By Bob Braddy
A ceremony that  was unique in the more than 100 years of Dillon’s Main Street United Methodist Church history took place last Sunday afternoon, May 5. 
It was a Memorial Service for the church’s cat, Winford, who had lived on the church’s premises for more than ten years and who died on Christmas Eve, 2012. 
In attendance were caregivers and admirers who over the years had come to love him.  Stories were told, recollections shared,  many sad and others amusing.  Betty Wallace, one of Winford’s caregivers, presided.
Winford was cremated and his ashes are buried by the church steps where he made his home.  A granite headstone with the words “Winford “The Church Cat” Gift From God Returned To God, December 24, 2012,”  was set in place at the spot.

ODE TO WINFORD
Winford just showed up one day
He needed a safe place to stay.
He was skinny and scarred
His life had been hard-
And we just couldn’t turn  him away.

He claimed a comfortable perch
By the steps at the side of the church-
With a house for his bed
He was comfortably fed
And that was the end of his search.

He greeted  us coming and going.
It seemed it was his way of showing
His thanks for our care
He enjoyed being there,
And his love and affection were growing.

It was sad when our cat passed away.
We knew it would happen some day-
But, Oh, it did please us
That he was with Jesus,
and that Winford was no longer a stray!
—By Bob Braddy,  5/4/13

This poem is dedicated to Winford’s caregivers, whose unselfish love and giving over the years were always in the true Christian Spirit.  Thank you!