Rotina McCoy Sheppard

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Carter-Trent Funeral Home

Rotina McCoy Sheppard

Rotina McCoy-Sheppard, 45, a native of Kingsport and former owner of Rotina’s By The River Art and Frame Gallery, Weber City, VA, went to be with the Lord Sunday (November 11,2007), after a brief battle with breast cancer.An artist from a very early age, Rotina’s art has won several awards, including Kingsport’s Fun Fest Barrel painting and various art shows. Rotina was a member of the Kingsport Art Guild and enjoyed working in clay and paint with her friends at the Kingsport Senior Citizens Center. Rotina attended Ketron and graduated from North High School. She had worked many years in picture framing prior to opening her own gallery. She is survived by her husband David Sheppard, Jonesborough, TN; parents, Denver and Kathy McCoy, Kingsport, TN; sisters, Rhonda Begley, Kingsport, TN, Robin McCoy, Seymour, TN; brothers, Randy McCoy and wife Katrina, Kingsport, TN, Rickey McCoy, Chesnee, SC; step-daughter, Michelle Sheppard, Kingsport, TN; granddaughter, India Sheppard, Kingsport, TN; special nieces and nephews, Crystal and Cathlyn Coats, Jamie, Jared and Seth Sullivan, Heath, Eric, BJ, Lesha, Kayden and Uriah McClellan and D’Artagnan McCoy; Several aunts, uncles, and cousins as well as other family members and lots & lots of friends who loved her dearly. All will miss her smiling face, but will rejoice in her new home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.Calling hours will be 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, (November 13, 2007) at Carter-Trent Funeral Home, Kingsport. Family and friends may also visit anytime at the home of Kathy and Denver McCoy, 852 East Independence Drive.Funeral services will be 7 p.m. Tuesday in the funeral home chapel with Rev. Charles Bogle and Rev. Oscar McCoy officiating.Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday (November 14, 2007) at Chestnut Flats Church Cemetery, Lucy Road. Pallbearers will be Gilbert McNutt, Eric McClellan, Bo McClellan, Jerry Sheppard, Randy McCoy, Tommy McNutt, Paul Brummitt and Katrina McCoy; Honorary Pallbearers will be BJ McClellan, Heath McClellan and Frank Pook. Friends and family who wish to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery by 10:55 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations will be accepted by Rhonda Begley, 852 E. Independence Drive, Kingsport, TN, 37660.Carter-Trent Funeral Home, Kingsport is serving the Sheppard family.

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ROTINA'S TRANSISTION TO HER NEW HOME

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Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 12:12 PM Subject: Funeral arrangements for Rotina

Rotina transistioned to her new home in heaven on Sunday November 11th, 2007 around 4:10 pm and I would like to thank each and everyone for their love and concern and many prayers, you have been a great comfort and support in a time of need - the family sincerely appreciates your prayers and support. This site will remain for all of those whom have need of prayers and healing and an ongoing tribute to their lives and needs. If you have such request you may email them to rotinaart@yahoo.com again we thank all of you who lifted up Rotina and the others on her website and ask you to continue your visitation often for new postings and prayer requests. Taking back the net for Christ. (jerry) Sent: Monday, November 12, 2007 12:12 PM Subject: Funeral arrangements for RotinaTo my friends:Below are the directions to the funeral home and burial site. Funeral viewing will begin at 5pm on Tuesday November 13th with services taking place at 7pm. This will be held at Carter-Trent Funeral Home. Directions below. Should you need additional assistance in finding the funeral home please call:

(423) 245-4101Grave side services will be Wednesday November 14th at 10:55am and will be at the grave site located at Chestnut Flats Primitive Baptist Church. Directions below.If you are unable to attend either service please do not feel that we will in any way be offended as we know we all have busy lives.Thank you for all prayers and loving kindness extended to Rotina, her family and myself during Rotina's battle. Please know that she, the family and I appreciate all you have done.

