GW Micro released the following announcement:

On behalf of the entire staff of GW Micro, it is with deep
sadness that we must announce the passing away of Clarence
Whaley on Saturday morning, June 14.  To read his obituary
please go to 

http://www.crawfordservices.com/index.cfm

choose the Obituaries link and search for Whaley.

Clarence worked with us at GW Micro for almost 10 years,
serving as Sales Manager and also Director of Training.  He
worked at many trade shows, gave many presentations both in
the US and abroad, trained many people in the use of
Window-Eyes, the Braille Sense and Voice Sense notetakers
plus other products.  Clarence was always ready to explain
how to do a certain task in an easy-going manner that no one
else could match.  Clarence always made people feel
comfortable and at-ease and they had confidence in his
abilities.

Clarence loved his Seeing Eye dogs and they assisted him
wherever he traveled.  He was active in the music business
and enjoyed many types of songs although I am certain his
favorite was the music from his hometown - Nashville,
Tennessee.

For those of you who wish to express your feelings, thoughts
and memories of Clarence, we encourage you to
write something here about Clarence to help others remember him
and know him a little better.  This could be anything from a
phone conversation to an in-depth training session.
Clarence was very active and he touched a lot of lives with
his service.

Clarence is survived by his wife Dranda as well as other
family members.  Please keep them in your thoughts and
prayers as they work through this time of grief and
mourning.  He was a well-loved member of the GW Micro family
and we will truly miss him.

Sincerely,

Dan, Doug and the entire GW Micro staff

Drum Line Audition Results!

Tenor

Jacob Murrell

Snare

Alec Martin

Nic Giordano

Jon Micah Bayliss

Bass

Ethan Merritt- Bass 1

Dalton Hawkins- Bass 2

Devin Manlove- Bass 3

Brandon Lyons- Bass 4

Eugene Alton Jackson, 74, was born January 30, 1933 in Haskell, Okla. and passed away Feb. 4, 2007 in Nashville.He was married to Janette L. Jackson of Huttig, Arkansas on June 26, 1954. To this union was born two children: Mrs. Darla Hughes of Murfreesboro and Jana Jackson of Brentwood.

Rev. Jackson responded to the call to preach at 19 and continued to faithfully proclaim the message of salvation as long as his physical strength would permit. In addition to his immediate family and near relatives, he leaves a host of friends who will miss the warmth of his friendship.

His first pastorate was New Hope Assembly Of God in Monticello, Ark. with his wife Janet at his side. After pastoring a short time, they went on the evangelistic field, preaching wherever the doors opened.

In 1959 he accepted the pastorate of First Assembly Of God in Milan, Tenn. where he stayed until accepting a position of leadership with the Tennessee District of the Assemblies of God as District Youth and Christian Education Director/Secretary-Treasurer.

While continuing as Secretary-treasurer for the District, he had a vision for a church in Hendersonville, which he pioneered in 1968.

His ministry at the Hendersonville Assembly of God extended far beyond the walls of his church. He became recognized in the greater Nashville area due to his late-night TV program, “The New Life Hour,” and a daily radio broadcast, “Christ Is the Answer.”

In 1977 he was elected as Tennessee District Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, where his passion and vision to win the lost was ignited in the hearts of many ministers across the state. While serving as District Superintendent, he also served on various boards within his denomination, including Hillcrest Children’s Home and Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri.

In 1998, the General Council of the Assemblies of God looked to this pastor with a heart for young preachers to serve as one of the Executive Presbyters of the organization.

In 1983, he had a vision for Cornerstone Church and personally financed the church plant that is now flourishing and reaching multitudes with the Gospel. After retiring from his work with the Tennessee District, he became the pastor of Middle Tennessee Assembly in 2005, where he served until his death.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Janet; two daughters and one son-in-law, Darla and Brian Hughes of Murfreesboro, and Jana Jackson of Brentwood; two grandchildren, Brianna and Brad Hughes; one brother, Jay Jackson and his wife Jean, and son, Jay D. Jackson.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 8, and 2 5 p.m., Friday, Feb. 9, at the Cornerstone Church.

