in the right direction! I know we didn't try to run the score up during Saturday's 69-14 victory since we played 73, yes 73 different players. That's everyone that could play. It was great to see the backups get some action.

"...we're going to get up and fight some more"

Here's the pregame speech from Tech team Chaplain Derrick Moore before the Tech vs. Notre Dame game last weekend. If this doesn't get you fired up I don't know what would. As someone said on the Hive, "I don't know whether to start praying or to hit someone after seeing that."



Here's the famous "Mash on the Gas" speech from last year before the Maryland game with highlights. I couldn't watch this one because it was on ESPNU, but listened online as Michael Johnson came out of nowhere to make two game winning plays on the goal line stand. Listen to Wes Durham's call at the end of the video, after such a great stand it's amazing. My heart was beating a mile-a-minute during that last two plays of the game.

A Walk in the Woods

This weekend was a nice respite from the oppresive heat of the last few weeks and I took full advantage by spending some time outdoors. Saturday I went to the driving range and realized that a small bucket of balls isn't really enough to get grooved in, next time I'll return to the large bucket. After the range I went to the North Raleigh Char-Grill and got a tasty hamburger and sweet tea with crushed ice. While waiting on my food I conversed briefly with an Auburn graduate wondering why it was so crowded and I suggested it was a holiday weekend and football season. Then I moved onto a husband and wife that were State fans who were talking to a UNC fan, both were headed to their respective games. I subtely mentioned that they should find a tv at 3:30 and watch a real game. After lunch it was GAME DAY!!! Another game in favor of the good guys.

Sunday I skipped church and communed with nature at my favorite fishing hole in Hillsborough, Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area. Unfortunately, this trip turned out like many of my others to the pond and I was skunked again. I wasn't too bummed as I just enjoy being outside enjoying the weather. After fishing, I continued west to Elon to see the G-units. We had lunch and I gave them a ride in the new ride. I think they liked it and seemed to be easier for them to get in and out of which is a good thing.

Monday I checked another North Carolina state park off my list by visiting Medoc Mountain State Park in Hollister, NC. When I first arrived at the park I think was the only person there besides the rangers which is highly unusual for a holiday weekend but no complaints from me. I found the trail head and ended up hiking around 5 miles or so to the whopping 300' summit of Medoc Mountain. It was a beautiful day and other than breaking all of the spiderwebs along trail I had a great time.

Upon returning home I relaxed for a bit and then finisehd reading "Into the Wild" by John Krakauer. I picked it up at the ATL airport last Sunday after reading an article about the upcoming movie and plowed all buy 60 pages or so while in the airport. If you know me, that's a lot of reading, especially at once, so it's a great book. It's about the true story of Emory graduate Chris McCandless' journey through the west and Alaska as a vagabond. The novel provides an insight into McCandlesses thoughts, travels, including interviews of people he interacted with along the way. As a bonus, a movie is to be released in a couple of weeks. Check it out!

Another book I recently read (yes two books in two weeks!) is Walker Percy's southern literature classic "The Moviegoer". I highly recommend this one as well.

Toe Meets Leather

Up with the White and Gold! It's finally college football season which means it's almost fall and my favorite time of the year. Tech came out and busted Notre Dame in the mouth from the first whistle and easily beat the Irish 33-3 in South Bend! If we can get a little better on the passing game and keep up the amazing defense and Tashard's running we're going to have a special season.

In bigger football news, congratulations to the Appalachian State Mountaineers in their victory over the dreaded Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor. Way to represent the southland. This victory deserves a reprise of the best college video ever, App State is Hot Hot Hot!