He was a pattern maker by profession. More importantly, he was the pattern for the many lives he touched….

His name was John Jebaily, affectionately called Papa by friends and family. After 92 wonderful years of being the pattern for the lives of the many he touched, we tucked him in and said goodbye on June 27th.

The Jebaily name is literally a household word in the city of Florence, SC. After studying pattern making at the New York School of Fashion and Design, he was sent to Florence by the Wentworth Manufacturing Company, makers of ladies dresses.

In his industry, he was a bit of a legend, earning honors from many high profile clients such as Sears. But he was more than a pattern maker; he was the pattern for so many.

He and his wonderful wife of 66 years, Sylvia, gave birth to five amazing sons, whom I consider to be my five brothers. They call me a Jebaily on a half-shell; I'm proud to be in the club.

Like the Jebaily's, I am of Lebanese descent. I even attend their family reunions, where the relatives come up to me and ask me which cousin I am.

The oldest is Ron Jebaily. He and younger brother George Jebaily operate one of Florence's most successful law firms.

Jerry Jebaily, MD is one of Florence's premier doctors and has been a pattern for so many young medical students he has mentored over the years.

Joseph Jebaily owns a car dealership. When Papa John retired, he worked closely with Joseph in his dealership customizing vans for a hungry buying public.

And then there is young John Jebaily, one of Florence's most successful REALTORS and a key player in the formation of First Reliance Bank, which is about to open a new branch in my hometown of Lexington.

I was about to join John and his family for the wedding of John's son, Patrick, who like his uncle, is a doctor. I'm convinced that Papa John brought the troops home early just to allow the out-of-towners like me to enjoy a double feature, the celebration of his funeral Mass and the celebration of his grandson's marriage. It was just like the pattern maker to get the goodbyes out of the way before the celebration of his grandson's wedding. I think Papa planned it that way.

Another grandchild, Ali, is about to give birth to his Papa's first great grandchild. He wouldn't want to get in the way of that celebration either. The cycle of life is so precious, and the pattern maker's role is clear. Be the example. Live the example. Show them the way.

When my Jebaily brothers have a family disagreement, they follow a simple formula: "What would Papa do?" Any disagreements are quickly resolved. And make no mistake; like all families, differences exist. Two of the brothers are flaming liberals. Two are a little on the right side of Genghis Kahn. The fifth is somewhere in the middle. I love witnessing the debates between these guys. The battles always end with a hug and a kiss from one another.

Papa's funeral Mass was a grand celebration that featured the singing and Lectoring and embodiment of his gifted and talented grandchildren. Just when one took my breath away with his or her beauty and talent, another stepped in. Papa had to be lying there with a smile on his face as hundreds of his admirers gathered at St. Anthony Catholic Church to say goodbye. Would that we all are so blessed when we depart this world?

The Lebanese have an interesting saying that is so true: The only difference between a Lebanese wedding and a Lebanese funeral is there is one less person there. We party hearty because we celebrate life. And when we sat down to break bread and celebrate a life well lived, a marriage about to start or a new life coming into this world, we do it over food. And we always save a place an empty seat at our table for those we've lost. Papa was not there in person, but we could feel his spirit.