By: LaVerne Owens

He Certainly Left his Mark

Oh, the memories – of his many childhood pranks!
All of them inevitably leading to spanks.

He was trouble and mischief, and all the while,
Mark would be flashing that enchanting smile!

Mark had a smile that could totally disarm you,
But that very same smile could also alarm you.

There are those who thought teen-aged Mark was so defiant.
Oh, how the man became a personality giant!

What do you remember? What joy did he impart?
Whatever it was for you, he certainly left his mark!

Mark was a boy with energy and imagination!
His love for life was fueled with fascination!

He loved to do backflips and boy could he dance!
He loved to make jokes whenever he got the chance!

Mark was creative and had such a beautiful mind
His poetry was flowing and lovely, line by line

Can you remember his jokes? Did he write a poem that touched your heart?
Whatever he did for you, he certainly left his mark!

Mark, the man, was strong, loving and kind!
With a gentleness of character; a friend for all times!

A family man – Mark was a husband and a great girl dad!
A son, brother, cousin, uncle and superhero granddad!

Yes, we certainly miss him! Yes, this breaks our heart!
But the love we feel proves he certainly left his mark!

Our Brother and Friend: Stoic

By: Marla M Robertson

His laughter contagious, rich, from the center,
A sound that could fill a room,
Turning pain into joy,
Laughter into tears,
And tears until laughter bloomed.

His emotions lived in poetry,
Painted in words with tender grace.
A lover of music, of family’s embrace,
And oh, how he danced—
Each step a story, each rhythm a flame.

Strength of character, steadfast and true,
Seen in the lifelong bonds he grew.
Friendship woven across the world,
Threads of love unfurled,
A brother indeed, in all he pursued.

His love of God, his family, his friends,
Resonated through the life he penned.
Our brother, our friend,
A stoic heart, a guiding light—
Forever cherished, forever bright.