Jimmy O: MawMaw & PawPaw

They come as a package, MawMaw and PawPaw. It's hard to imagine one without the other.

Their wedding day

One of my favorites

MawMaw would have my head if she knew
I put this picture up, but I love it!

Jimmy O: An Eulogy

To see the suffering in the past couple of weeks have been a difficult period for us. Losing a loved one is difficult but we also lost a friend, an inspiration, a civil servant, a leader, a boss, and a visionary. No words can express what we are feeling right now and I’m sure only time can help us accept the fact.

Our father was one of those hard working fathers that always sought to provide for his family and for others. His words were the law in our house and at Red-Line. When I was young, I used to fear him but later I recognized he was already teaching me some of the most valuable lessons in life.

To stand up for what you believe in. To have principles. To have Faith.

But most importantly to Act on those Principles and Faith.

If someone said it could not be done, he would ask why not and conquer it anyhow. The mountain was never too high! If there was a mountain he could not climb, he was comfortable in asking God for the ability to climb higher. It’s only from the top, did you have the best view. As we grew older, we understood that he was teaching us along the way to be self-sufficient and handle your own affairs and give back to the community. He had a solution to every problem and had his ways of making things simple.

Many of you have discovered that he was a very compassionate and kind person. He would give his time, resources and monies increasingly to missions, churches, individuals, foundations, universities, benefits, sports teams and a host of other activities. He had a GREAT BIG HEART for the hurting. To his friends and community he was always ready to help. He never asked anybody for help and he never wanted to be acknowledged for anything he did. When he helped, he simply helped.

I remember when we were little he was very strict as a father but that’s only because he cared for us and that the most important thing that he cherished was us, his family. He would often say how really proud he was of what we have become. We are who we are now because we had a father like him.

He showed strength until the end and like Jesus some of his last words were, “take care of your mama.” We promise we will continue what our father has started. We know we’ll be filling huge shoes but with your help we can do it.

Let’s remember how our Jimmy O shared everything that he had with us. And let’s celebrate that he has finally gone home to our Creator.

written by David Oxendine, my father

Jimmy O: Obituary

James (Jim) LeVerne Oxendine, 72 of Rock Hill, SC departed this life on January 19, 2009 at Carolina's Medical Hospital of Charlotte after a brief illness. Jim was born on February 3, 1936 in Rowland, North Carolina to the Reverend James E. and Esther Oxendine of Rowland, NC.

He and Magdalene Jacobs were married on May 26, 1955 in Dillon, SC. He was a member of Catawba Baptist Church in Rock Hill, SC where he served a number of roles during his 37 year attendance. He was the founder and President of Red-Line, Inc. of Rock Hill, SC and so honored by a host of achievements and awards during his 23 years of ownership.

Survived by his wife of 53 years, Magdalene Oxendine, Rock Hill, SC; son & daughter-in-law Gregory & Sheila Oxendine, Rock Hill, SC; son James Michael Oxendine, Rock Hill, SC; daughter & son-in-law Denise & Rodney Moore, Rock Hill, SC; son & daughter-in-law David Wayne & Kimberly Oxendine, Rock Hill, SC; 14 grandchildren; 1 step granddaughter; 4 great-grandchildren; his sister Ruby Tireman and Bobby Oxendine, Rock Hill, SC; Vergie O. Goolsby, Fairmont, NC; Barbara A. Strickland, Linda Oxendine-Emanuel, Brenda Lynn Hunt, and Larry Morgan, Lumberton, NC; Brenda F. Strickland, Pembroke, NC; Johnny B. Oxendine, Tampa, FL; and Sonya Allen-Toman, Yuma, AZ.

He was predeceased by his son Donny LeVerne Oxendine of Stanfield, NC, his parents James E. and Esther Oxendine of Lumberton, his sisters Myrtle Allen and Lucille Oxendine of Lumberton, NC and his brothers Tony, Furmage and Harold Oxendine of Lumberton, NC.

In 1986, Jim Oxendine founded Red-Line, Incorporated – a chemical manufacturing operation. Jim Oxendine, who was President of Red-Line Incorporated a chemical manufacturing operation was the eldest son of 14 siblings raised on a farm near Lumberton, N.C. He worked the fields of the farm two hours before school each day and would leave class at noon. He dropped out of school in the 10th grade to mind the farm for his dad, a sharecropper and minister. He also completed construction work on the side.

He married and sought permanent work at age 19. He traveled to Philadelphia and began work with Neats Foot Oil Refinery. Soon he was promoted to pumping engineer and then operated semi-trucks for the company all over the East Coast. In the mid-1960’s, he returned to the South and was employed with Southern U.S. Chemical and was assigned plant manager within a year. In 1972, he orchestrated a move of Southern U.S. Chemical to Rock Hill, SC and remained as plant manager until 1978 when he joined Annandale Corporation as their Plant Manager in Charlotte, NC. Annandale was sold in 1986. At age 50 and with much determination and a plan, he decided start his own chemical business. The success of Red Line is credited to his long hours and determination to provide quality manufacturing and customer service as the premier focus.



