Unit 3 Final Draft

Alex Dean

Pavletic

Engl 0100

12/2/2013

  The subject that is not really that forbidden to me is the death of my grandfather. I, along with countless other people, loved my grandfather very much. He was a great man and always very joyful. I could always tell there was something different about him more than any other man that I knew. His death only happened about three months ago. I am not uncomfortable talking about it, but it is a very emotional subject. This is also true for my whole family. My grandfather died on August 4, 2013. My family was on the way home from the beach when we got word that he had had a stroke. He lived through the night but died the next morning at 10:12 am. My grandfather was the pastor at my church for almost 20 years. He basically started my church. Today, I am going to interview my mother and get her thoughts on this subject.

Q: So how did Papaw impact your life when he was there on earth with us?

A: Not only did he exemplify a life of selflessness, he lived out his faith in Christ.  As I watched his life over the last 35 years, I saw how he loved people and considered others before himself.  He showed me what it was to be a true follower of Jesus Christ.  Not a day goes by that

I don’t think of Bro. Dean and his influence in my life and my faith.

Q: Have you been extremely upset about this?  

A: Naturally, I was very sad at his passing and miss him every day.  However, I know that he is in heaven with Christ and those who have

gone before him.  That is my comfort, along with the fact that I know that I will see him again.  

 

 

Q: How has his death impacted your life?

A: His death reminds me that I should live every day as if it was my last.  This means loving and caring for people and sharing Jesus with

those around us.  This was how Bro. Dean lived his life.  

Q: Tell me some of the things that he did to impact other peoples lives that either knew him or knew of him.  

A: Because of how he loved people, people loved him.  Our family has had so many people share with us how he ministered to them in

ways we never knew.  Of course he helped people through pastoral counseling, praying and all the ways in which a pastor ministers to

people.  What we heard so much of at his death was how he helped people in their everyday lives:  fixing things that were broken at their

house, helping them financially, or helping bring peace to a difficult situation.  He went where people were and showed Christ’s love.

Q: Everybody loved Bro. Jimmy Dean didn’t they?  

A: I’m sure he had people who disagreed with him through the years as a pastor, but even those people still loved and respected him.  

Q: When you think of what great things Jimmy Dean has done, what is the first thing that comes to mind?  

A: He was my pastor for 25 years and baptized me when I was 10 years old.  He also baptized all four of my children.  

Q:What is your most memorable story that you have about Bro. Jimmy Dean?

A: When I was a teenager, I was at their house visiting with them while they were getting ready to leave for a trip.  I was with my

husband, my boyfriend at the time, in the master bedroom helping him pack.  Bro. Dean did not realize I was there and came walking in in

his boxers on his way to the bathroom to take a shower!  At the time, we were both embarrassed, but laughed about it many times

through the years.  

 

 My grandfather lead a lot of people to salvation in his lifetime. His life meant so much to the people that knew him. He was a well known

preacher all over the state of Alabama. I loved my grandfather, and I cannot wait to see him again in Heaven. He baptized me when I was eight years old. I will always cherish that because he was my granfather and a great man of God. Being a pastor was not just his job. It was his life. It was something that God called him to do. He was a great man, and I can only dream of being as good a man as he was.