Anita Reeder Hardister was a giver all of her life. It was in her DNA I suppose. At a mere eleven years old she witnessed her father give his life in an attempt to save a young woman from drowning. Our family was awarded the Carnegie Hero Medal of Honor for his fatal sacrifice. That level of giving shaped her and lent to who she would become.

My Mama always gave even if it meant she went without. She was a teacher to many children in and out of the classroom. She dedicated her entire life to giving of herself in some capacity. She never wanted accolades and at her funeral, I began to learn of many of the things she did in private to help others. She didn’t want fanfare or praise, she gave because she felt it so deeply in her soul to assist those in need in any way she could manage to help them. She passed on July 30, 2011, and to this day, I still am learning of the things she did to reach others and give them hope. She was adamant about organ donation and I know she would be thrilled to know her donation to your foundation assisted someone in seeing the world as she did.

I was her only child and the bond we shared was like nothing I can begin to put into words. She loved me so fiercely and she instilled in me the need to give as well. She said I was the love of her life, and then when my sons, Aaron Seth and Luke were born, she found room in her huge heart to make them the loves of her life as well.

She loved music, sewing, and reading every book she could get her hands on. Her quick wit and storytelling ability were a source of constant entertainment for every person who had the honor of knowing her. She took great pride in teaching Sunday school at our church for twenty-plus years. She didn’t brag but she was quite the writer as well. The last written work of my Mother. She was awake at two in the morning on July 20, 2011, unable to get up on her own. She called me into her room and ask me to crawl onto her big, comfy bed beside her. She told me she wanted me next to her as I read her finished product. It was much like the days of my childhood when I found safety and security, nestled next to Mama, reading to each other. The words below gave me chills, in my heart, I truly believe she knew her last days were upon her. I wept as I saw her handwriting had become shaky, but her grammar and punctuation were still very much intact. Our eyes met as they had so many times, and she managed to whisper, you will need this baby.I escaped to her room minutes after she was gone, and there at her beside was her well-kept notebook, pencil in the binding, and this poem there for me to see and read on my own this time. Thank you, Mama, for leaving me with such a beautiful way to see death and the legacy you left for Seth, Luke, and myself.

When Sandy was born premature in 1953, it was evident right away she had vision problems. Her left eye was turned in. She wore glasses from 6 months to her passing. In her forties, Sandy had strabismus surgery to pull the muscle and realign her eye.

Through organ donation, Sandy was able to selflessly give her eyes to two people. The gift of sight would be so meaningful to her. Out of her entire body, her eyes were the only tissue or organs able to be donated. I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works and my soul knows it well. Psalm 139:14

To know her was to love her. Sandy was a gentle spirit. Her children and grandchildren adored their Mimi.

My father, Russell, was a hard working man who loves his family and made them his priority. I am the eldest of his three children and his only daughter. He and my mother were together for 40 years and married for 38 years. He loved gardening, carpentry, mechanics, cooking, fishing, and also enjoyed old shows like Gunsmoke and Andy Griffith.

He worked for the city of Winston Salem, and was in a workplace accident last August (2022), in which the truck malfunctioned. He was thrown from the truck and had blunt force trauma to his head. He didn’t survive this tragic and devastating accident and the world lost a beautiful soul, an amazing father, a loyal husband, and a relentless worker.

My father was a tier 4 cancer survivor. He battled type 1 diabetes for most of his life, as well as Addison’s disease. He never let any of that hold him back from working hard and providing for his family. He was a man of great strength, courage and tenacity. Our entire family is still adjusting to life without him in it. It has been the hardest struggle that we have all faced.

Frankie was the kindest person I’ve ever known. He had the biggest heart and would do anything for anyone; especially those who he loved. He had the most beautiful smile that would light up any room he walked into.

Frankie was the life of the party. He was so gregarious and easy to talk to. He grew up as a child actor and fashion runway model. Frankie also had Asperger’s Syndrome which caused him a lot of stress and anxiety. The more time he spent with his friends, the more he noticed his differences.

I wish Frankie could have seen how beautiful he was and known how much he meant to everyone who knew him. He is so loved and missed. Frankie was such a giving and kind person that I wanted to honor his decision to be an organ donor.

My father was an awesome person anyone that met him knew he was a warm hearted person and would have helped anyone he could when I received the call after he passed from miracles in sight I knew that if he could help someone he would and I felt like he lives on with the help of other in need I’m grateful that someone could use his eye tissue he was loved by many he had 5 children and 19 grandchildren he left behind that was happy to know he could help someone in need even when he left this life thanks to miracles in sight for find someone that could use his eye tissue.

When I received the letter that his eye tissue was used my whole heart lite up and tears just poured from my eyes I appreciate the updates

My dad worked on a farm his whole life from the age of 4 he loved running heavy machinery ginning cotton his personality was funny kind respectful and most of all loving and caring for his family friends and job he love going to Jordan lake every summer swimming and fishing.

My brother was an amazing human being.  He was three years older than me, and he was my hero since the day I was born.  He read every book we owned to me and my sister and was always reading, learning, studying, and exploring to learn more than most young boys his age.  Our childhood was filled with wonder and excitement because Doug was constantly introducing us to the solar system through his telescope, microorganisms through his microscope, and amazing stories and facts through the books he read and shared with us.  

His eyes saw many wonderful wonders and there are not enough words to express how soothing they were when he looked at you.  

I found out I had cancer when I was in my 20’s.  He came straight to the hospital and without saying a word I could tell he was there to support and offer me comfort just from the look in his eyes.  

I loved him, looked up to him, and always wanted to make him proud.  We laughed, sang, played games, and had the most amazing friendship that any siblings could possibly have.  

I would like to say to the recipient of his donation these words.  God Bless you and keep you safe and healthy and please know that the donation of my brother was completely out of love and grace.  Those two words completely describe my amazing brother.  He loved everyone and loved God and it showed in everything he did in his life.  May you live long and love your people and enjoy your life.  I find some comfort in my tremendous grief that part of my brother lives on in someone else.  

God Bless,

Brenda Haynes