CityView Magazine

CityViewNC .com | 27 E very day for much of the past year, Zula Wood was among the faithful friends who called to check on Judy Dawkins. Aer all, Frank Dawkins, Judy's beloved husband of 62 years, had died Oct. 4, 2019. True friends don't let one another grieve alone. "I needed Zula," Judy Dawkins said. "And she was there for me." But then the unthinkable happened. Zula, one of the original group of volunteers with the Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center and dedicated to the cause for all of the 32 years since the center's inception, was herself diagnosed with cancer early this year. "She never complained and always had a positive outlook and spirit," Judy said. Zula underwent treatment and was declared in remission in July. A nurse snapped a photo of the two friends in the center's parking lot to celebrate. But the next day, Zula called to say she was having trouble breathing. She died Aug. 11 of complications from pneumonia. "I have never experienced a greater pain than the loss of my husband, and now I have lost my closest friend," Judy said. "All within 10 months." e two couples – Judy and Frank and Zula and Johnny Woods – had formed a fast friendship that dated back to 1982 when the Woodses joined Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, as well as Judy's and Frank's Sunday school class. Along with other close couple friends, they laughed together, traveled together, went out to eat together. Losing the love of her life and a treasured friend in the span of just a few months hurts. But some people talk about faith; Judy Dawkins is one who lives it. e tears still come, but she keeps a smile on her face. "I know I will see both of them again," she said. "I have a mountain of happy memories of them. I carry both of their hearts within my heart every day." True Friends are Forever PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAT THEW WONDERLY

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