Taken Too Soon

Taken Too Soon

By Marla Jones, Managing Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

SYLVANIA, Ala. — I love my job, but sometimes reporting the news is not easy, especially when it’s about the death of a beloved member of our community. 

On Saturday, I was alerted to the passing of Chip Sizemore. I have known Chip’s family for many years and watched the Sizemore children grow up. I was a teacher’s aide for his mother, Deb, and she went on to teach my children at Sylvania High School. 

Several times over the last few days, I’ve tried to start typing a story about his death, but found myself unable to even finish a sentence. This hit close to home. Two brothers were doing what they love and spending time together when tragedy happened. 

I sat and thought of the many times my own two boys have gone duck hunting, something they love, and how easily a similar tragedy could’ve happened to them. 

Many testimonies from friends tell of how Chip lived life to the fullest. According to his sister, Carley, “he loved the Lord, his family and Auburn football. He loved hunting and was an America-loving patriot conservative who loved his church and his community. He loved cheering on his Sylvania Rams.”

Chip’s life was taken too soon and he will be missed by all who knew him. His mother said it best when she stated, “Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can’t heal.”