Directions to Funeral Home:

Merge onto I-26 (was I-181) N / US-23 N via EXIT 57B toward KINGSPORT.

8.4 milesTake the W STONE DR / US-11W exit- EXIT 55.

0.2 milesKeep RIGHT at the fork to go on W STONE DR / US-11W N / TN-1 E.

0.8 milesTurn RIGHT onto DONELSON DR. 0.2 miles

Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto W SULLIVAN ST. 0.6 miles

Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto WATAUGA ST. 0.1 miles

End at Carter-Trent Funeral Home - 520 Watauga St, Kingsport, TN 37660,

Directions to grave site:

Merge onto I-26 (was I-181) N / US-23 N via EXIT 57B toward KINGSPORT.

4.3 milesTake the TN-93 N exit- EXIT 51.

0.4 milesMerge onto S JOHN B DENNIS HWY.

7.5 milesTurn RIGHT onto BLOOMINGDALE RD.

1.0 milesTurn LEFT onto LUCY RD. - Church is approximately 2 miles on left.

Chestnut Flats Primitive Baptist Church.Consider Ron Paul for President in 2008 ronpaul2008.comTo grasp the sovereign movement, to navigate the grand deception perpetrated upon the people, is to understand the story of amazing grace..." I once was blind but now I see."http://goaddr.com/csf

HERE SHE COMES by Rita O.

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"Here She Comes" By Henry Van Dyke I am standing upon the sea shore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says; "There, she is gone! " "Gone where? " Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at that moment when someone at my side says, "There, she is gone! " There are other eyes watching her and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes! " And that is dying. Submitted by Rita O. in the Pottery Class with Rotina

UPDATE ON ROTINA AND HER STRUGGLE

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Here is a brief update on Rotina. As of this past Thursday at 12:30am, Rotina was taken to the emergency room at Johnson City Medical Center. She was having excruciating pain and lots of trouble breathing. As you know her cancer is now seeping from her chest wall. She arrived at the emergency room around 1:00am but could get no assistance with her pain until around 4:30; reason being is most doctors in the ER do not know how to manage pain for a cancer patient. However, God blessed Rotina in that a nurse came on duty that used to work on the cancer ward and familiar with cancer pain management. She immediately started taking control and assisting Rotina with the proper medication. As the nurse was bent down in front of Rotina's face checking her pulse, Rotina, ever so gently, cupped the nurses face in the palms of her hands and in her weakened voice smiled and told the nurse she loved her. The nurse responded in kind and arrangements were made to move Rotina to the cancer ward. By this time, Rotina was very weak and her voice in a whisper being barely audible at times. A doctor came in and informed us that her blood pressure had dropped with the bottom number as low as 30. They have given her an IV that provides a boost to her blood pressure but it cannot be a continuous remedy to the situation. Once this is removed, the doctor has told us and Rotina that her pressure will decrease and she will pass. He directly asked Rotina if she understood and would she want to be resuscitated should this happen. Rotina was unclear as to what the doctor meant and gave a questioning look toward her sister, Rhonda. Rhonda explained to Rotina that the doctor was asking if she would want to be brought back to which Rotina replied, "Why would I want to be brought back from Heaven to this?" Rotina is now heavily sedated, her breathing very labored, yet she still will respond with a moan when one talks to her. Short of a miracle from God and if his will, I ask that Rotina be allowed to make the transition from this life to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. her will to live is amazing and she has always managed a smile until she has become physically unable to do so. Jerry, please thank all those in prayer for Rotina and know they are appreciated by all of us affected by her challenge, including Rotina. Should God choose to take her, I will miss her greatly but I will be glad of heart for the end to her suffering. Oh what pain my Lord did bear for our sins! I know it was much greater than what Rotina has endured as he was taking on all our sins. To God be all glory! Jerry, as you know, I am not one to usually ask of others for help but we could use some financial assistance. If anyone would like to make a suggested donation of $23.00 or more, we will mail them a print of Rotina's painting titled Sisters Three. Should they decide to do so, we ask they send a $23.00 money order to David Sheppard and mail it to 2719 Hwy 11 E, Jonesborough, TN 37690 being sure to include their name and address where the print can be mailed and write DONATION in the line of what the money order is to be used for. Again, I regret having to ask for the assistance as I know these are hard times for everyone. And speaking of hard times, I have been looking at where our country is heading and the outlook is not the greatest other than the expected return of Jesus Christ. However, being a Christian, I know it is my duty to uphold the law of our land which is the constitution. In looking at the issues being proffered by the Presidential Candidates for 2008, I see only one worthy of the support of We The People and that is Congressman Ron Paul. I would suggest all take a look at not only his issues but his character as well as his voting record. One can view his site by going to http://www.ronpaul2008.com/. Jerry, thank you for being the brother and friend you are. Although you are younger, I have been inspired by your willingness to allow God to work through you and have seen his guidance upon your willing heart. I also see the love he projects through you. I know how much study you have done in allowing God to use you. Again, please thank those following Rotina's challenge, their prayers and their support! Your brother and brother in Christ, David

