One sings alto…..

     One sings tenor…..

          Together: Great harmony, both in their marriage and in our choir…..

Spotlight

On

Sheila and Randy Piccone

     Sheila was born in Alabama to Mary and Lige Jackson. First born of 11 children, she grew up in a very loving home. The family lived in a small country community between Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. Mr. Jackson was a hardworking lumberjack and Mrs. Jackson, was a hardworking stay-at-home mum while the children were still young, going on to become a hardworking working mum when they were older. Times were not easy, but the children were loved and well cared for.

     When asked about her school years, Sheila smiled and said she loved going to school - if she was at school there weren't chores to do! Joking aside, she really enjoyed school. English was a favourite subject, and she developed a great love of reading. She still reads a great deal, particularly historical novels and westerns.

     Shortly after graduating from Oak Grove High School in 1972, Sheila married, giving birth to a son in 1974. Sadly, the marriage fell apart, and later that year she and her baby moved to South Carolina.

     Randy was born in Crooksville, Ohio to Francis and Fred Piccone. The first born of four children, Randy also grew up in a loving, caring home. Mr. Piccone worked for the energy company, a hardworking man who wanted his son to go to college. Although he was obviously bright, Randy hated school, he certainly didn't want any part of going to college. When he graduated, he politely told his father that if he was made to go to college he fully intended to waste his time, which would lead to a waste of money. Randy joined the Navy.

     While he was in the Navy, Randy married. Sadly, the marriage failed and he was left to raise his two children by himself. Trying to juggle life as a single dad with a career as a Navy submariner was almost impossible, so Randy decided to advertize for a live-in Nanny.

     Sheila, with her one year old son to support, was looking for work and a suitable place to live. By happy chance, she saw Randy's ad. in the paper and applied for the job. With her innate love of children, Sheila was a great choice for the position of nanny. She and her son moved in, and Randy was able to go to sea secure in the knowledge that his children were in good care.

     As time went by, Sheila and Randy fell in love. In December 1975 they married, and the two families became one. The following year Sheila gave birth to their daughter, making them a "yours, mine and ours" family. Time went by and they thought their family was complete, however seven years after the birth of their daughter, they were surprised by the birth of their son. While the children were young, Sheila chose to be a stay-at-home mum, but when the youngest was about 8, she went to work for Noah's Ark Development Centre, working with children in the 1-2 year age group.

     During this time, Randy retired from the Navy after 20 years service, and purchased a machine shop in Charleston. Eventually deciding to close that shop, he built his current business ( S & R Auto Machines ) at Carnes Crossroads.

     Even though they were raising five children, Sheila and Randy opened their home to a series of foster children. At first they gave homes to the children who needed long-term care, but it was such a heartache to give them up when the time came that they eventually decided to take care of the short-term children. They have many stories to tell, some heartwarming success stories, but one or two not so successful. Suffice it to say that Sheila and Randy are very loving, caring people, who worked hard to provide a happy home environment for young people in need.

     When asked about hobbies, Sheila talks about gardening, she is currently creating a patio garden in the area which used to be the swimming pool. She likes to quilt, and has made a personalized quilt for each new addition to the family. She likes to fish, although she doesn't get many opportunities at present. She also finds a game of Bingo relaxing.
     Randy's main hobby is his cars. At one time he used to race a 4 cylinder Ford, winning 46 of 68 starts. Nowadays he still has a couple of hobby cars: A 1966 Shelby Cobra (journalist's note: WOW!!) and 1964 Ford Galaxie.

     Together they like to ride their motorbike when the weather permits, and they love to travel in their R.V….enjoying many holidays around the U.S. Having said that, they both agree that an oversea trip to Grand Cayman was a truly memorable experience.

     Sheila's religious background was Baptist, Randy's was Methodist. When she first moved here, Sheila visited a couple of Baptist churches, but didn't find the right 'fit' and eventually stopped going. Randy didn't go to church for some time, then, feeling that they had much for which to be thankful, went back to the Methodist church. A friend invited them to go to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, and they attended that church for about seven years. Not permitted to be members of the Catholic church because they had both been divorced, they began looking for a church which would accept them. They found St. Thomas and, although they haven't been here long, feel that they are at home at last.

     As mentioned at the very beginning of this article, both now belong to the choir. Their caring kindness was once more evident when they heard two choir members wondering where an extra rail (to hang robes) could be purchased. Quietly, without fuss, but to everyone's eternal gratitude, Randy built a sturdy rail….which was immediately put to use.

     Now that their children are grown and have left home, Sheila and Randy are enjoying each other's company. They are still very close to their children and other family members, in fact Sheila's mum, now widowed, has a home very close to their home. Sheila is proud of her parents, appreciating all they did for the family, the closeness, and the values they instilled. Randy talks lovingly of his family, too. A natural raconteur, he tells some of his grandfather's fascinating history.

     When asked what they are most proud of, both answer that it's their relationship. They had much in common, having survived difficult first marriages. It made them value each other's strengths and qualities, bringing them closer together.

     There is never enough space to tell an entire story, but I hope this gives you a glimpse into the life of this quiet, gentle couple who are very welcome additions to our parish family.