PARADE MAGAZINE INSIDE SPORTS, 1B INSIDE NEWS, 5A WEATHER INSIDE Mainly sunny TODAY'S skies with a slight DAILY Atlanta cruises Belk to help local breeze. JOURNAL HIGH: 89 100% recycled LOW: 58 past Cincinnati organizations newsprint DailyRichmond County Journal SUNDAY •April 26, 2009Rockingham, N.C. $1.00 Family praises ‘Angels’ Philip D. Brown able,” he said. “But they gave her loved ones,” she said. “We also Richmond County Daily Journal excellent care, and she didn’t want support those primary caregivers for anything. It’s a wonderful place to make sure they meet their own When Laura Maie Thomas fell in for people who are sick.” doctor’s appointments, and take 2007, the caregivers of Richmond Richmond County Hospice care of their own needs, as well County Hospice came into her hus- Development and Volunteer as, taking care of their loved ones’ band John A. Thomas Jr.’s life, and Coordinator Lisa Ledford explained needs, because that is so impor- made quite an impression on him. the hospice has dual goals while tant. They can not wear themselves “I gave the hospice workers and assisting terminally ill patients and down, then they won’t be able to the rescue squad and everyone who their families. help their loved ones.” helped my wife and I the name “Our main goal is establishing “I would recommend the hospice ‘God’s Angels of Mercy on Earth,’” pain management and symptom to anyone who has a loved one who Thomas said. “That’s what they control within 48 hours of someone is in great need,” said Deborah were to us.” coming into our facility, and typi- Thomas, the daughter of John and For months, hospice workers cally we are able to do that in much Laura. “When mama got sick, we helped her stay at home by visit- less than 48 hours,” she said. “Once all had work and our own lives, and ing with her and John, but towards these are established, a person is Daddy was out here all by himself the end it became apparent to all PHILIP D. BROWN/DAILY JOURNAL able to have a much better quality of with her. There is no way they involved she would have to live at life for however long they live.” could have made it as long as they The Thomas family recall their memories of Laura Maie the Haven. Thomas who passed away while under the care of Richmond The alternate goal deals with the did without this help.” She was there three weeks before families of those who are ill. She recalled the staff members County Hospice. Pictured, from left, are her grandson Chris passing away in March 2008. Galliher, her daughter Betsy Galliher holding Thomas’s grand- “And also, once they have these “She didn’t want to go, and nei- things under control, they are able daughter Ashley Galliher, her husband John A. Thomas Jr. and ther would I, she wanted to stay to have better interactions with ANGELS her daughter Deborah Thomas. at home and that was understand- CONTINUED ON PAGE 3A Tribute Author planned for fallen sheds officers light Tom MacCallum Richmond County Daily Journal A public Peace Officers Memorial Day Observance will be held 11 a.m. May 6 on icon at Richmond County Tom MacCallum Courthouse Richmond County Daily Journal in Aunt Jemima was a real person play- Rockingham. ing a character role. Sheriff “And she really was famous for Dale Furr cooking pancakes,” said John Troy said law McQueen, author of a newly illustrat- enforcement ed book on the woman who had roots agencies in Furr in Richmond County. Richmond Before dying at County and surviving fam- PETER WILLIAMS/DAILY JOURNAL Brenda Grubbs of Plant age 57, she had accu- ily members will remember mulated wealth and peace officers who have died City, Fla., (top photo) leaps off the line in her fame, he said. in the line of duty in a solemn When he learned ceremony. 1969 Chevy Camaro about her local roots, “The Peace Officers Saturday during quali- McQueen set out to Memorial Day observance fying at Rockingham uncover them as local pays special tribute to those Dragway. Meanwhile history contributing officers who mad