PRAY FOR IVORY

Sorry to report: Ivory has passed but please continue to pray for the family. 11/25/2007

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Would appreciate it if you would keep her and her family in your prayers...It is definitely a tough time for them right now.This request is from a friend of Rebecca at Grace BC.Hello to everyone, hope your doing well. I have apersonal favor to ask of you, (knowing your praying people) My son in law's sister IVORY is 7 years old and this week she was riding her go cart WITHOUT A HELMET, and lost control landing her under a neighbors double wide that didn't have any skirting.She was stopped by the floor and support beam by her NECK. She slashed her neck from her ear to her larynx,cutting her thyroid, her juggler was torn slightly causing the blood to drain into her lungs,which then collapsed,she broke her neck, & broke her back. She was air lifted to MUSC , she has had 1 operation on her lower back and they found her spinal cord to be totally cut.They have to wait for 2 weeks to operate on her larynx,thyroid and neck.Not knowing until then if her spinal cord is torn at theneck... which will tell to what extent she will be paralyzed.This little girl is only seven years old and has her whole life to live. Iask you to lift her up to God in prayer.And if you wouldn't mind adding her to your Church prayer chain, we all know what God can do when we only have Faith and come together in unity .I have added an attachment of Ivory, she is the little girl to the left,and then one of her in the Hospital, she is such a pretty little girl,this accident just breaks my heart.Thank you SO much for your time and most importantly...your prayers. From: Jan at Grace Baptist Church, Knoxville, Tennessee

RECENT UPDATE 10-24-2007

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RECENT UPDATE 10-24-2007

Hi David. Hope you're doing well - seems like you're busy with your campaigning and rallies! I hope you are enjoying them! Talked to Rotina last Saturday and she said she wasn't doing well - said the place on her breast that she had hit with the pack that she carried had gotten bad and was cancerous - and that also the cancer that was on her neck had started coming back. So I'm checking with you for an update on her - I will call her this weekend but don't like to bother her at night. How do you think she is doing????? I think about you two a lot and pray for you. I know that it is hard for you to have to deal with all this, along with her family also. That India sure is sweet and pretty!

Susie

Susie:I have been having somewhat of a sore throat so I have not gone to see Rotina for a couple of days. I talk with her daily and she told me this today. A friend of Bob's said God had placed it on her heart to go and pray for Rotina (hands on) so I called Rotina to see how she felt about that. She said it would be OK. I also told her (Rotina) that the lady wanted to know if she was getting discouraged. Rotina told me she was a little. First time I have heard that from her. She is sounding much weaker to me and she dropped by the apartment on Monday (after chemo) and wanted to go upstairs for some things. She had to crawl up the stairs with me behind in case she fell. It broke my heart Susie, to see her in this condition. I have a gut feeling that she is nearing the time of meeting our Savior. I find myself becoming very lonely, even more than before. With all that said, I do know the cancer is seeping from her chest wall and there is also a tumor located there. The one she referred to about her neck I have yet to see. It is my hope, if this is the time, she will not have to suffer greatly. She has seen her share of that already. I still believe God is able to do whatever he desires and if it is for her to be with him then I will rest in that. Thanks for the continued prayers.David

