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

Hi, I wasn’t sure how to start this letter. It’s a hard one to write. It’s been about 4 months since we lost my husband and dad to our 13-year-old girl. I wanted to write the ones whose lives will be changed by our sacrifice to let them know we are happy about the donation he was able to make. I wanted to tell you a few things about him…

He was a loving father and husband.

He loved Clemson Football even during their losing streaks.

He was a good provider and loved cooking for us, especially on special occasions.

He loved to travel around the area and would get us up at random times just to go to places like the beach and mountains.

He was strong and stubborn and that got him through so much in his life. 

He was old-fashioned in so many ways.

He loved watching shows like Andy Griffin and old Westerns and anything about cars and motorcycles.

Years before he passed, he loved riding motorcycles but as time went on, he could no longer do that.

He was a hard worker sometimes too hard, he loved to be on the go and sometimes that was a bad thing. He told me I taught him to enjoy the small things and made him to be a better man. He made me better too.

My advice on how to honor what he has given you is to enjoy your life to the fullest. Enjoy the small things in life and take time for family and friends because it can be taken at a moment’s notice. We lost him very quickly and wish every day we could have more time with him. Life is too short.

With Blessings for your future.

-Your donor family.