On January 31st, 1954, a daughter was born to Willie McAdoo “Mac” Wester and Evelyn Grey Dozier Wester. Her name was Nancy Carol. She was raised on the family farm. “Sanci” as Mr. Mac called her, spent her childhood working on the farm, along side her two older brothers, Billy and Tommy, picking cotton and peanuts. She spent her weekends playing with friends and fishing at the pond on the Wester Farm. When she was 10 years old, she was diagnosed with type I diabetes. This was a challenge, especially for a young girl growing up in the 60’s, but it never got her down. She always held her head up high and never let it get the best of her. With the guidance of her Grandmother, Maggie, she accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a very young age, and she let her Christian faith guide her throughout life.
She graduated high school in 1972. She was member of many clubs and organizations while in school. She had dreams of becoming a nurse, but she laughingly told me once that she never followed through because she didn’t have the stomach for the job. Before she graduated, she met the love of her life, while she was engaged to another man! She met her soul mate in a hotel restaurant, where they were both working. And on this day, June 6th, some 37 years ago, she married Jeffrey Sauls from Goldsboro. Mac and Evelyn did not approve of Jeff at first, but soon they realized what a great man he was. Throughout their long life together, there were most definitely some struggles, but more than that, there were great times and a great love that kept them together.
In November, of 1986, Jeff and Nancy invited Jeff’s nine year old son to come live with them due to his mother’s failing health. Even though Mike was not her own son, Nancy loved him as though he was.
On August 5th, 1987 a miracle occurred, I was born. She and Dad had two children that were waiting for her in Heaven. The doctors told her when she got pregnant with me, that she should end the pregnancy because of her health. She and Dad knew that this was not an option. According to the doctors, neither one of us should have made it, but it was always in God’s hands.
Mom’s sugar was a constant struggle, dad often called her “yo-yo” because it would bounce around so much. No matter what it never got the best of her. As difficult as it was, she always knew that God was in control.
All of her life she enjoyed making ugly things pretty. She was happiest when she had a paint brush in one hand and a hammer in the other. She would take an odd piece of furniture, or an unattractive frame or picture, and add some paint and some nails and make it a true work of art, a masterpiece. She loved taking spontaneous trips with the family. I remember as a kid, being awoken at 2 or 3 in the morning and having to pack a suitcase, because we were going to the beach for the weekend. That’s how she was. She would get a crazy, harebrained idea and run with it.
I never knew Mom to have any friends. Everyone she loved and cared for, blood relative or not, was always considered family.
She passed away peacefully. She left her sick body for a new one in Heaven. She no longer suffers, or worries about her sugar. She now has a new body, and I’m sure an unlimited supply of paint.
Dad always joked that she would be late for her own funeral. It is my human opinion that she got there way too early. As tough as it is, I realize that she was just on time, God’s time. Mom will be sorely missed, by me especially. She was more than my mother, she was my very best friend. She loved her family, and would want us not to mourn a death, but to celebrate a home-coming of one of God’s children.
