Even though it has been 26 years, this month is and always will be on my mind. I was working at the same place as my husband. The last time I saw him was April 3,1977.

He left on a business trip and he brought me lunch and to say goodbye before he left. On Tuesday April 4th I took my kids to the sitter and went to work. I got off work at 4pm and went to the sitter to pick up my kids. My daughter wanted to stop at the store so we did and she went in. While she was in the store I turned on the radio and was scanning through channels and I stopped on the news. It was telling of an airplane crash in New Hope, Georgia.

Then they told the flight number flight - 242 to Atlanta. My heart stopped for a second. I knew the flight number my husband was to be on. My daughter Tammy came out of the store about that time and I hurried home to find out for sure. I turned the news on TV and they were showing pictures of the crash and I almost lost it.

Finally not knowing what to do I called the personnel manager at work. He had not heard anything. So he started trying to find out.

In the meantime, I called the motel where my husband was to be staying. The lady told me that he and his fellow workers had checked out at noon. Then I really lost it.

I called my Mom and Cliff’s (my husband) Dad. After a while, John called me and said that he found out that he was on the plane. The waiting was awful. I got numerous calls from a Southern Airlines employee. They were to call me I forget how often. They were really nice and caring.

Finally on Thursday April 6, I got the heartbreaking call that they had identified his body. I don't remember to much after that.

This was when I was 27 years old. I was really lost.

Now my children are grown and have families. I have three beautiful grand-kids. I remarried to a great guy.

But there will always be the void in my life .

Anyway I hope this wasn't too long. I could write a book on my life since that day.
[Editor's note: Thank you for sharing your story with us, Cannie. Best wishes to your and your family. -Patrick]

--Cannie Head (cannie112 at earthlink dotnet)

I am resident of Dallas/New Hope Ga. and many of our church's families were affected by the deaths on the ground from flight 242. Our prayers and thoughts are always with them.

--Pat02