"His place in the church is empty"

Quoting from the Benton Courier’s original article:

“Ken Mitchell, chief of the Tull Volunteer Fire Department and pastor at Saline Missionary Baptist Church in Tull, made the ultimate sacrifice Thursday morning.

Mitchell, 59, died while responding to a house fire at 8722 W. Cherry St. in Tull. He was pronounced dead at Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton.”

“…Simpson, also a member of the church, noted that Mitchell performed more than 160 weddings and funerals in the community.”

Including my own, seven years ago. I only have the photo of him signing our marriage license, a photo which, as part of our wedding collage, hangs in our hallway to this day:

“‘His place in the church is empty. His place in the pulpits of this country is empty. His place in the Tull Volunteer Fire Department and in the community is empty, but in our hearts, he lives,’ she said.”

More soon. Right now, there’s just … nothing.

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