There will be a cookout benefit for Earl Lee Stott on Saturday, July 25 from 4 p.m.-10 p.m. at the Green Creek Fire Department.

Barbeque, hamburger and hot dog plates will be available, including baked beans, slaw, dessert and a drink. Live music will be provided by Barry Jackson and Southern Pride, in addition to Kerry and Wanda McSwain. There will also be raffles and door prizes.

Stott has been hospitalized since March. A letter from his family follows:

How My Life Changed in the Wink of an Eye

Earl Lee Stott of Green Creek was recuperating from a previous complete shoulder replacement surgery. On March 15, he awoke with a headache and tingling in his hands and feet. By the next day, he had slurred speech and facial drooping. He called his daughter, unable to form complete sentences, and she rushed to her father&squo;s home.

Immediately she took him to Spartanburg Regional ER. After many tests, he was admitted to the stroke unit with a possible with a CVA. After a stroke was ruled out, he was diagnosed with Guillian-Barre Syndrome.

By the next day, he was admitted to the Neuro-Intensive Care Unit. He had to be intubated due to respiratory complications. Next, he was in surgery for a tracheotomy and feeding tube. He has been on a ventilator for weeks, but to this day remains at Spartanburg Regional Restorative Unit. He remains paralyzed in his upper extremities and unable to support himself on his lower extremities.

Guillian-Barre Syndrome is an autoimmune disease for which there is no cure. His family and the doctors remain positive and hopeful that he will fully recover from this disease.

Stott is the son of the late Junior Lee and Annie Laura Stott of Landrum. He grew up in Landrum and graduated from Landrum High School in 1969. He is married to Nancy Lawrence Stott. They have two daughters, Myra S. Padgett and Lisa S. Miller. He has five grandchildren: Averee, Hadyn, and Kenslee Padgett, and Autumn and Evan Miller. He also has a sister, Elyse S. Jackson, and a brother, Jackie Stott.

Earl and Jackie manage their late father&squo;s business in Landrum, Stott&squo;s Used Cars and Wheel Covers. Every week, they traveled to Statesville, Leesville, Anderson and Fletcher to the car sales.

He also enjoyed hunting and spending many days at the Hunting Club with his hunting buddies. He misses his Jack Russell terrier, &dquo;Missy.&dquo; He also misses not being able to attend church services at Hickory Grove Baptist and Sunday afternoon dinners with his daughters, son-in-laws and grandchildren.

Many individuals and churches have visited him regularly and prayed for him. The Green Creek Fire Department is sponsoring a benefit for him on July 25. Earl&squo;s cousin, Lane Stott, who has been a fireman with the department for more than 30 years, will provide the BBQ. Barry Jackson, Earl&squo;s brother-in-law, will play music with his band, Southern Pride. Kerry and Wanda McSwain will also perform. We request that you tell your friends and come out and make this a special event for him and his family.

Any individuals, businesses, churches or organizations that can help with this event by donating paper products (plates, cups, utensils) as well as door prizes and raffle items will be greatly appreciated. Also needed are homemade cakes, pies and cookies. To purchase tickets, call Elyse S. Jackson at 828-863-2341, or 864-497-5087, or call Terrance Randolf at 828-863-2340 or 828-429-2341.

If unable to attend, those who wish to help with the event may contact the Green Creek Fire Department (Stott Fund) 8645 Hwy. 9 south, Columbus, N.C. 28722.

To our husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, Earl Lee, God is in control and we know you can overcome this.

Love,

Your Family