Most Inspiring Person – Member Nominees 2006

Pastor Roy L. Copeland: 'He Believed in Me'

I thank God for Pastor Roy L. Copeland on a daily basis. When I first met him, I was struggling with a crack addiction. He was the first person to ever tell me, "I wish you could see yourself as Christ does." He never condemned or criticized me. He simply pointed to Jesus. When others didn't believe in me, he did. When I competed in the International Whistlers Convention, he loaned me his car for the 9-hour trip, paid for my room, and gave me spending money. When I was a student at Faulkner Christian College, he paid for my books. When the grip of crack was so strong on me and affecting my children, he ministered to them in various ways. Most importantly he loved me until I was able to love myself. I remember thinking, "Jesus must have been like this." I am now a part of an intervention program, mentoring at-risk youth in my city, and founder of Joyfulnoiz Ministries. Just think, if others put the same tireless effort into helping people, how we could change the world.

LaVonne Martin
Tuskegee, Ala.

Laura Somoza: 'An Angel of a Friend'

When I am sick, she comes to my house with food. She cares for my kids like she cares for her own. She goes out of her way not just for me, but for family and strangers as well. Her two children both have disabilities. One is autistic (high functioning) and the other is bipolar. This doesn't bother her at all. I see what she goes through with them everyday, and to tell you the truth I don't think I would survive. But she looks at it as a gift from God, and God gave her children to her because He knew she could take care of them.

At church she volunteers with the youth and tries to keep them in church instead of the streets. Laura does not just care for humans but for any of God’s creatures. She is such a dedicated mother, sister, daughter, wife and friend that she deserves the best. I tell her this all the time, and she replies, "My treasures will be in heaven." God has blessed me with an angel of a friend.

Cristina Gilmore
Huntington Station, N.Y.

Derrick Brian Brun: 'A Big-Hearted Man'

My brother would have turned 30 on Sept. 28, 2006. He was the Security Guard killed at the Red Lake High School shooting on March 21, 2005. The entire reservation was victimized by that violence. He is missed very much, and the others are missed just as much by their families.

Derrick was a very kind, generous, big-hearted man. When he was killed, it felt like I had a huge piece of my heart ripped out from me. As the months passed, I realized that nothing was gone. He is still there, bigger than ever, and always will be. He was always helping us when he was here. I realize that he is still helping us, even more so now, than when he was here physically. He will always be here to help us whenever we need him, and he has proven that many times over. He made an impact on so many lives here, that his spirit will live on forever...he is not gone, he is just away. We will be together again.

Victoria L. Brun
Red Lake, Minn.

Jose Quiroz: 'My Role Model'

I don't think God could have given me a better father. I was fortunate to grow up watching him as my role model. It's been seventeen years since we emigrated to this beautiful country. Since then my father has worked hard to the point that he has never had a vacation, and I can only recall that he missed a day of work because he was really sick.

"Don Quiroz," as everyone calls him, is a mentor for about 150 kids ranging from ages 4-23 who practice throughout the year for my father’s non-profit Bolivian folkloric dance group called "Caporales San Simon VA, USA." This group has performed in parades and events such as the 4th of July Parade in Washington, D.C., the Hispanic Heritage Parade in New Jersey, and the Christmas Parade in Reston, Va., to name a few. These kids have found a second family in this group, which has motivated them to stay away from drugs and gangs. Don Quiroz is also the head of a Bolivian group in the Culmore Catholic Church, helping many Bolivians with their immigration documents and raising money for the poor in Bolivia.

Erika Quiroz
Centreville, Va.

Kim Parsons: 'She Is My Hero'

Kim Parsons is a breast cancer survivor of 16 years. She is only 50 years old today. This dreaded disease struck her in the prime of life and caused tremendous upheaval and pain. She shared her experience this year to an audience of thousands during an American Cancer Society fund raising event in Charlotte, N.C. She assured the audience that it was only by the grace of God that she survived and encouraged them all to put their faith in Him. There were cancer patients of all ages present, and for them Kim provides a sense of hope that only someone that has walked in their shoes could provide. Her attitude towards life not only inspires cancer patients, but anyone she comes in contact with. Her love and passion for building a relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ is first and foremost in her heart and it shows in all she does. Her infectious smile warms my heart. She is my hero.

