PHOTO ALBUM

Inmate Hospice Volunteers -
in their own words

LOVE - I am 50 years old and am serving a life sentence for kidnapping in the first degree. I was born and raised in Oceola, Arkansas to Mary Williams and L.A. Sanders and was raised by my step-father Big Pete.

I have three brothers and two sisters and was brought up in a loving, tight-knit family. I attended church every sunday and was taught to respect all elders and people in general. I have three boys and three girls of my own and love them all the same.

I was married twice and divorced twice and am currently single and waiting on the right positive lady to enter his life. I am an honor lifer and work as a lumper (utility worker) in cell house 219. I am an active member of the NAACP and enjoy basketball, baseball, and playing cards.

I love this opportunity to do hospice work because it feels so good to help others without any strings attached.

JESSE - I am 63 years old. I have been in prison for 25 years. I was born in Michigan but was raised in South St. Louis.

I have an associates degree and spent 6 years in the U.S. Navy. I am involved in prison hospice for very selfish reasons. In prison there is very little to feel good about, so helping others in hospice gives me a chance to feel good about something I can do for other people.

I get much pleasure out of helping others. I am a dedicated christian and am very involved in our little church here in prison. I have been an Elder in the church for twenty years.

I have no argument with my prison sentence because I am guilty of the crime I was charged with. I try my best to live a positive life from behind the walls.

It is not always easy to do that. I hope that other prisons will begin a hospice program for it is very beneficial and very rewarding.

BUCK - I am 36 years old, married with no children. Raised up on a farm in a lukewarm environment, I fell farther away from God and the church after leaving home. Following the ways of the world and the devil; I was living in a prideful life of sin, satisfying the lusts of my eyes and flesh.

Frustrated and depressed I found myself in an empty and unsatisfying adulterous relationship. I desperately wanted answers and hope for something more in life. Against my conscience and better judgment, thinking I could provoke God to intervene and give me the answers I wanted, I made the choices which resulted in the death of a person.

Justly convicted of first degree murder in June of '92, I have since repented of my sins and turned back to my Lord Jesus Christ, placing my faith in him for my justification and salvation.

PHOTO ALBUM

Inmate Hospice Volunteers -
in their own words

Although I was before a cruel and wicked brute and the worst sinners, I thank God in Christ for his mercy and grace which has enabled and strengthened me to continue pressing toward his heavenly calling in Christ.

In hospice I have found the opportunity to share God's love and the true gospel of our salvation in Christ. I am also able to care about others and be responsible to them for their needs. I was privileged to spend time with one brother in Christ and to be by his side when he was taken to glory in paradise.

Working in hospice is a labor of love and the experiences gained are priceless treasures. I thank God and the nurses, doctors, and other staff for their work and dedication in providing inmates with our hospice and end of life care.

COUNTRY - I am 53 years old and am serving a life sentence for first degree murder. I was born and raised in Oxford, Mississippi, and am a widowed father of two boys.

I work as a lumper (utility worker) in cell house 318 and express my creativity in hobby craft as a woodworker.

I believe that being in prison doesn't limit one from being expressive, nor does it limit having genuine interactions with others. In fact, I feel I have a great deal to say and I would like to express myself with someone who understands the toils of life.

My greatest attribute is having the ability to listen. Never will I take anyone's opinions, thoughts, or ideas for granted. Everyone needs someone, and in that need we will be able to explore each other.

BOBBY - I was born in Des Moines, Iowa and attended East High School and Grandview College. I took drama and acting in High School. I got the lead part in a Christian movie in 1977 called Night Song.

I played college basketball. I am the father of 7 kids. I was a youth counselor. I am the child of Margaret and Gerald Smith. They were married for 55 years, until my fathers passed in 2005.

HAMBONE - I am 48 years old and am serving a life sentence for kidnapping in the first degree. I was born and raised in Augusta, Georgia by my parents Paul Hampton and Louise Noble, who are both deceased.

Most of my life I worked as a painter, painting tall silos and water towers. I came to prison at the age of 27 and have been involved in many activities, groups and classes.

I got involved with hospice and found it to be very interesting because it allows me to do for other people without expecting anything in return.

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