HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO. JOHN TORRENCE

On March 7,1945, my husband John William Torrence was born in Bristol Florida. Last Friday God blessed him to celebrate 63 years of life. Every year is special, but this one has been especially sweet. You see, John's daddy Rev. Samuel Coleman Torrence died when he was just a few months old, and he never knew him or where he was laid to rest. It has always been his dream to find his father's grave.

Several years ago, he purchased "The Family Tree" computer program and continued his search with vigor! He knew he died in Madison, Florida and he was told he was buried there so in pressed on.... With his dad's death certificate and a few contacts from friends some hope began to surface.

One thing I've learned in life is that many times you need others to help fulfill your dreams. In this case, two heads were better than one. Theresa got on the case!

Theresa is our third daughter and she lives in California with her husband and two daughters. She always has been interested in her father's family history and along with him began to search things out. Last year, her search lead her to the funeral home that funeralized Rev. Samuel Coleman Torrence so many years ago. Imagine that, with deligence and hard work the dream was coming alive...

The son of the gentleman that buried my father-in-law owns the funeral home now and all the "old" documents are there in Madison, Florida. The owner didn't want to be bothered with going in the old vault and finding the record of a man that his daddy buried in May, 1945!! Not interested indeed, but Theresa, like a tenacious bull dog would not give up. He charged her $40.00 an hour to go and look through his dad's old records to find her grandfather's burying place. It took him about two hours, but he found all the records including who had made the arrangements for the burial. Everything was there in the old shed, covered with dust and years of longing...The mystery solved, Rev. Samuel Coleman Torrence died May 27th, was funeralized June 1, 1945 and was laid to rest in Oak Ridge Cemetary in Madison, Florida. God had truly given my husband the "desire of his heart."

On Sunday March 16, 2008, (Lord willing), John will head to Madison Florida to see his father's final resting place. The tenacious Theresa will pay for the trip and all. Her birthday present to her father who never got to know his...Loria will drive him down there, her present to her father.

Everyone is excited in Madison, Florida. The Madison County newspaper called Theresa March 6(day before John's birthday), and wanted to write a story about this, and may air it on CBS news! They said " this story is certainly news worthy". I agree.
Monday March 17 John plans to meet with the Library historian, The Madison County News, The owner of Begg's Funeral Home, and maybe CBS news!!! I am so happy God has helped him find peace in this area of his life also.

It gives me a special sense of pride and hope, that God is concerned and ready, and willing to help us in every little and big dream we may have.

John's birthday was filled with more cards and calls and e-mails and 0n-line birthday cards, it was as if people knew this was a special time for him. I give God thanks for his kindness to my husband.