September 12, 1961 – May 28, 2009

This quilt was designed to represent the life of Keldrick Jackson, a man who not only had so much love for his family, but also his country. He was a man born to sail the seas and he defended his country with much love and great honor. His infectious smile and charismatic personality will forever be missed by those who knew and loved him.

“We do not mourn the man who died, but only thank God that such a man lived.”

I kept the quilt simple with his high school picture, full name but known as “DJ” plus his dates of birth and death.

I chose this picture because when DJ came home after his photo shoot, he was telling me how much fun he had putting on the tux, fixing his hair, and doing different poses. He was excited because all of his pictures came out great; especially when choosing which picture to send out to family/friends.

This picture reminds me, my husband Daryl, and daughter Christine of the simple pleasure of happiness that DJ had that day.

The design on this quilt square was inspired by Clarke Herself. The photo is her headshot from the School of Performing Arts in the Richmond Community, which was taken in the summer before her death. She used this photo along with her application to apply to the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School. She was accepted and would have attended in the fall of 2007.

Ben’s quilt piece is done in a simple fashion. He was not one for much of anything fancy and complicated. His piece was designed and cross-stitched by his mother because it was a hobby she greatly enjoyed and it gave her time to think about Ben.

The buttons on the quilt represent all the interests that he enjoyed. He was a very good athlete – he was catcher on the baseball team and quarterback in football, he loved hunting, cutting wood and he had a herd of cattle and farmed some of the time.

My quilt square is made in memory of Lee Edward Eshleman, my youngest son.

I used feed sacks, a vintage fabric that I retrieved from the home of my mother; Lee’s “little” grandma with whom he had a special bond.

Lee was highly artistic and encouraged my quilt-piecing designs and skills, so I thought it was a good way to affirm his artistic talents.

Rosalie Eshleman
Mother

The small blocks in this quilt square represent some of my husband’s priorities or personality:

He could tell the make of a car by its shape.

His great-grandmother was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian.

He loved birds to watch and feed.

The Air Force was a proud moment n his life.

Being Chaplain of a jail and ministering God’s Word to inmates for 23 years was the center of his life.

His country and its safety were very important.

Eagles and their solitary life style appealed to him.