Funeral services are 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 9, at the Cornerstone Church with Rev. Eddie Turner, Rev. Bobby Johnson and Rev. Don Brankel officiating.

Active pallbearers are Randall McCarty, Ron Woods, Gary Green, Larry Vine, Barry Culberson and Todd Alexander. Honorary pallbearers are members of the Tennessee District Board of Assemblies of God.

Entombment service will be 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 10, at Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Camp Jackson, c/o Tennessee District, PO Box 358, Madison, TN 37115.

Published: Wednesday, 02/07/07

I know it’s been a long time since I’ve posted anything… last June, to be exact. So much has happened… some good, some bad!

My dog/daughter, Chloe, passed away last June. She was my baby and we miss her so much. sniff!

Jacob is in the marching band playing the bass drum. I actually made it to a few games to see him march. Next year he will probably play the tenor drums. He has a set (quints) here at home that he plays non-stop. The neighbors love him. GRIN!

Jacob turned 16 in December and we had some of his friends spend the night. I am so glad I have a son! I can handle a bunch of boys playing Xbox and eating all the time. If I had to deal with girls and their drama, I think I’d go insane.

Thanksgiving and Christmas were difficult this year. Since Kara’s house blew away in the tornado, I decided to stay home and cook Thanksgiving dinner. The food was great and nobody died so I guess it was a success.

Christmas was spent at my Mom’s house. The whole family gathered there for dinner and we had good food and even better conversation. (I didn’t drink too much wine this year either. yeah!)

Let’s fast forward to 2007:

My sister, Joanna, just purchased the house next door to me. Miss Mary was my neighbor for 11 years and she passed away in Jan. 2006. Joanna has lived half a mile down the street and it is nice having her close. We all hope we can survive being right next door to each other. Please pray for us! HA HA HA
She is in the process of remodeling the house now, but should be moved in within the next few weeks. I’ll keep you updated on our progress.

Oh yeah, I have a roommate now. Sonja Homan moved in last September and in December she came to work for me. It was a wee bit difficult at first having someone here all the time, but we’ve adjusted nicely and I’ve realized that I enjoy having someone to help with the housework and laundry.
Sonja’s arrival has also forced me to do some things around the house that I’ve been putting off for years. I finally had my big screen TV repaired, bought new couches, and had Joanna paint the great room (Kara picked out the color) and hang my new copper wall fountain that I got for Christmas. The room looks great now and I’ve even been building fires in my fireplace. This place is finally starting to feel like home again!

I guess that’s all for now. I’ll try to write more often.

It’s been so long since I’ve posted anything that I don’t know where to start.

I guess I’ll start with this: Life is really good!

I’ve been traveling a lot with work and creating special moments with the people I love while I work. It really doesn’t get much better. We are even being treated like royalty wherever we go. Just ask Jana about our stay in Chattanooga and the incredible dinner at Porter’s. (We got in without a reservation… They must’ve recognized us. GRIN!)

Also a big shout out to my Margarita buddies from Talladega. That was an incredibly special evening for me and I want you all to know that I am so blessed to have you in my life.

I never dreamed that we would have a live concert up in the executive suite of the Comfort Inn. Umm Umm Umm! Ladies, you can serenade me anytime, anyplace, anywhere!

Memorial Day was fun! I did drink a little too much tequila on an empty stomach, but I enjoyed being with my family and Jacob’s friends.

I must go for now. The “Queen” needs to get some work done so she can go stay at a luxury hotel & spa for 3 nights.

I know you’re thinking, “How does she do it?” 

Well, thank God I am the Queen!

HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA

My sister, Kara, fought a tornado last week and won.

The house was destroyed and she was trapped in it until the fire dept. jacked up the house and pulled her out. She has bumps and bruises but no major damage. She just feels like a house fell on her. GRIN!

A fireman told me that God was definitely with her. We are all so thankful that she is ok. The world would be such a dull place without her in it!!!

Please pray for all of the victims of the storm. Many houses were destroyed and more than 10 people were killed. It was truly a disastrous day.

I also want to thank all of the rescue workers who assisted my family and the rest of the community. These folks do so much with little recognition and not near enough appreciation.

Next time you see a fireman, shake his/her hand and let them know how much we value what they do.

