We heard from Cecilia Palmer, wife of Phil "SmithLakeChevy" Palmer, when a post from his account showed up showing that his beautiful 1954 Chevy 3100 Hydromatic was for sale. It was a surprise to the Stovebolt Family since we heard from him he was fairly busy working on his "dream truck." His first post
in the Welcome Centre expressed his excitement from the get-go.
Phil offered good advice and enthusiasm as other Bolters worked on their projects. No wonder his signature line said:
"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop."
"To know what you know, and what you do not know, that is true knowledge." - Confucius
Cecelia posted in that Swap Meet, Trucks for Sale, that Phil passed away in May 2022, at the age of 64, after a battle with cancer.
We personally had some exchange with Phil when his screen name popped up. We were very familiar with Smith Lake (Alabama) and it made for some nice strolls down memory lane for us catching up with him on the news from there.
Just because he won't show up anymore, we will not forget him, and the others. We don't want to think of their passing as leaving an empty parking space. We want to think of them as having left a permanent brick in the foundation of the site. Piece by piece, brick by brick, we exist because they helped build us.
So, just as there are memorial walks paved with Memory stones, here is the spot to to recall those who lovingly left a greasy hand print on this place before they left for the rust-free zone.
Those of us who are left behind still wrenching, feel free to share a fond memory, a funny story or to just give thanks for the friendship or fellowship in memory of Stovebolters who have passed us by.