Nancy Elrod Given Farewell Lunch On Sept. 15, 2002.

The morning worship service had been an emotional one.  Everyone knew that this was Nancy's last Sunday in the community.  She was looking forward to her new home and being closer to her son and his family but it was also difficult to leave her church home of over 75 years.

There were kind words said during announcements and the praise time, and Nancy volunteered to read the scripture that day, and even the usually restless babies were quiet as she read the words of protection and promise from Psalm 23.

As church was being dismissed many of her friends seemed to have wandered next door to the  Community Center Building for some reason, and Nancy went there to tell them goodbye.  Instead, she was treated to a farewell lunch complete with tributes and speeches and the type of meal the church is known for.  There were flowers and gifts and even her sister and brother-in-law were there for the occasion.

Below are pictures from that party, which was organized by Ruby Shelton and Jan and Glennon Brown.  Most of the pictures were taken by Jan.  Many different people were present: young people, old people, people in between: people who gather every week as they have done for most if not all of their lives, people whose families have known each other in many cases for generations, yet people who are always ready to welcome the stranger and newcomer as one of them: the people of Hardins Chapel.