I recently spent some time in Atlanta. I haven’t been there in ages. It used to be a safe haven for me, a place for healing and experiencing friendship and unconditional love, a place I always longed to be… so I was a little anxious about going back. I expected to be sad and depressed.

As soon as I crossed into Georgia, memories from the last seven years of my life flooded in and much to my surprise, there were no bad memories, no negative thoughts, no sadness, no anger, and no regrets… only LOVE!

I ended up having a wonderful time visiting with old friends, making new friends, and creating lots of new memories.
I now realize that Atlanta is still a safe haven for me, a place for healing and experiencing friendship and unconditional love.
Look out Hotlanta… I’ll be back!!!

Alright, I’m doing something I hate to do… venting about a Microsoft product. I happen to love Microsoft. They’ve given me some great software and I don’t know how I would function without them, but I’ve really come to hate Internet Explorer!

I switched to Firefox last year and I love it. I didn’t realize how much until I started creating my new website. I discovered that my pages look fine in Firefox and messed up in IE.
(Thanks Peter!)
I had to re-write several pages to make them look consistent in both IE and Firefox. Why? I’m no super-geek, but to me, code is code… good or bad. If my code is good enough for Firefox, it should be good enough for IE. NOT!

And let’s not even get into the problems with IE 7. I know… I’m running a beta version, but it’s a sad, poor, pitiful excuse of a Firefox look-a-like.
Once again I say “Thank God for Open Source”.

Ok folks, this is my first blog so if it doesn’t work I apologize I’ll get better. Anyway, a short ramble tonight since I got to get up for work in the morning. First off, I’m giving shouts out to Queen Buffy, you’re makin it girl, I’m glad I got a chance to see it. Ok, enough of that, and on to what I was wanting to spout off about tonight.

I’ve finally tapped back into my music, never thought I’d see all my life hobbies and loves come to an almost combined area but they have, I’ve finally found me Praise God and I love it. I’ve gotten back into my music and I’ve always been one to find the good stuff even though it’s off-beat as all get-out, if it moves it’s me. Miri Ben-Ari, the Hi Hop Violinist (don’t laugh too hard until you give it a chance) has floored me this crazy Monday night. I’m cranking this as I write this ramble and I’m totally amazed. I never thought hip hop and classical would even fit, but she makes it fit. She’s cute too but that’s beside the point, the kid’s got it. Some tracks are pretty good most of them are just awesome. The stuff on here with her and Anthony Hamilton soars, it’s too sweet. It’s not a bad album. I just snagged this one from Napster and thank goodness it’s on the hard drive or I’d wear a hole in this one, it’s definitely gonna get some strong work play from me within the next few days.

Now, for the serious side before I close out for the night. (This is addicting I could get used to doing this. I may have to create my own after a while. And, plus this one is accessible as heck, way to go yet again, Queen Buffy. Folks need to sit up and pay attention.) Anyway, my life’s journey has taught me a lot, as well as strengthened me, helping me to grow and shaping me into the person I am now. God knew what He was doing even when I didn’t. As I sit here on this chilly Monday night in Montgomery and open up the writing avenue I haven’t touched in years I realize, life isn’t just about the money you make. It helps pay the bills but that ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. It’s the friends you make along the way, the people that you touch, and that touch you throughout this road that make it the best, strongest and brightest it can ever be.

If you ever stop to wonder why isn’t this happening or why isn’t this going the way I want it to go, stop and think. Have you done anything to make it happen? Step out, step up, and swing. If you miss, at least you can say you at least gave it your best shot but do it, don’t hold back. A dream becomes a reality when you wake up and live it. It stays a dream, a fantasy, when you hide it, tuck it away, and just keep telling yourself, I wish. Make I wish, I will. The ride may look scary but man, when you get on that thing it’s the coolest ride you’ve ever been on, break out and move up. Ok I’ll shut up now.

Good night y’all, from way down South. Keep an eye out, you may see me again, from time to time with technology spatterings, life in general, books, music, whatever. Since we’re letting our hair down y’all get to see a side of me that I’ve recently started seeing and he ain’t half bad. I owe some of that to friends that have seen me on my way up, and out. Catch y’all next time.