Mr. Oxendine was an avid philanthropist with support to a host of organizations and causes to include his church, mission organizations, The National Kidney Transplant Assistance Fund, the National Kidney Foundation, The Muscular Dystrophy Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Cancer Institute, the Special Olympics, the Rock Hill Area Arts Council, The Red Cross and area sports youth programs. He was very involved at UNC Pembroke and was a loyal supporter of the First and Ten Football Campaign and a member of the Chancellor’s Club and Braves Club.


Visitation will be held Thursday January 21, 2009 from 6:30 - 8:30pm with a celebration of his life service will on Friday, January 22, 2009 from 3pm - 5pm. Both events will be at the Catawba Baptist Church of Rock Hill, SC. Green Funeral Home of Rock Hill is arranging with officiating by Dr. Tommy Huddleston and his pastor Ron Richardson. Internment will follow at the Catawba Baptist Church Cemetery, Rock Hill, SC.

Jimmy O: My Thoughts

After I found out that PawPaw had passed on from this life to the next I felt disoriented, sober, and busy. I remember putting my son in his crib and looking at him, telling him we were going on a trip soon. That PawPaw had died and was in heaven with Jesus. He just smiled.

But my heart choked and I could feel tears in my eyes. I felt a little lost, a little empty. I told him that PawPaw was in a better place, that he didn't hurt anymore.

And as I told Joey where PawPaw was, my eyes filled with tears, I knew PawPaw was in a much better place, even though his going hurts our hearts. I just imagine him standing in heaven--standing, no cane, no weak legs--looking across this vast expanse of light smiling. For "the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb" (Rev. 21:23).

And then, it got me. He's free. I am sad at his going, but he is free. It was as if suddenly I remembered that well-quoted verse, "and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away" (Rev. 21:4).

He is standing in the presence of Jesus! What better place is there to be? He is in the place where thousands upon thousands sing, continually, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing" (Rev. 5:12). He is there in the kingdom of the One who so graciously saved his soul.

Oh, Hope beyond us all! What hope would there be in death, what consolation, without the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior? Even more than this our hope, PawPaw's hope, is in the One who has overcome!

"O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" (1 Cor. 15:55)

The grave has been conquered and victory is won. The power of sin and death are no more.

"Jesus has overcome, and the grave is overwhelmed.
Victory is won, He is risen from the dead!"
- I Will Rise, by Chris Tomlin

Standing free, our father, our grandfather, our dear friend is standing in the place where there is no need for light--for God is the Light--and sings, "Worthy is the Lamb!"

What a glorious place to be!

Jimmy O: My Processing

As some of you know, my grandfather (my dad’s father, who we call PawPaw) had been hospitalized for a few weeks and Saturday I got a call from my mom saying that the doctor’s said the family needed to make a decision of when to take him off life support. So, Joe and I decided that I should go back (with Joey) to be with my family for a few weeks.

PawPaw passed away on Monday afternoon. To put it simply, his immune system was weak, his kidney couldn't function, and his lungs were filled with fluid. Machines had been keeping him alive since Thursday. He was transferred to another hospital on Thursday and remained in ICU until his death. In his living will he stated that he didn't want to be kept alive by machines. So, after a biopsy came back showing no change, MawMaw called the family to come and say good-bye.

They all came, children and grandchildren, they stood around him as he was taken off the machines, while the nurse increased his morphine drip anytime it seemed he was struggling. He was gone within 15 minutes. He was gone.

I wanted to be there. I wanted to see him just one last time. That was my PawPaw. He wasn't just grandfather. He was the pillar of our family. Strong. Determined. Stubborn. He was my Indian Granddaddy that I was (am!) so proud of. How many people don't graduate high school, yet go on to start their own business? And, a chemical business at that!

He faced opposition, because of the color of his skin and overcame. He raised a family. Five children. Fourteen grandchildren. Four great-grandchildren. He had a heart as large as the ocean and gave generously. He loved people, telling stories, and teasing you. You can't think of PawPaw without also thinking of his Indian drums, love for western movies, and that tractor...

I can't help but be proud of him. To think much of him, even with all his idiosyncrasies. To me, he was an overcomer. An example to keep pressing on. Nothing's impossible with hard work and prayer. Excuses aren't necessary, just give it a try, even in the face of opposition. He was a man i could look up to.

He was my PawPaw, and for that, I loved him.

Still, I can't believe he's gone. It's unreal to me. Sitting in MawMaw's house this afternoon, even looking at his pictures on the coffee table, I fully expected him to come walking through the door or to see him riding across the lawn on the tractor.

It'd be so natural.