THANKS RALPH - YOU WERE A GREAT FRIEND

                Prior to Perry and I marrying, we felt Cleveland, Tennessee would be an ideal choice for our home and ministry headquarters.  It was a centrally located area. It had a small town feeling with mountains surrounding the city, which Perry said "Any place I live has to have mountains...you can take the boy out of the mountains, but never take the mountains out of the boy."  There was another reason - actually the main reason we moved to Cleveland.  All of Perry's printing and tape ministry was being done in Cleveland, at Carroll Printing.

                I remember before being married to Perry he drove with me all the way from Northport, Alabama, to Cleveland, Tennessee (about 4 hours) just to turn in a small magazine. We then turned around and went back to Alabama. In those days, Perry would drive for hours without stopping and go for days without eating.  I was so hungry, but was hesitant to ask him if we could stop and eat.  I didn't want to interrupt his fasting pattern.

                Getting back to Carroll Printing, one of the first families we met in Cleveland was the Ralph Carroll family, who owned Carroll Printing. Ralph founded the shop and his wife Ruth and their sons helped run the business, including the presses. It seemed every family member and even close relatives were involved in every aspect of the business. Carroll Printing printed the VOE magazine, revival posters, cassette and video inserts, books and just about anything else that needed ink!

                Ralph was such a help to us when we moved to Cleveland.  When we needed a bank, an auto mechanic, a doctor or any other service, we could go to Ralph who knew just who to recommend in each situation.  When we organized the VOE ministry as a non- profit organization, Ralph was asked to serve on the Board of Directors and did so from the very beginning.

                Recently, Ralph suddenly passed away.  He was getting up there in years and his health was not what it once was. Until the very end, he believed in our ministry and was very proud to be a part of our Board of Directors.  He always gave good counsel and advice. His brother Jack was our CPA for many years until passing away, and their brother Max was the real estate agent that negotiated the property that our two buildings now sit on.

                Ralph's wife Ruth told Perry one of the most amazing stories that Perry placed in the new book Angels on Assignment.  In honor of the Carroll family and their generations of faith in God, Perry is placing the story on the main site for people to read and enjoy.  We appreciate all the Carroll family and their kindness toward us.  Ralph has now joined so many Carroll's that have entered the Heavenly Kingdom. There is no telling how many people have been blessed and helped by the printed Gospel that has passed through the presses at Carroll Printing.  May God bless the Carroll family.  We will miss Ralph at the board meetings; however, he has a much bigger meeting to plan for in heaven.

Love and Prayers,

Pam Stone