Well, a boy I knew was a Church of God preacher's kid; and his momma's hair was teased so high, I always wondered how she could achieve such altitude. When I first saw the meringue on the pies at Dotson's in downtown Franklin, I couldn't help but christen it in memory of a high-rise hairstyle that still mystifies me to this day.
Besides, it's one of Mrs. Elizabeth's favorites. Thanks for all the prayers and cards that some of you kindly sent for her recovery from breaking her leg (see earlier post of "Everybody Needs a Little Help" for details and address). She says she is going to walk again, and it seems that a big, ol' slab of chocolate pie makes the medicine go down in the most delightful ways, for all you Julie Andrews' fans.
My title is a serious question I have been pondering since I learned that a dear friend, Allen Still, had been killed on August 6 when his bulldozer flipped and pinned him. Knuck, as he was called by many, was a hero because he chose to put his rig into a ditch on a narrow road so to avoid running over an on-coming truck with three men inside. At the scene, those men were calling Allen their "angel," I was told, and that they would never forget his dying sacrifice for their sakes. However, knowing Knuck like I did, you can bet he was confident he could cheat death once again and got the surprise of his life when he went to Heaven, instead of Flat Creek Road!
When this heavy equipment operator was arguing why he didn't need to buy life insurance, he quipped, "You're gambling that I'm not gonna make it, and I'm gambling that I am!" However, he did buy the policy that day, and thank God he did. (NOTE: Take care of your own people as soon as you can find an agent. I would have sworn Allen Still's indomitable spirit and love for his family would have kept him on this earth for decades to come. If Allen could be taken so suddenly, we all must be ready, too.)
If you didn't know Knuck, he was one of those Southern men whose accent and vocabulary choices might make a lesser person think this fellow wasn't a formidable foe. Au contraire! Such a conclusion didn't bother Allen; as a matter of fact, he told me one day that he preferred it that way because it's was a whole lot easier getting the high ground advantage when the opponent dismissed the slow, dumb guy. I'll never forget the laugh we had in sheer delight of the many times we had been misjudged by arrogance but won the match in spades.
Honestly, Allen Still was one of the most intelligent folks I have known. I remember one time when Knuck came over to Rose Hill to figure out how the side porch could be built since it was "code-violating" close to the property's envelope. I was almost beside myself with all the red tape over a few inches, but the problem didn't ruffle my friend at all. "Now listen here," he said after eyeballing the site for just a few seconds. "This ain't gonna be no problem a'tall." Knuck proceeded in lining out diagonal steps that hugged the line--but didn't cross it. Then he grinned in the way that endeared him to so many and said, "Aw, RoseAnne, you would have figured it out on your own, but I was glad to help."
Helping out others is why Allen was on that narrow road last Thursday; his wife, Karri, said he was digging some footing as a favor and was taking the 'dozer to the next site to be ready for a new project. One favor Allen did for my family was to stand in at the last minute to be a pallbearer for my dear momma, bearing up his end while escorting her to the grave. For all the things this bear-sized man did for me, I shall never forget looking over at him that day in silent appreciation, just to see him wink with that slight nod of his head. That was just like him to let me know it was his honor to help.
That was Knuck's way--even to the last kind thing he did in this life by sacrificing himself to save those three strangers.
Since I didn't know Allen had been killed, I missed the funeral and his burial. However, in the land of my memories I will ever see his quick grin and hear his infectious laughter, and see that wink with a slight nod of his head. In the land of the living as we all slip into the deepening night, I shall grieve the loss of my dear, beloved friend--an honorable and noble man--Allen "Knuck" Still.
What will be remembered when you are gone?
Charles Allen Still "Knuck"
(from The Tennessean)
STILL, Mr. Charles Allen "Knuck"Age 47 of College Grove, TN. Devoted husband, beloved father, caring son and friend to all, went home to be with the Lord on August 6, 2009; ahead of our time on God?s schedule as a result of a heavy equipment accident. Graduate of Franklin High School Class of 1980; CEO of Allen Still Bulldozer; member of Christ Community Church, Spring Hill Rotary Club & Bethesda Lodge #201; Allen enjoyed a good story, especially one ending with a long laugh; going for a ride out and about with his sweet family and friends; he invested his time and energy working the land and hanging out with his boys in the family room named "The Pit"; Allen enjoyed fishing, hunting and the great outdoors; he had a fast smile, pleasing disposition and sincere, compassionate soul. Preceded in death by father, Charlie Still. Survived by wife, Karri Winstead Still; sons, Alex & Sam Still, all of College Grove, TN; mother, Ann Still of Franklin, TN. Family & Friends will serve as Pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be Employees of Allen Still Bulldozer, Rotary Club of Spring Hill and Men of Seekers Sunday School Class. Memorials may be made to the Still Family Educational Trust % Green Bank, attention: Jackie Bagwell, [Spring Hill, TN].
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