Steve and I were together for 65 years. I will miss him terribly. We’ve been through lots of happy ups but also the downs – two imperfect people loving each other, refusing to give up on each other. Steve was a wonderful man – loving, practical and creative. He had a strong faith, was committed to church and family and was a blessing to me and to many, many others. 
Steve put others before himself. We were newly married living in Virginia in South Africa. One of the congregation, Denis, was seriously ill in Durban. Without hesitation, Steve drove for seven hours down to see him to be with him and to minister to him. Denis and his wife became lifelong friends. Justin you might remember Uncle Denis and Aunty Jean at Kenton when you were six years old and spending a holiday with Grandpa and me.
Still in that first appointment, Evelyn was working for us. In South Africa then, the domestic workers had a room outside the house. Evelyn was married to Thomas who worked on one of the mines. One evening Thomas came to visit her and of course slept overnight in her room. During the night, we were woken to loud banging and shouting. Two policeman had arrived with their guns, after hearing that Thomas was there. They were going to arrest him and take him off to prison. Shocking times!Steve went outside and confronted them. “Arrest me“, he said. “I was the one who allowed him to be here“. To cut a long story short, the policemen went off, without Thomas, but with these words to Steve, “Reverend, please pray for us. We have a difficult job.“
Steve touched many lives. On the occasion of our 50th wedding anniversary, our own children had somehow contacted several of the now adults, who had been part of the Epworth children’s homes when Steve was both principal and minister. There were so many beautiful messages of thanks from them: Without you I would never have been where I am today; thank you for helping to shape me into the person I have become; we will forever be grateful to you for being a part of our lives; thank you for going the extra mile for us; and my favourite: thank you for the precious years at Epworth and for making each child feel like they had a place in this world.
Frank worked in the kitchen at Epworth. Steve somehow managed to get him a desperately needed kidney transplant. “You saved my life“, Frank later wrote in a thank you letter to Steve. 
Duifie was secretary at Epworth. She was due to retire. Steve managed to arrange that she be paid a pension – a huge blessing for her.
 
Leonard, Sandi and Adrian,
You were your Dad’s pride and joy. He loved you with all his heart. He prayed for you constantly. He loved you unconditionally, as do I. Nothing can ever change that.
You were so good to him, not only visiting for holidays, but travelling long distances to be with him when he was hospitalised or ill. Thank you so very much.
Steph, You have been a wonderful part of our family for more than a quarter of a century. You shared a very special bond with Dad. He enjoyed chatting to you about plants and gardens and many other things. Always know that Dad loved you very much and appreciated you.
Christine, No words can adequately express what you did during these last many months. When he needed help, or when there was an emergency, you were with him literally in minutes to do whatever was needed. And with gentleness and love at all times. Thank you. 

To our wonderful grandchildren, you brought great joy to your Grandpa. He adored you and you were always in his prayers.
Justin, Grandpa would often recall the holidays you spent with us. He enjoyed you so much, caring for you, singing lustily with you in the car on the long trips to Kenton, pointing out anything interesting, taking you on outings . Those times were very special.
Stephen, Grandpa baptised you and was very proud that you had been named after him. Through the years he was tremendously proud of your achievements. He loved you.
Rachel, Grandpa was always amazed at how much you had achieved. He loved you dearly. Your recent visit to him was very special.
Josie, You were a little bundle of joy from the day you were born. Your Bankia adored you all through the years.
Nyx, Your Grandpa enjoyed you every holiday when we went to you or you visited us. He loved you very, very much.
Ethan, You were Grandpa’s youngest grandchild and you held a special place in his heart. He loved you.
Robin, Leigh, Alex and Gabby, Grandpa enjoyed having you with us at Kenton. Leigh and Melissa, you were wonderful spending time with Grandpa, specially when he was confined to bed. You made Grandpa into a great grandpa! Mae, Alex and Gabby, you were his great, grandchildren. What a privilege for your great grandpa.
Mike, Ali and Joshua, Thank you for helping him, encouraging and being part of his life.
Margot, your phone calls meant a lot to your brother, especially when he was struggling. Each call you made was special to him and lifted his spirits. Peter, Jean and Sheldon, Uncle Steve followed your progress with interest.
Lorna and Corinne, my precious sisters you were part of Steve’s life for a long, long time. Lor for 6 and a half decades and Cor, ever since you were 8 years old. Thank you for all you shared with him and meant to him.
Jonathan, you visited us many times at Kenton. Steve looked forward to each visit with great joy. Thank you for being a happy part of his life. He held you in great esteem.
Colin, You have been a very special part of our lives for many years. Thank you for all you meant to Steve.
Jono, You were very special to your Uncle Steve. You and Marna were a ray of sunshine in his life.
Marna, Jy was ‘n spesiale deel van Oom Steve se lewe. Hy het die gesprekke wat julle saam gehad het, baie geniet. Hy was altyd vol glimlagte nadat hy met jou gepraat het.
Alison, Michelle, Andrew and Shannon, and your precious families, scattered all over the world, you were all loved by your Uncle Steve.
Michelle and Steve, you gave him so much love. Your family visit to Kenton with Ella and Tessa was very looked forward to, and enjoyed and appreciated and remembered.
Andrew, It was really a special time for Uncle Steve when you and Jen, Caleb and Daniel, visited at Kenton. Thank you.
Shannon, Steve was looking forward to you and Niels and Joshua and Lucas coming to Kenton. Alas Covid 19 came instead.

Brian and Wendy, we shared so much. Thank you for being such a special part of Steve’s life and ministry.
Steve had many good friends, too many to mention.
Rose, Pauline, Shirley, Dave, Glen and Jeanette, Kevin and Cherryl, our dear neighbour Russell, and Rod, Susan and family, Tony and Joan, you were a blessing and inspiration to him. Thank you.
Rod, Steve always enjoyed chatting to you and Glen, sharing, catching up on church matters, theology chats, and being with you.
Rod, thank you from us all for setting aside time in your busy life to do this memorial for Steve.

Bless you all. You gave to Steve what you had – your time, your smiles, your words, your love, your encouragement and your help. Thank you. Thank you so much.