In Memory of Spencer Clyde Whitworth
April 27, 1979 – July 16, 2009
Humbled.
Last week, my friend Frankie emailed me: “Brianne Whitworth asked if I would photograph her husband’s memorial service on Sunday and I’m out of town. Are you available?”. I immediately said “sure – who’s Brianne Whitworth?”. She went on to remind me that I had met Brianne a couple of years ago at meetup for a group of local photographers that met on an online photography forum. I remembered her at that point. Her screen name on the forum was “BreezyB” and I thought that was perfect for her as she was a breath of fresh air – fun, charming, beautiful. I really enjoyed meeting her that day and as I look back I am sad that I missed out on getting to know her better over the last couple of years. But despite the fact that I did not really know her, and had never met her husband, I was very much compelled to do this for her and her family. I would want the same thing if the tables were turned.
I told one of her friends that I was saddened by the fact that the first time I “met” Spencer was at his memorial service. The beautiful words that his friends shared about him and the huge outpouring of love that filled that church yesterday told me that I missed out on knowing a wonderful person by not meeting him in his earthly lifetime.
I guess “lucky” is probably a strange word to describe Brianne – a grieving widow sitting on the front row of that church. How can someone who just lost her soul mate to cancer be “lucky”? But she IS lucky. I’ve read some of Spencer’s caring pages and those, and the words that their friends spoke of him yesterday tells me that she is lucky. Brianne, some women never know the kind of love that you and Spencer had. You will hold on to that love for the rest of your life and one day you and Spencer will be reunited again in heaven. But you already know that – and you probably already know how lucky you are.
Because I’m a photographer and not a writer I’ll stop now. Spencer has a caring page if you would like to read more about him and his and Brianne’s life together. www.carepages.com/carepages/spencerwhitworth
There is no need to pray for Spencer anymore – he is with Jesus and is eternally healed. But I know that Brianne and her two beutiful kids, and Spencer’s parents and sisters, and all of their family and friends would appreciate prayers. Even if you are someone like me, a mere stranger, prayer can make all of the difference.
17 Comments
Wow. You did a great job capturing the different moments of such a sensitive event. I read a little about the Whitworths and believe you’re right about us missing out on meeting Spencer. My heart and prayers go out to his family.
What a beautiful capture of the moment. I know that his children especially will appreciate having this memory held for them in such a loving way. You did a wonderful job showing us Spencer by showing us his family and friends celebrating his life. They are very lucky to have found you to help them through this time in their lives. The Whitworth family and friends are in my thoughts. Sue Ann, your generosity of spirit never fails to amaze me. ((hugs))
How wonderful for them to have these images celebrating the life of a dear husband and daddy, you have done an amazing job.
These are beautiful Sue Ann…what a treasure to have these photos. Thank you for doing this for my friend.
These are simply lovely. What a beautiful sentiment ♥
What a great way to memorialize a fellow photographer. You did an amazing job and I’m sure the family and friends will love looking back at these images and fondly remember their friend.
Incredible, Sue Ann. What a generous heart you have and this is a tremendous gift for them! I got teary-eyed just reading your post.
Amazing… and so beautiful. I love that you have such wonderful images of them laughing, too. These will surely be treasured.
This is such a wonderful gift that you were able to do for the family! It is truly a blessing to be able to give back and you’ll be blessed ten-fold by this one small gift that you’ve given them!
Wow. The emotion captured is beautiful! What a blessing you have been to this family.
What a sweet thing to do and I’m sure the family will love these and cherish them.
Sue Ann – Seeing that image of his huge smile and loving face made me sad – but then the smiles and spirit of the images at the bottom revived the feeling that this guy left alot of love and memories behind that will never be forgotten. You did an amazing job for this family!
this has to be a hard time for his family. they are in my thoughts and my prayers. these photos truly capture this moment, and i know his family will cherish this forever.
I’m sure these will be treasured forever!!! You did a great job of capturing the range of emotions from the day!!
These are amazing and made me cry! What a gift to the family…they are in my prayers!
You did a wonderful job capturing his memorial service. His young children will look back on these photos and treasure them. It put a smile in my heart to see some of the smiles as they remember him.
you did a wonderful job! these are so emotional.