K. E. Long
Charlotte, N.C.

Ginger LaGrange: 'Unconditional Love'

The most inspiring woman of this year and for the last 20 years is Ginger Gayle Livingston LaGrange. A woman that changed my life on all levels, spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical. She has helped hundreds of people with her total unconditional love and support. She guided all of the people who crossed her path into enlightenment, through a loving God that used her as an instrument of peace, love, and harmony. Ginger is dying from a terminal illness and remains working with others, day and night, teaching them how to recover from a myriad of addictions through a 12-step program. The unbelievable grace God has bestowed upon her to carry this message is astonishing. She steps out of herself, even in her last days on earth, to help another soul that is lost. Her favorite saying when told how much we will all miss her when she's gone is, "Don't worry, baby, I'll be dancing with the angels and I'll always be right there with you!"

Carol Jenni
Breaux Bridge, La.

John L. Melton III: 'Raising the Grandchildren'

He is a fireman. He is a Sunday school teacher, a son, a friend, my husband, but most of all he is being a daddy to my three grandchildren. In 2001, a time in his life when he was looking to the days that he would be alone with me as our children had grown, we had to take legal custody of my three grandchildren, now ages 5, 12, and 16. Since that time he has devoted his life to the children. We have used up all our savings, and he works hard all the time to provide for them. He gives his time and finances to assure these children have a great life. He is not their real granddaddy, but don’t tell him that: he doesn’t believe in the word "step." They are his, as far as he is concerned. He has inspired and encouraged me to continue to raise these children with a smile and a lot of love. His name: John L. Melton III.

Elimay Melton
Cheraw, S.C.

Elisabeth DeStefano: 'Doing for Others'

The most inspiring person in my life is Elisabeth DeStefano. We have been best friends for 22 years. Tina (as she is known to her friends and family) has helped in raising my children after a divorce. Making sure they were fed and homework done when I had to work. She was there when I found out I had breast cancer and took care of me and kept up things until I was on my feet. A total of six surgeries left me weak, unable to work, and my partner of 13 years soon left.

Again Tina was there with support to boost my spirits. When I was so depressed I lost 40 lbs. in 4 weeks, she guided me to get help and encouraged me to keep active. She has been there not only for me but for her mother. Her stepfather has Alzheimer’s, and Tina helps with doctor visits and support for her mom.

Not only does she help with family, she also runs the family business alongside her brother. Tina has been active in the Unity church and other support groups.

To me she is one of the most inspiring people I have, doing for others and never asking anything in return. And always showing her love for all.

Gayla Miller
Hannibal, Mo.

Kimberly McDonough: 'She's Like the Energizer Bunny'

My daughter, Kimberly, is from the school of hard knocks. I left and moved to Texas when she was 15 years old. [She became a] mother at 18 years of age, obtained her GED because she hated school. Used hard drugs before she was pregnant with her second child. Totally kicked the drugs on her own. Never wanted anyone to help her. Received her associate’s degree at 26 and now at 36 has gone back to college to obtain her masters in social work. Works 2 jobs besides going to school 4 hours once a week. One class ends and another begins. Two daughters 17 yrs and 12 yrs to parent. Operates on about 3-4 hours a sleep a night.

She doesn't give up...like the Energizer bunny, keeps on ticking. In the midst of all the above, she takes care of my finances and obligations. When I was ready to give up and throw in the towel, she was there.

Kimberly has a few rough edges. However, she is always there for anyone that asks for help. She never turns them down, never. No matter how busy she is, she will always help. She would give me her last dollar if I needed it. I can't imagine ever being without her. She has inspired me to live again.

Harriet McDonough
Kirkwood, Mo.

Kathy McCarty: 'Devoted Nurse in Africa'

Kathy McCarty is an incredibly dedicated missionary nurse who has devoted more than 25 years to serving the Shona people at Chidamoyo Christian Hospital in the bush of Zimbabwe, Africa. Though the hospital is 50 miles on a dirt road from the nearest town, people from all over Zimbabwe travel to get the quality care that Chidamoyo Christian Hospital offers under Kathy’s leadership.

She went to Chidamayo on a mission trip after high school, fell in love with the work and the people, and returned as a nurse. She has had to do many things a doctor would do in this country, including cope with the AIDS epidemic (half the population has AIDS). We have seen firsthand Kathy’s phenomenal work: she implemented home care for AIDS patients so they could be treated in their villages. She has saved many newborns from acquiring AIDS before birth. She has raised funds for a new maternity ward, AIDS education center, scholarships, abstinence education, ARV drug program, well-baby clinics, and much more. She chose to give up life in the U.S. to help those in need in Zimbabwe.

Patty LeDonne
Sue Beckstead
Sebastopol, Calif.

5 Faithful Ways to Handle Disappointment

Disappointment is an inevitable part of life. Read next feature >