My Uncle Vance was the 3rd of 7 children; my Mom (Doris Baucom), his youngest sister, was the 6th of the 7. Uncle Vance was always my favorite Uncle. He was a kind and gentle man, compassionate to a fault. His children were all grown by the time my Mom, his sister, adopted me from Scotland and brought me to America at the age of 3. Vance was fascinated with my size (I was a runt), my accent (I had a very heavy brogue), and my spiritual path at a very young age that centered around helping others (even at the age of 3, I was helping everyone). Vance took me under his wing and treated me with much kindness. He nurtured my desire to help others. He encouraged me by assuring me that I could help change the world. He told me that by pastoring 2 churches, he was doing what he could to help others...and that whatever way I chose would be a big help. He made me feel like I fit in; he accepted me for who I was. No greater gift can be extended to an "outsider" (Scottish citizen) than the gifts of acceptance, encouragement, and support. He was a compassionate man who has always been in my heart and always will be.

By the time I was 6, I understood what a Reverend was. When I asked Uncle Vance why he'd become a Reverend, he told me that he'd "heard the call" early in his life, that he'd later "studied the Bible," and that he was then able to get a job pastoring a church...and then 2 churches at the same time. When I asked him about funerals (a distant relative had just passed and he had officiated their service), he told me that a funeral wasn't a sad time; it was a time to celebrate a person's life and the time you had with them. With the information you were able to share with me, I am reminded today of all the lives that he touched, how Lib was always at his side nurturing those around her (especially with good Southern cooking), and how blessed I was to have had the time I did with them both.

Margy(aka Margaret Anne Meacham, PhD, daughter of Doris Baucom Meacham) Niece of Vance & Lib Baucom