Annabelle's Garden: A place to remember family and friends

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[September 29, 2016]   MOUNT PULASKI - The Annabelle Phillips and United Methodist Church Family and Friends Memorial Garden in Mount Pulaski was dedicated on Sunday, September 11, 2016. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the church’s 175th anniversary.

The garden was dedicated to the memory of Annabelle Phillips, Richard Hayes, Larry Clements, Sarah Jackson, Kathy Peddicord, Maggie Swain, Shirley Hayes, Kathleen Garret, Melvin Singley and David McAfee.

This project started a couple years ago as the brilliant idea of then Mount Pulaski High School student and Boy Scout Troop 122 member Clayton Lindley. Lindley planned on creating the garden for his Eagle Scout project and drew up detailed plans on his own. When he realized this project had the potential to be bigger and financially more than he anticipated, he decided that it would not be possible to gather the funds on his own and to build it in time to meet the Eagle Scout requirements.

Lindley changed his course of direction for the project and hence turned over the garden plans to the congregation of his church. Lindley, who is currently a sophomore at Eastern Illinois University, was absolutely delighted to see the members of the Mount Pulaski United Methodist Church take his plans and make the garden a reality.

Work on what was an empty lot just east of the United Methodist Church commenced in the springtime. A crew of volunteers worked tirelessly to make the dream a reality.

The garden was truly a labor of love by local contractor Larry Conaway, Jr. and his wife Cindy, who are Annabelle’s grandparents. Annabelle's parents are Darin and Amy Phillips.

Appropriately, Conaway spoke on this absolutely gorgeous September Sunday morning to a crowd made up of the Methodist Church family and community members. In his opening remarks, Conaway spotlighted the talents of others who helped make the garden so unique. “As you see here, this is Scott Lindley’s talents,” said Conaway, as the green and yellow sign reading “Annabelle and Friends Garden” was unveiled.


Addy Phillips holds on tight to her grandfather, Larry Conaway, Jr. as Pastor Zoila Marty addresses the crowd 

Conaway, who was surrounded by his adorable grandchildren, including Annabelle’s siblings, Addy and Dex, then revealed the marquee from the old church that was beautifully refurbished by local jack-of-all-trades, Don Maxheimer.


Annabelle’s grandfather Dan Phillips admires the work of Don Maxheimer, who refurbished the old church marquee

Maxheimer told the story of how Sarah Jackson told her husband Jim, “Go get the marquee from the old church out of the dumpster or wherever it was stored, and save it; which he did, behind his garage, for years and years,” said Maxheimer, noting that Sarah was very smart in telling her husband to save it.

The marquee now rests in the beautiful garden. Maxheimer explained some of the history of the marquee, “I think I was working on something that was about 80 years old.” Indeed, after doing the math, he was right. Maxheimer spruced it up and even modernized it with “new LED lights and a solar system so you can come by and enjoy it at night.”


Pastor Marty and Reverend Harter the day of the dedication of the garden

Pastor Zoila Marty also acted as the emcee of the program and she introduced Pastor Rachel Stockle, who read a poem called “Angel” in honor of Annabelle.

“God sent an angel to the earth,
the sweetest angel, too
And for such a tiny little thing,
she had so much to do
She knew she did not have much time
upon this earth to stay
So she did not waste a second,
she got started right away
Her eyes were bright and sparkly,
she took in every turn
She did not miss a single thing
because Angel came to learn
God sent her here to touch the hearts
of those He could not reach
She called in courage, strength and faith
because Angel came to teach
Her tiny little body
was so full of God above
You felt it when you held her
because Annabelle came to love
In seven short weeks she managed
what many never will
When she went home to Jesus
her purpose was fulfilled
She learned and taught, loved and played,
she learned her lessons well
And know He was so proud of her
when she went home to dwell
But when I miss her oh so much
I can almost hear him say
Please understand her work was done
Annabelle did not come to stay”

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Pastor Stockle then spoke very movingly about Annabelle, who passed away in January of 2013. “Annabelle in her few short months with us, impacted the church and the community in some amazing ways,” she said. She went on to explain the story, “So it’s not that surprising that when one of our young men, Clayton Lindley, was looking for an eagle project one of the things he suggested was a memorial garden in Annabelle’s name. He worked with Ric up at Botanica and they did a beautiful layout of what it might look like. The church looked at it and the trustees approved it and then some things came up that he ended up not being able to use it as his eagle project.

But the church kept those plans and along the way we started referring to it not just as “Annabelle’s Garden” but “Annabelle and Friends” because there were so many families that came forward and wanted to put memorial money towards it.”

Taking a deep breath, Pastor Stockle continued, “There’s something in this place. There’s a peace and a comfort in this place. I hope you, on a regular basis, drive by and see someone sitting in one of these benches. In the midst of life, whether it’s grief or some other chaos, we all need a place of calm and quiet and comfort. It occurred to me as I walked in this morning that we have for many, many years needed a sanctuary on this corner and this building and now you have a sanctuary in this place.

Part of Annabelle’s mission for us: To remind us of that peace and comfort that comes from God. So it’s in her honor and memory, and the honor and memory of so many that came before us in that 175 years that we dedicate, consecrate this garden to the honor and glory of God. In the name of the father, son and the holy spirit, and in the memory of so many loved ones.”

Gerald Goodman then read a list of names that included those who are honored along with Annabelle in this garden: Richard Hayes, Larry Clements, Sarah Jackson, Kathy Peddicord, Maggie Swain, Shirley Hayes, Kathleen Garret, Melvin Singley and David McAfee.

Goodman also mentioned a lengthy list of those involved in making the garden a success. Some of the names on that list along with the Conaways were Annabelle’s great-grandparents, Larry Conaway, Sr. and his wife Shirley of Mount Pulaski. Paternal grandparents Dan and Betty Phillips of Mount Pulaski also contributed to the success of the garden. Other community members involved in growing this garden project included Don Maxheimer, Lyndell and Judy Emrick, Eleanor Clements, Cub Scout Troop 122 and Rick Bridwell of Botanica Florals.

The garden was also made possible through generous donations from the church family. There is a complete list at the end of this article of all those who contributed in any way. Goodman apologized if anyone was left off the list.

The crowd gathered also sang, “In the Garden” and concluded led in prayer by Dr. Reverend Terry Harter DS.

Finally, the community was invited to join the church families for a delicious potluck meal and cake in the church basement.

As published in the church pamphlet:

“The garden would not have been possible without numerous supporters. The organizers of this event were grateful to those individuals who sacrificially gave their time, talents and finances so that everyone can enjoy the beauty and serenity found in the garden.”

Darin and Amy Phillips and family
Larry and Shirley Conaway
Larry and Cindy Conaway
Danny and Betty Phillips
Kathleen Garret family
Cub Scout Troop 122 of Mount Pulaski
Melvin Singley family
David McAfee family
Lyndell and Judy Emrick
Jeff and Susan Clements
Lynn and Barb Freer and family
Dennis and Diane Blaum
Don and Janet Maxheimer
Larry Kraft
Scott Lindley
Clayton Lindley
Scott Lessen
Melody Williams
Dean Peddicord
Eleanor Clements
Rebecca Drake
Johnson True Value Hardware
Virginia McAfee
Rev. Rachel Stockle
Sarah Jackson family
Rev. Zoila and Rev. Pablo Marty

[Teena Lowery]

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