Creekbank Stories Curt Iles, Storyteller
Life is a big circle. That’s one thing being middle-aged teaches you. It all comes back around sooner or later.
And that’s a good thing.
An Echo from the Pines
Yesterday I was at one of the prettiest cemeteries in America, Lyles Cemetery. If you’ve never visited it, it is 1.5 miles east of the Topsy-Bel Road that connects US Hwys 171 and 190. You turn off opposite the road to Camp Pearl.
When the graveside service ended for my friend, faithful reader and cousin by marriage, Alan Cavenah, the pastor (Marvin Holland, brother in law of Alan) called on Alan’s widow, Patsy Lyles Cavenah to lead a verse of “There is a Fountain.” With help from family and friends, she led a stirring rendition of this solid old hymn.
I cannot describe how it moved me. A few minutes earlier, a Marine Corp bugler blew taps. It touched everyone as the notes echoed off the surrounding pines.
But the words of faith, sung by grieving men and women of faith, moved me far more. I’m not sure I’ll ever forget it or get over it. Allen’s life of faith and legacy will live on in the hearts and lives of his family.
For me, it’ll always live on when I hear that wonderful hymn,
There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Emmanuel’s veins
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains.
Amen and amen.
C. Iles
My mother in law asked me to send you a message thanking you for the essay you wrote about the service at Lyles Cemetery. It was beautiful and it really touched her that you wrote a piece about it. Allen would have been proud to know that you had something to say. So, thanks again.
From the Cavenah family
Nikki,
I’ll forever cherish Allen’s graveside service. It glorified God, celebrated Allen’s life, and touched everyone’s heart. I can still hear the bugle and will always hear “There is a Fountain.”
Curt
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