On July 15, 1954, just outside of Columbia, South Carolina, ¹ a bright light was born into the world. Now you may be thinking, Oh, no. He’s talking about himself again. And you would be right. But this Note is about someone even more special than me, someone also born on July 15, though some 26 years earlier. She was known by some as Mama, others as Nanny. To me, she was always…Aunt Margaret.

 

I don’t remember the first time I met her. (After all, I was only about a month old.) What I do remember is that if we were visiting any part of Clan Graham, she would always be there and spend time with me. She thought it was special that I was born on her birthday, and she always made me feel special.

 

Encourage others and build them up. ²

 

Aunt Margaret was born in Carbondale, a small rural community in Northwest Georgia. ³ It was primarily a location for storing coal to be used to in ships and locomotives. ⁴ People there worked hard and times were often rough. They well understood struggles and also how to survive them.

 

My Aunt learned and applied those lessons well…in caring for her family, helping friends, and encouraging others as they dealt with troubles that life brought their way. She was kind, humble, all around very sweet lady, and a strong Christian woman who loved and followed Jesus.

 

God was with her and gave her strength. ⁵

 

She had difficult times in her life, too. Perhaps the worst were the deaths of her husband, Roy, and grown children…her daughter Patty and a few years later, her son Alan. Those struck deep. She called me a few times and we talked about it all. Hopefully I said something comforting, but she didn’t really need me. Her sons David and Larry stood with her. And God was by her side…and she knew it.

 

My Aunt had a full life. She was wife, mother, sister, daughter, grandmother, great-grandmother, and Aunt. God blessed her with 4 wonderful children, 11 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. In many ways, she was, and remains, the glue within her family, giving them strength, encouraging them, and always loving them.

 

Aunt Margaret passed away peacefully Sunday afternoon, August 11, 2024 at the ripe old age of 96 and I’ve missed her every minute since. Everyone should have an Aunt Margaret. And I was very blessed to have my own.

 

Ciloa Forever!

 

Chuck

 

 

Chuck Graham is Founder and Executive Director of Ciloa, an international ministry devoted to sharing God’s encouragement and teaching others how to “encourage one another as long as it is called Today!” He is also an author, speaker, teacher, and encourager. Chuck and his wife, Beverly, live in Lawrenceville, Georgia, USA. You can learn more about Chuck and Ciloa at www.Ciloa.org.

 

 

Footnotes: (1) For those who have never been to my country, South Carolina is a beautiful state located in southeastern United States. (2) Read 1 Thessalonians 5:11. (3) I have lived most of my life in Georgia, another beautiful state located in southeastern United States. (4) Such locations were known as Coaling Stations and the coal stored there was first used for ship and locomotive steam engines and later for power plants in the generation of electricity. (5) Read 2 Timothy 4:17.

 

Pictures: Banner: The Lord Stood With Me, 2 Timothy 4:17, from the blog of Author Martha L. Shaw, InLoveWithTheLord.wordpress.com. (1) Margaret Faye Graham, Family photo. (2) Aunt Margaret and Sons, from left to right…Larry Graham, David Graham, and Margaret Graham, Family photo.