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Heart & Vascular Center employee dies

Kelvin Gathers, an employee with the Adult Echo Lab, Heart & Vascular Center, passed away May 17. He had been with MUSC since 1984.
 
Kelvin Gathers

A service was held  May 22 in the Long Point Missionary Baptist Church, 1857 Snowden Road, Mount Pleasant.
 
Gathers is survived by his mother, Miriam Barbara Gathers; sisters, Vernessa, Aretha and Kioshi Renee Gathers; aunts and uncle, Thomasina Gathers, Lucille Gathers, Emily Wallace, Annie Goodwin, Delores Darden, and Eleanora Vanderhorst, Bess Gathers, John Henry Gathers; nephews, Justin L. Gathers, Micah V. Turner, Brandon D. Gathers, and Kamren S. Joyner.
 
An interment was held at Ocean View Cemetery following a viewing held for Gathers at the Johnson-Halls Funeral Home.
 
The following poem is dedicated to Gathers by his coworkers of the Heart & Vascular Center: 
 
“The Broken Chain”—We little knew that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you; you did not go alone; for part of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories; your love is still our guide, and though we cannot see you, you are always at our side. Our family chain is broken and nothing seems the same, but as God calls us one by one, the chain will link again.”

Kelvin Gathers was a good employee. He liked his job and liked coming to work everyday. He was an ambassador for MUSC, you could tell this by his caring and kind attitude towards others. Kelvin enjoyed life and never complained about things being unfair. Because the Adult Echo Lab is such a small department, we are like one big family. Kelvin was very supportive of any events or special occasions in the lab. And more than anything else we always knew that Kelvin put his faith and family first, he devoted his life to God. There are people like Kelvin that touch our lives, that make us stop and wish we could be more like them. He was a good man and we were lucky to have known him.
—Adell E. Bell, Adult Echo Lab

Kelvin and I were best friends for 15 years. He was what everyone wanted in a friend. I will miss him so much, but I know that God loved him best. I still can't believe he slipped away so suddenly without  a word. I know he's in heaven smiling with those beautiful white teeth. I will live my life as Kev did so that we will meet again. One of Kelvin's favorite sayings was, “stay right here until I come back.”
—Janet G. Snipe, Radiology

In nursing school, we are taught to use the holistic approach when dealing with our patients. We cater not just to their medical needs but their spiritual and emotional needs as well. However, when we begin to practice nursing, we tend to forget these concepts. Kelvin exemplified everything the holistic approach signifies everyday. He was always good for a laugh, but he kept Christ in the forefront of his life. If you needed spiritual support he was there as well. I will remember our days in the conference room eating lunch and laughing. This was my time to de-stress. I think we can all learn from Kelvin how we should treat not only our patient's needs, but each others' as well.
—Dawn McNeil, 9 PCU

There's a sweet spirit that will be missed from this place (9PCU). When I think about Kelvin, I think of all the joy and laughter he brought to our patients and staff. Kelvin was Kindhearted and true. Eager to lend a hand. Loved to sing. Victorious. In the memory and hearts of all who knew him and had an Never-ending smile. Kelvin is absent from the body but present with the Lord. He will be missed but not forgotten.  Good-bye my breakfast buddy.
—Michell Lincoln, 9 PCU

Our friendship chain has been broken but our spirit will always be connected.
—Gail Clark, 9 PCU

Always a kind word to say with a smile that would brighten my day. A listening ear with words of good cheer. Truly a man after God's own heart. Is it a wonder that God came to get his son and took him to his eternal home? Kelvin, until me meet again.
—Audrey Singletary, Heart & Vascular Center
   

Friday, May 26, 2006
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