“Setting the New Standard for Funeral Service.”

NEWSLETTER

June 2, 2006

For those of you reading this newsletter, thank you for showing our firm and family love and trust. This is the first of these newsletters, so if the setup seems a little weird, I am experimenting. If you are reading this from our website, thanks for visiting. Our goal is to have a web presence that not only puts our name out there, but give web hitters something they can learn from. I know I have learned from this whole web site thing.

If you are reading a printed copy of this newsletter, the next time you sit down at a computer, visit www.locustgrovefuneralhome.com. At the website, you will find all kinds of information regarding current funeral services scheduled, on-line memorial registers, biographical information, and so on. For all of you who have been to our site, I would love to hear some feedback, good or bad. I want questions to answer and ideas that will help our staff serve our families better. E-mail me.

Speaking of our staff, our little Kandis graduated Locust Grove High School in May. Congratulations Kandis!!! Now the hard work begins, we just hope you stay to help us every now and then. For those who do not know Kandis, check her bio out on our website. She is such a good girl and we enjoy having her around our business. Whatever God has in store for her future, it has got to be good! Kandis is always around to help out when we need the help.

By the way, did you know Locust Grove has its’ own little newspaper. Yes we do. Some of Locust Grove’s hardest working people put it together monthly and is available at most of the stores in Locust Grove. Oh yeah, it is called The Locust Grove Community News. Jeri Fleming, Shannon Cook, and many more pour their hearts and souls into this paper. My hat is off to each of them. I am looking for the day when they go big time and mail out to subscribers. If you are interested, let me know and I will pass the information onto Jeri.

Several weeks ago, my ol’ friend from high school and college, Whitney Scott, took some staff and family photos for us. Some of you from around Locust Grove may remember Whitney with the last name of Rogers or even Wheeler. She graduated here in 1992, a mere year after me. We attended the University of Central Oklahoma together and it was great to have a friend to call on. It seems I called on her more than she called on me. Oh, if I forget, sorry Whitney for getting you in trouble with the dean that one time (her aunt was the dean). Anyway, Whitney sent me this picture of me, Melissa, Will, and Caleb. I think it is us at our best. Thanks Whitney!!! Visit Whitney’s website at www.scottphotography.org.

Now to wrap up some business in this newsletter. For those of you who know me, you know that I tell the truth, even when it hurts. Recently, you may have read about Locust Grove Funeral Home being involved in a negligence lawsuit. That is correct. It is being handled by the former owners of this firm. This is something that happened before me and Melissa bought Locust Grove Funeral Home. We now operate as Locust Grove Funeral Home, LLC, separate of Rick and Gloria Stephens dba Locust Grove Funeral Home. Anything above this concerning this lawsuit is above my head. That is all I know about it. I do know that in dealing with Joe Caldwell and Rick and Gloria Stephens, they will do what is right and I am glad to be able to call on them when I need a helping hand.

The Lord has blessed our family greatly since moving back to Locust Grove. Will is going into second grade and Caleb is going to be a kindergartner. It seems like only yesterday when I was crawling on bus #9, saying hello to the driver (Glen Yarbrough), and heading off to school. It feels good to see my boys going down the same hallways (even though they seem smaller now).

Thanks for reading and taking the time to care. It is my hope to use this newsletter as a way to share in learning together. I need feedback, questions, etc. Take care…… Until next time…..

May Gob Bless and Keep Each of You,

Shawn Bates

PS: If you want this newsletter emailed to you, let me know where to send it by clicking here. I will keep archives of this newsletter on the website.