A Brother in the Lord

This past weekend the City of Aiken, Alleluia and his family mourned the loss of a great brother, Stanley Quarles. Stanley went home to his Lord on Thursday, February 28, just a little more than 2 weeks from his 50th birthday. There is a great void left by his passing since Stanley touched the lives of so many people. Stanley was a special brother and father. The stories of his humor, his love and his caring are legion. He was truly a giant of a man, both literally and figuratively. We will miss him so very much.

I would like to recount some of the ways in which his family, his brothers and sisters in Alleluia and his co-workers at the City of Aiken honored him. The Quarles family is just a representation of who Stanley is. Many of his relatives traveled great distances to be present with his family to support Amber and the children and to express their love for Stanley. The front rows of the church were overflowing with the extended family of this wonderful brother. One of his cousins who shared at his wake said he had just met Stanley at the funeral of Stanley’s father last year but was just overwhelmed by the love they poured out upon him. Others shared of Stanley’s great love for his Lord and his great sense of humor. Amber also shared that Stanley whom she loved so dearly had one last laugh at her expense. He had asked for a portable iron for Christmas. It never came and they waited and waited for it to come in. On the day after Stanley died, it showed up at the house. Amber thought it was Stanley saying to her, “Press on, my dear, Press on!”

One of the things that Stanley and his family did that many people may not have known about dealt with Stanley's love for children. Over the last several years, they have opened up their home to foster children. They have had numerous kids come into their home and each one Stanley treated as if they were his own. He poured out much love and affection to these children who at times were starving for a father's love. Just prior to his death the Amber and Stanley were planning on adopting a little girl who is living with them. They have seen these children, even after being gone from the Quarles' home, come racing up to him and put their arms around that great big man and just hug him. They all loved him so much.

The church on Sunday evening was crowded to overflowing with people coming to pay their final respects to this great brother in the Lord. It was Stanley’s wish that we have a celebration in his honor—and celebrate we did. The Alleluia music ministry was there in full force. Bob Garrett mentioned that St. Mary’s Help of Christians Catholic Church may not have seen that many instruments on the altar in all of its days. We sang, clapped and cried for about an hour in honor of Stanley. We devoted another hour giving testimony to Stanley’s love and compassion for all the people he came into contact with during the course of his all too short life. It was a wake service Aiken won’t soon forget.

The City also mourned Stanley. The front-page headline in Thursday’s newspaper announced his death. The following day there was another article and finally on Sunday, the entire Editorial was devoted to his passing. In all my years of living in Aiken (almost 30 now), I haven’t seen such praise and honor given to one man from the local community. It was just awesome to see.

I believe all of the praise and honor was given to Stanley because he lived each day guided by the Holy Spirit. As we sang one of the songs at his funeral, I couldn’t help but think of how Stanley lived that out, “Here I am Lord, is it I Lord, I have heard you calling in the night. I will go Lord, if you need me, I will hold your people in my heart.” The evidence of this was seen at his funeral Mass. The Mayor, City Council, and scores of City of Aiken employees lined the aisles for the procession of his casket. In addition, on the way to the cemetery police and fire personnel standing at attention—some openly weeping, blocked each major street in Aiken. The high point was seeing the 2 large fire trucks blocking Highway US #1 with all of the men and women holding back the traffic.

Stanley Quarles was indeed a special brother. His family will miss him very much. He was devoted to Amber and the children. He laid down his life each and every day to serve them. What a model for each of us to follow! There is a great ache in our hearts at his going home. But we know he is home with his Lord whom he loved so much. Stanley and his friend, Carl Schaumann, are probably dancing down those streets of gold. Can you just imagine it!! Awesome.