REMEMBERING LOVED ONES

REMEMBERING LOVED ONES — Joi Davis (from left) of Hornbeak held tight to a balloon as it fluttered in the wind Monday at Veterans Park in Union City during a Balloon Release Memorial Service hosted by Baptist Hospice in Union City. She was trying to read the inscription on it, which stated, “You are loved, You are missed, You are remembered.” The balloons were being distributed to those in attendance by Lily Fortner and Kathy Fortner, both of Martin, and Christy Hensley of Troy. Pastor Rick Bell welcomed those in attendance and introduced Baptist Hospice office staff and nurses, while Melody Pafford introduced hospice volunteers. Bell said there are “nurses doing hospice and then there are hospice nurses. We have hospice nurses.” Nurse Jessica Edmaiston of Union City told family members it is an honor for the nurses to take care of their loved ones. Representing the patients’ families was Pat Haygood, husband of the late Beverly Haygood, who was a hospice patient before she died May 11, 2025. He said they were treated with respect, compassion and professionalism. Haygood currently assists with the Grief Share program at Second Baptist Church in Union City. An additional Grief Share group meets at the Obion County Public Library on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 2-3:30 p.m. Bell said grief should be released, just like the balloons they released.