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thank you for not criticizing me for all the mistakes I made. I am so glad we had that time together. It was so good when we went to

your church together. But the greatest thing for me was when we would sit on the front porch (country style) at 104 Hays Drive, talk,

and eat chicken dinners from either Kentucky Fried or Famous Recipe.

You know, Daddy, my son says I love to tell stories. It came to me last night that my storytelling talent came from you because folks

loved sitting at your feet as you expounded on your fascinating tales. Both my brother and I inherited that same trait. Actually, our
family has many storytellers, and they draw captivating tales from their areas of specialization, which include education, government,

medicine, entertainment, sales, engineering, and fashion design. They have all used their strong communication skills to build great

careers in these fields.

Mom and Dad, I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for me and our family. How blessed I am to have lived under your

tutelage and governed by God's commandments.

My Unstoppable Brother Charles - 'The Man with One Leg"

My brother, Charles "Mad Hatter" Merritt, bravely fought heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease. After retirement, Charles had
to have his leg amputated due to complications with diabetes. Family and friends could not imagine how a man with one leg could

drive himself around town and go to church every Sunday in that condition. His blue truck was always on the road. When he could
no longer drive his truck, a radio businessman bought him a motorized wheelchair. Determined not to be bored at home, I heard that

he would drive the motorized chair on the highway so he could visit his friends, wherever they were in Mobile or Pritchard, Alabama.

Mom and dad, I mention this because I believe that the courage, determination, boldness, strength, and guts that you demonstrated
as parents showed us children how we should live. Despite the difficulties, highs, lows, rough, or easy encounters we faced in life, you

taught us that it is necessary to overcome them. You taught us that God didn't say life would be easy. We had to trust God and move
forward! My brother Charles lived to be 66 years old. When I look at the life he lived and the contributions he made to the radio

industry, I'd say wholeheartedly that he was an overcomer!