NJR DIGITAL MARCH 2023 MAGAZINE

THE STROLL/ By Charlie Sexton
This month’s article is taken from my
personal journal, dated November 7, 2016.
I had just returned from Naomi Sego’s
Home Going Celebration in Macon,
Georgia:
Well, Friends and Neighbors, just sit right
on back, and let me tell you a little story
about Gospel Music legend, Naomi Sego. I
attended her funeral this afternoon. But,
this story is about another funeral that
occurred about this time of the year,
several years ago.
One beautiful Fall Sunday morning, I was
preparing the morning music set list at the
little church where I was Minister of Music.
As I was scurrying around trying to get The
Mind of Christ for what to sing that
morning, an elderly chap came strolling in
to our little sanctuary, whistling. His name
was Harold. He had been the Minister of
Music at the church for about 25 years,
but had retired about 25 years before I
was hired. He was always very pleasant
around me. Never overly kind, but never
rude. I respected him for not trying to
impart his 'wisdom' or usurp any authority
over me, because of his past position. I
tried to always get him to sing a 'feature'
with the choir, but mostly, he'd just brush
me off. This particular morning, though, I
caught him in a singing mood, and asked
him to 'have one ready' for that morning.
During the service, I motioned for Harold
to come down out of the loft, and sing one
of the songs that I knew he loved to sing. "I
Want To Stroll Over Heaven With You" was
always a favorite of the folks at Clarkdale
Church. He sang it with great feeling, and
in an effort to engage the folks a little
more, I asked the congregation to stand,
and have a time of fellowship while Harold
sang the second verse. To try to stir the
moment a little more, I looked him in the
eye, and said these words: " Brother
Wallace, if I never see you here again,
friend, when we get to Heaven, I firmly
promise you that I will look you up and I'll
take a stroll over Heaven with you."
As he began to sing the reprise, I worked
my way through the audience, shaking
hands and hugging necks with those that I
loved.
All of a sudden, I heard a commotion. The
PA system squealed as the mic hit the
floor. Several folks start screaming. Harold
literally dropped - like a felled tree. Dead
before our eyes. Absent from the body.
Present with The Lord.
Pandemonium ensued for a few minutes.
A few First Responders in the church
quickly jumped in to Rescue Mode, but to
no avail. The Paramedics came, but it was
just too late. Harold was already taking a
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NJR DIGITAL MAGAZINE