Dear Editor:

May we, with respect, add to Dick Dickerson’s thoughtful words about Mr. Joe Harlan, who died recently?

Always, always the Southern gentleman, Joe Harlan was the best of the best.

Neighbor, friend, true Christian whose word was his bond.

Five years ago when my son, Charles Trimble, was restoring a dilapidated old house we had just purchased, Joe would walk through his back yard into ours always read with a friendly handshake and lots of encouragement with a strong invitation to the neighborhood.

On rainy, cold days our trash container would be put back in its place.

Summer and fall, fresh squash, tomatoes and the best of Joe Harlan’s home grown turnip greens would appear at our back door.

We loved visiting with Joe and his lovely wife Aarah. Sharing family pictures, Army talk and news of old and new Adairville was always uplifting.

Now we look through our back kitchen windows, as the Kentucky sun sets in late afternoons, we see a lonely yard with its small garden yearning for Joe’s magic touch.

We miss him!

Precious Aarah, church people, family and friends must miss him terribly.

We look forward to seeing Joe when we meet again in God’s Heaven. Until that day we just say, “You, Joe Harlan, have left this world a little bit nicer. Thank you neighbor.”

Frank and Virginia Ritter

Adairville