Lisa Witherspoon
Director of Children’s Ministry
Several years ago, when my daughters, who are now ages 15-20, were still just toddlers, I joined a bible study group at FPC for moms with young children. It was led by Dolly who was a mom of young children herself at the time.
Over the years, some people left and new people joined. We did indeed study and grow in faith, and we also grew in friendship. We commiserated about parenting and marriage, shared stories about extended family, supported each other through loss and illness. We often said, “If nobody cries, it wasn’t really a good session,” and, of course, “What happens in GRACE stays in GRACE.”
Rev. Dolly Jacobs
Through it all, Dolly was not only our leader and our pastor, but also our confidante and friend. When she passed suddenly last summer, we did what she taught us to do. We leaned on each other through our grief and carried on despite the deep void her absence created.
Since our group met on Fridays which were “technically” Dolly’s day off, she often came dressed casually and wearing one of her favorite t-shirts: one said “Y’all means all” and another said “And also with y’all.” So, when we began considering a way to honor her memory permanently the FPC Welcome Center seemed like the perfect fit.
On August 21, at 10 am, we will officially dedicate The Dolly Jacobs Memorial Welcome Center. A beautiful portrait of Dolly and her radiant smile will sit next to a plaque that states “All are welcome here.”
I hope you will join us that day for a brief blessing, some refreshments, some fellowship, and, surely, some laughs as we honor our pastor, our friend.
A fund has been set up for Dolly’s children. If you’d like to contribute, see details here.
