My story starts the day my mother died. I was five. As the youngest, I didn’t understand the impact it would have on my life. My dad remarried and my stepmother was young and had a time taking on the responsibility of raising five kids. I can see how difficult this must have been. I had a hard time adjusting too.
When my dad and stepmother began to have children, things got complicated. Dad had a hard time getting work, so the family split. My older sisters moved in with my grandmother, while 10-year-old me stayed with my dad, stepmother, younger sister and brother. It was difficult to be separated from my sisters, but I pressed on.
Years passed and things got more difficult. We moved a lot, changing schools often. Money was scarce. School was hard being poor. But my dad loved us greatly and shared the love of Jesus.
My dad became disabled making it harder to make ends meet. Eventually my dad and stepmother separated, and I went to live with my grandmother. I was still close to my dad and loved him, but felt abandoned. Seeing him periodically was nice, but not the same.
After moving in with grandmother, we attended church and I was reunited with my sisters. Life became stable – the basics were always there. I left survival mode. I was doing better overall.
Later, I had the opportunity to spend a summer with dad. He asked if I would move back. I agreed, but soon I found myself in that familiar situation.
Those years were difficult. We had no power for months and sometimes no running water, but I wanted to be with dad. God provided – I never went hungry, and I always had a roof over my head, even if those roofs changed frequently.
I got older and started getting into trouble. I got caught shoplifting – my wakeup call. I decided this isn’t how I wanted things to be. One night I came home late and there wasn’t anyone there to let me into the apartment. I ended up waiting in my car listening to dangerous things happening around me. I did not want to live here.
I had no idea where to go, so I reached out to my friend, Julianne, looking for advice. She began calling friends to point me in the right direction. Mr. McClain, told us about a guy that he used to play football with – John Croyle – and this Christian place for kids who needed a home. He set up a visit. A week later, I was dropped off at Big Oak Ranch. I knew that I needed a change and was hoping this was it.
Angie Johnson, a social worker, greeted me and John sat me down to talk. He asked if I was serious about moving to the Ranch and told me it would be a big change. I told him I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t mean it.
He said, “If you can promise me you are serious, I’ll find a place for you..” I agreed and we shook hands. He was right about the big change and the next months were difficult. With so many new things at once I started to doubt. I was just a kid, but I kept going back to Jesus, trusting that things would work out for the best.
My houseparents were a blessing and treated me like their own. Mom Speer became a mother to me filling that empty hurt space left from my mom’s death while Pop Speer was a rock. He taught me you must do the right thing. My time with them was full of meaningful, memorable moments.
Mrs. Angie was another who had a big impact on me. She was always there when I needed to talk and encouraged me. Now we are friends, and I appreciate this relationship that carries over from my days at the Ranch.
Before I came to Big Oak, I could not have imagined an environment like Westbrook Christian School. At Westbrook I was surrounded by coaches and teachers who genuinely cared and wanted success for each student. Phil Williams, Ferris Hall, Mrs. Tee Croyle, Mrs. Talley, Coach Osborne, Larry Fuhrman, John and Mrs. Greer – they all cared not just about your success in the classroom
or on the field, but in life. At Westbrook, I graduated with an advanced diploma.
I met my wife, Angela, at Westbrook. After graduation, we went to college near each other. I proposed to Angela and realized I needed to seriously plan. I moved back to Southside to be a marine technician at Buck’s Island. We married in 2006. Two daughters followed, Rebekah and Arianna.
Angela and I love each other and enjoy our lives together with our kids. We attend church and enjoy serving our community. Our girls have been blessed to attend Westbrook and enjoy some of the same traditions that we remember.
I have worked at Buck’s Island for over 20 years. I earned a promotion to management and lead several departments. Being at Buck’s has been one of the best things. I’ve put my mind and heart into something, and it has been a success for my family.
The most important thing I have in my life is my relationship with Christ. Looking back at the path my life has taken, I can see His hand at work.
I became a believer at a young age. My dad always told me about the love of Christ and as I got older, I knew I needed Him more. My growth started at the Ranch. It is because of Christ I am where I am today. He gets all the credit. The Lord put people in my path who kept me safe and strengthened my foundation in Him. I firmly believe that if we allow Christ to open and close doors in our lives, and call to Him, He will answer.