Proclamation Signed at Fiscal Court in Honor of Ms. Susie Vincent: Guest Memoir in Memory of Longtime Volunteer

Edmonson County Judge/Executive Scott Lindsey signed and presented a proclamation at Monday's Fiscal Court meeting in honor of longtime Kyrock and Homemakers Volunteer, Ms. Susie Vincent.

The following memoir was written and submitted by Ms. Vincent's sister, Ms. Shelby Butler.

A Legacy of Light: My Sister’s Journey

When my sister was nine years old, our world turned upside down. It started with headaches and blurred vision-little warnings of the storm to come. The diagnosis was a cruel one: a brain tumor entwined in her optic nerve. The doctors spoke in hushed tones, their faces etched with concern. They told us she wouldn’t live to see her eighteenth birthday.

Three major surgeries followed, each more daunting than the last. We watched as she fought through pain no child should have to endure. She lost her sight in her left eye completely, and her right eye was left with tunnel vision. Her world grew darker, but her spirit never dimmed.

Despite everything, she chose to live. She chose to love. And she chose to serve.

For 27 years, she walked the halls of Kyrock Elementary, her shoes tapping softly on the tiled floors. She knew those halls better than anyone, not because she could see them, but because she felt them with her heart. Every child who passed through those doors knew her voice, her laugh, her unwavering patience. She volunteered tirelessly, helping with anything and everything, never asking for recognition or praise. Her reward was the smiles she brought to young faces.

But her generosity didn’t stop there. She dedicated over 32 years to the Homemakers, serving in important positions and bringing joy to gatherings with her humor and kindness. She was a cornerstone of the community, a constant presence that made everyone feel welcomed and valued.

Perhaps her greatest legacy was at 4-H Camp. For 29 summers, she led craft classes, her hands guiding where her eyes could not. She taught more than just crafts-she taught resilience, creativity, and perseverance. The kids adored her, not because she pitied herself but because she inspired them. She showed them that obstacles are just opportunities in disguise.

Year after year, she returned to that camp, pouring her love and energy into every lesson. Generations of campers grew up under her care, learning not only to make something with their hands but also to believe in themselves.

The doctors were wrong. She didn’t just live to see her eighteenth birthday; she lived to see fifty-six years, each one more meaningful than the last. Her life wasn’t measured in years but in moments, in lives touched, and in the legacy she left behind.

When she passed away, our community mourned deeply. It was as if a light had gone out, but her glow remained in every heart she touched. At her memorial, stories poured in-stories of kindness, of laughter, of quiet encouragement. People spoke of how she had changed their lives, how her courage had inspired them to be better.

I still hear her voice sometimes, echoing in my memories. I remember her laughter, her fierce determination, and the way she never let anything hold her back. Her vision may have been limited, but her insight was boundless. She saw beauty where others couldn’t and she shared that beauty with the world.

My sister taught me that life is not about what you can see but about how you see it. She chose to see hope, love and purpose, even in darkness. She showed me that a legacy isn’t about wealth or power, it’s about how you make others feel. It’s about the lives you touch and the light you leave behind.

She was more than my sister; she was my hero. And though she is gone, her legacy shines on-in every craft project, every child she mentored, and every heart she inspired. She taught me that the greatest vision comes not from the eyes but from the heart and hers was the brightest of all.

Written by Shelby Butler, Cecilia, KY.