Jim Drown came into my life only less than two years ago when he and Lena decided to move to Manassas.  We met on a Sunday evening at the Manassas Church of Christ.  I felt like I was meeting an angel from heaven―a feeling that is beyond explanation.  I knew at that moment I was visiting with a Man of God.  >From that moment on we communicated by telephone, email, and of course every time we were at church assemblies together.  I invited him into my home so that he could meet some of my other close friends.  When Lena joined him in Manassas, Phyllis (my wife) and I invited them again to visit with us in our home with other friends.  My strong attachment to Jim was because of his spiritual convictions.  He demonstrated a lifestyle that portrayed the characteristics of Christ.

Our friendship was so intertwined that when he was not going to see me on any Sunday or Wednesday, he called to let me know his schedule because he was sensitive to the fact that I would be concerned.  We talked a lot about the trip to Jacksonville.  He wanted Lena to have the best of care.  Little did he and I realize at that time that he was going to need the “best of care” that he wanted Lena to have.

Often in our conversations, Jim referred to the love of Jesus and how he was dependent upon him for life’s situations.  I really admired his confidence in the promises of God.  I cherished the times that we spent in prayer together; especially the times over the telephone while he was in Jacksonville.  Jim possessed a depth of spiritual insight that was inspiring to me.  I could see that in his heart the experience of being united with the risen Christ was a driving force for his life.  Only a few men have touched my life as Jim has.

Jim was full of compassion for others in our church family at Manassas that were plagued with life-threatening illnesses; especially, Jo Marshall who passed from this life to her home in heaven only the Sunday before Jim’s arrival there.

As I sit here in front of my computer thinking about what I should be writing, it occurs to me that God frequently brings men into my life when I most need them.  Jim has been to me like a spring of fresh cool water, a breath of clean fresh air, helping me keep a positive attitude about trying situations in the lives of other Christians in my life circle.  He reminded me that Jesus died for them as well and not to give up caring for their spiritual welfare when it seemed to me that they were excluding themselves from God’s fellowship in life.

I am going to miss Jim’s encouragement.  But, along with his wife, Lena, their daughters and grandchildren, we all have been richly blessed by God through the Man of God, Jimmy Drown.

JOSIE JUNE “JO” SHEETS MARSHALL, age 97 of Manassas, Virginia died Sunday, February 21, 2010 at her residence.

Mrs. Marshall was born October 31, 1912 in Helton, Virginia, the first of three boys and three girls born to the late Harve and Ida Sheets. She was a founding member of the Manassas Church of Christ where she attended for 53 years, attended Berea College, Berea Kentucky on an art scholarship and as a young woman she entertained Eleanor Roosevelt at Whitetop Mountain. She catered to several dignitaries including Patricia Hitt who was the first woman to hold a cabinet seat in the White House. Mrs. Marshall worked at the “Coffee Shop” in Warrenton, Virginia during World War II, worked for Woodward and Lothrop in the Pentagon Building for seven years, she managed the Manassas Drive-in Theater for 15 years and served as an assistant registrar for Prince William County for more than 25 years. Jo worked at the Prince William County Fair for 40 years as an artist demonstrating Scherenschnitte (Paper Cutting). She entered many of her paintings and crafts in the fair. She will be remembered as a person who would do anything for anyone.

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