UPDATE: OCTOBER 22, 2007

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Approximately four to five weeks ago (time seems to escape me these days) Rotina's condition was such that I had to almost carry her to the bathroom, undress her and dress her when she finished all the while holding on to her so she did not fall over. I then helped her back to bed. She did not know her name; she would just stare at the ceiling and was, for the most part, unresponsive. As you know, she is staying with her mom as I have to attend to daily activities and I often spend what time I have left at her mom's house. The property we own in Jonesborough ends at a small bridge and the state is ready to replace the bridge. In doing so they contacted me to make arrangements to purchase a very small portion of our land. The lady who came to meet with me to discuss the purchase was named Denise (Rotina's middle name) and she was aware of Rotina's cancer. While there she asked about Rotina. After I told her of Rotina's condition above, she asked if she could share her story. As she talked, she told me she had developed breast cancer approximately three years ago. And... the rest of the story is the fascinating part.She said the first time she went to have her chemo she, while entering the entrance to the building, encountered a six year old, little blond haired, blue eyed girl. She stated the little girl started asking her questions such as, "Do you have cancer? Are you going to take chemo? Do you have a port? Are you scared?" Denise answered all the little girl's questions and they even showed each other their ports. The little girl also removed the blond wig to reveal her head made bald from the chemo. Answering the little girl's last question of being scared, Denise had told her she was scared to which she (the little girl) replied "I was too but I got over it" and they proceeded to the entrance of the chemo room. As they neared the entrance, the little girl started into the room with Denise but her mother told her she could not go in. The adults and children's chemo rooms are separated. The little girl insisted, telling her mom she needed to assist Denise because she was scared and proceeded into the room leaving her mom standing in the hall. Denise said the little girl talked while the nurses prepared Denise for the chemo and walked around the room talking with the other patients. Then, at the insistence of her mother, she said bye and left the room heading down the hall to the children's chemo room.After chemo, Denise said she had been so inspired by this little girl that she wanted to purchase her a gift and went down the hall to inquire of the little girls name. Once there, she described the appearance of the little girl to the staff in the children's chemo room and they told her they had no one there fitting that description. Thinking her mind may have been playing tricks on her, Denise returned to her chemo room asking the nurses if they had seen the little girl and all assured her they had. To this day, Denise has yet to locate this little girl.I relate the story above to tell you this. After the story, both Denise and I cried and hugged; she went back to her work and I went back to visit Rotina. Once back at Rotina's, I sat on the side of the bed and told Rotina the story. In two hours I saw improvement. The next day, Rotina was up on her walker attending her own needs and the next day after that she was moving about without the walker and has since been going to events such as doing her clay and attending some of the festivals in this area. Do not ask me the significance of the little girl because I do not know the answer. I do know God, in his infinite wisdom, can do as he wishes. I do not know what all this means. I just know that Rotina improved after the story. From the onset of this challenge, the doctors have given Rotina two weeks to two months to two years to live. As you know she has surpassed the first two but she is not, as the saying goes, out of the woods. She went to the doctor yesterday to have another round of chemo but they could not do it as her port has become infected. They also told her that they are seeing another tumor and the cancer is again starting to seep from her right chest wall. She also had to have minor surgery yesterday to remove the port. I was allowed to stay in the room and could see the grimace on her face from the injection of the numbing shot prior to the surgery. Through it all she continues to smile and be thankful to God. When we were sitting and talking about a week ago, she told me she looked like an alien with the bald head which made me cry. She is so beautiful in my eyes and it pains my heart to see her suffer. She is to go into surgery again in November to replace her port.Please ask everyone to continue to pray for God's will in our lives and we (Rotina and I) appreciate all the concern, well wishes and prayers. We thank each of you.David