We truly have no words, but I feel that we must try to express our heartfelt appreciation to each and every one who reached out whether in person, by text, calls, food, flowers, prayers, monetary donation during the loss of our precious son, Ethan.
We have honestly been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and generosity from this community and surrounding communities. We would like to thank Jaybird Ellis who was the first on scene for calling us so that we could be there with Ethan in his last moments. To the fire department personnel, Cherokee County EMS and everyone who responded to care for him we cannot thank you enough.
Erlanger Western Carolina Emergency room and hospital staff, Dr. Fokakis and especially Rhonda Stillwell for allowing us to have our extended time with him and pay our respects.
I cannot even begin to thank John Ivie for all his exceptional care of our son along with his staff. We could not have expected any better care, respect and all your efforts in making his funeral so special, and just the way Ethan and we wanted it. It truly reflected his life and his legacy which made it special for us.
Terry Jones, we don’t even know where to begin. We knew right away that we wanted you to perform Ethan’s service and there was never any doubt in our minds. He would have wanted it that way for he loved, respected and idolized you. You knew him best and we were honored that you would even agree. You were there to guide him to salvation and baptized him, which means the world to us and him.
Sonny and Margaret Reighard, Norma Jean Douthit and Renee Pellom for the beautiful musical tributes.
Special thanks to Pastor Bo Phillips and Briartown Baptist Church and Mickey Stewart and Red Marble Baptist Church for the special meal provided after the service as well as all the love and prayers.
To the Class of 2021 and all Ethan’s classmates for the beautiful casket spray and flowers, he would have been so honored.
To all the pallbearers and honorary pallbearers for representing themselves in Ethan’s likeness.
I have to mention my special cousin, Annette, who jumped right in and helped to call people for me when I couldn’t even talk and helped arrange things and helped to keep me sane.
To my EWCH General Surgery office family – Dr. Michael and Michelle Nerney, Grace Metzger, Debbie and Tony McDaniel, Paula Parker, Bonnie Oxton, and Angie Holland and their families.
EWCH group practices, Mary Jo Morris, my OR and SDCU family and hospital for all their love, support and donations.
To both Andrews Florist and Rambling Rose for all the hard work and respect in all the beautiful floral tributes, wind chimes and keepsakes.
Ethan, I know was shining down on each and every one of you with so much love, respect and honor. His life was certainly cut too short but I suppose God has other plans for him and I can only imagine what that is.
Our lives are forever changed and will never be the same, as part of our hearts has been torn out and it will take time to heal.
Please I ask of all of you to help us keep his loving, caring, adventurous and carefree spirit alive in precious memories, photos, etc. Remember all the good times.
Please going forward keep our family in your prayers. We sincerely love and appreciate each and every one of you. May God bless and keep each and every one of you; with our deepest sincerity.
Kammy, Bobby, Evan, Bob and Helen Neal
Andrews