The Church of the Living God USA's General Overseer, Bishop Jerry W. Wilhite, visited our church Saturday and read one of my poems posted on the bulletin board. Amazed at the poem's craftsmanship, he asked if I had really written it. I replied, "yes." Saying that I "hit it on the nail" portraying the brother whom the poem was about, he requested a copy. I happened to have a few sheets in  a binder, so I handed him one. He said that he was going to purchase a "nice" frame and display it at his local church in Monroe, Louisiana. He stated that all of the churches in the brotherhood should also obtain a copy. The poem, entitled "Bright Fame," is a tribute to our late National Finance Committee Chairman, Elder Robert Knighten. God inspired me to write the piece a couple days after his funeral on his birthday at 4 o' clock in the morning three years ago. Here is the poem, "Bright Fame," below:

© 2008 Sylvia L.  Green Chatman

In Loving  Memory Of Elder Robert L.  Knighten
April 24, 1948 - April 11, 2008

He was  a man loved by  many.
Enemies–could one find any?
A friend he proved to  all he knew.
He  was genuine–yes, it’s true.

A preacher who meant what he said,
To speak out, he was unafraid.
He would tell you if you were  wrong,
Yet still knew how to get along...