Burn, baby burn

Habitat celebrates success by burning mortgages

April 2, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

Gladys Holmes watched as bright flames devoured the pieces of paper.
There were so many emotions to be felt in the frolicking dance of those flames, because it was her own dance she saw — the dance of one woman against time and all that a sometimes cruel and hateful world could ever throw at a lady in an attempt to bow her head low.
But if ever Holmes did bow her head in the dark, quiet hours before she rose each morning around 3 for a full day of work, it was in prayer.
She placed her problems before God — just as her Christian mother, Maime, instructed her.
— and He had answered her prayers.
Holmes is not a statistic; she is a homeowner.
So she shed no tears in those precious seconds while the papers burned.
She would not waste this moment — the one she had dreamed of each night since first applying for assistance with Greenood Habitat for Humanity — on such a trifle. This moment was bigger than that.
She held onto the burning papers — and held them.
She held tight until the flames she had so diligently purchased faithfully each month licked at her fingertips before she let go.
Holmes had earned that right.
“I’m just amazed at what God has brought me through and the faith he has put in me,” she told a crowd filled with friends, family members and those with Greenwood Habitat for Humanity with whom she’d come so far.
“In everything I do the Lord comes first.”
She remembers one summer having seven jobs.
Those were long days — and some short nights.
“I would get up around 3 a.m. or 3:15 a.m. and go all day,” Holmes said. “I would run all day long and be in the bed by seven o’clock.”
She drove a bus, worked as a caregiver for multiple patients and cleaned offices, homes and churches.
And when she wasn’t doing one of those jobs she was cooking or cleaning for someone else, because if there is one thing Gladys Holmes loves it’s the act of giving — so she participates as often as possible.
“I love to give,” she said.
Many of her friends — some who have known her all her life and others who have grown to love her more recently — took turns Sunday offering praise for the realization of this dream.
One of them was, Tom Simpson, the project coordinator in charge of completing the modest dwelling at 102 Spring Woods Trail.
He recalled working at the home several times and not seeing the future homeowner around the work site all that much. “I was upset about it,” Simpson said. “I drove by at around 2 a.m. one morning and saw a light on inside. (Holmes) was in the house with a broom and a flashlight. She had stopped by in between one of her jobs and was cleaning her home. I just fell in love with her from that moment on.”
Holmes’ cousin, Patricia Herbert, traveled from New Jersey for the event.
“I want to thank you for introducing my cousin to Habitat (for Humanity),” she said. “She has taught me a lot about God and persistence.”
Sally Baggett and husband Steve Baggett are charter board members of Greenwood Habitat for Humanity. Sunday’s celebration was especially memorable for the husband and wife who have grown close to Holmes.
“She’s just a wonderful lady,” Sally said. “This is the beauty of Habitat (for Humanity). It brings together people of all different faiths.”
Greenwood Habitat for Humanity executive director David Hord says many people don’t understand what the homeowners go through.
“A lot of people think we just give the homes away,” Hord said. “This is proof. We burned the mortgage that she paid for. Gladys has worked very hard for this. She truly gets it. She has used this as a blessing for others. It’s freed her up to do things for other people.”
Maybe that’s why Gladys said she won’t be easing her load or taking any extended break now that the mortgage is paid for.
She has too many things to do, and too many people to do them for.
“I love Habitat (for Humanity),” she said. “I love giving.”

Obituaries

Alvin A. Aiken

DUE WEST — Alvin A. Aiken, 65, of 405 Olin Smith Road, died Saturday, March 31, 2007, at Hospice Care of the Piedmont, Greenwood.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals.

Robert Earl Higgins

HODGES — Robert Earl Higgins, 57, of 4329 Hwy. 185, died March 31, 2007, at his home.
Born in Abbeville county, he was a son of the late Earl Wilmer Higgins and Ruby Timms Higgins. He was employed with Haven of Rest Ministries and was a member of Providence Baptist Church in Hodges, the Ware Shoals Masonic Lodge # 26 A.F.M. and the Hejaz Shrine Temple.
Surviving are one son, Benji Higgins and wife Tracy of Ware Shoals; one sister, Jane Ashley and husband Jimmy of Donalds.
Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Donalds Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Dr. Marcus Bishop officiating.
Pruitt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Etrulia L. Wilson

ABBEVILLE — Etrulia L. Wilson, 85, wife of William L. Wilson, died Sunday, April 1, 2007, at the Abbeville Nursing Home. She was born in Abbeville to the late Plumer O. and Ella Long Latham. Mrs. Wilson was a member of the Warrenton Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday school for many years. She was employed with Court Square Furniture for several years.
Surviving Mrs. Wilson are her husband of 67 years of the home; a son, William G. Wilson and his wife Linda of Anderson; two daughters, Judy Lawton and her husband Jack of Abbeville, and Patsy Jumper and her husband Henry of Swansea; two brothers, Gus and Clarence Latham both of Greenwood; four grandchildren, Jennifer Cox, Christy Hawthorne, Ken Wilson, and Jason Wilson; seven great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Monday, April 2, 2007, at Harris Funeral Home. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, 2007, in Bethiah Cemetery.
The family is at the residence.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Wilson may be sent to the New Spring Church, PO Box 1407, Anderson, SC 29622. Online condolences may be sent to the Wilson family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.
Harris Funeral Home of Abbeville is assisting the Wilson family.

Opinion

Should S. C. taxpayers pay more federal taxes?

April 2, 2007

Should taxpayers in South Carolina pay more federal taxes? There will be some taxpayers, no doubt, who’ll say yes. It’s highly likely, though, that most taxpayers will say no, with emphasis.
South Carolina U. S. Senator Jim DeMint says watch out. A report from his office says that as a result of tax policies supported by his Republican peers, including the President’s Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, the Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2004, and the Tax Increase Prevention and Reconciliation Act of 2005 every taxpayer who paid income taxes will get tax relief this year.
However, if these tax policies are eliminated, as DeMint says the Democrats’ budget would do, we’ll all see a tax hike.

THE NATIONWIDE IMPACT OF the Democrats’ Budget, according to DeMint, would show:
-A family of four earning $40,000 will face a tax increase of $2,052.
-113 million taxpayers will see their taxes go up by an average of $2,216.
-Over 5 million individuals and families who would have seen their income tax liabilities completely eliminated will now have to pay taxes.
-45 million families with children will face an average tax increase of $2,864.
-15 million elderly individuals will pay an average tax increase of $2,934.
-27 million small business owners will pay an average tax increase $4,712.
In South Carolina, the impact of repealing the Republican tax relief would be felt widely. DeMint says, for example: -More than 1,300,000 taxpayers statewide who are benefiting from a new lower 10 percent bracket would see their taxes go up.
-447,000 married couples in the state would face higher taxes because of an increase in the marriage penalty. -427,000 families with children would pay more taxes because the Child Tax Credit would expire. -212,000 investors, including seniors, would pay more because of an increase on the tax rates on capital gains and dividends

ACCORDING TO SENATOR DeMint, R-S. C., the source of these figures is the United States Department of Treasury Tax Relief Kit, March 9, 2007.
Some say we cannot afford the tax cuts now in effect and that government needs the revenue that eliminating the tax cuts would bring. Others say if we err, do it on the side of the taxpayer.
Yea or nay? Let the taxpayers decide.Tell the lawmakers in Washington. For that matter, tell them in Columbia, too.