My beloved wife Tamara Mills-Hadley was only 32 years old when she lost her life. She was the passenger in a car that underrode an illegally parked truck trailer on April 14, 1993. This new model trailer was equipped with the 1953 style of underride guard (guillotine guard). There were no triangles placed on the roadway and parking lights were not lit. There was a heavy fog and no street lighting. The trailer was without modern tape. The speed limit was 40 m.p.h., a fatal speed for stiff underride devices.

There were no-parking signs to the front and the rear of the truck on this high speed County roadway in front of a Sheriffs Station. The truck driver was not cited. He was allowed to continue parking on this no-parking roadway in the same spot he had killed my wife, our pleas for justice were ignored! Justice exists only for the wealthy and powerful in America. She left behind our two daughters, Jade and Crystal. They lost the greatest mom that ever lived. I lost the greatest person I have ever known.

 I met Tammy (to me only) when she was 14 years old. Our first two years together we decided to be friends, as she was only 14. Thereafter, we spent the best 16 years of my life, together. Tammy had a very simple philosophy of life, love with all of your heart, enjoy life, share with those you meet, and do not waste time worrying about life’s little problems. We lived a simple life with our children. Tammy always had a great affinity for children, and we only took one vacation without our kids.

Tammy worked with disabled kids until she became pregnant with our first daughter, she was dismissed for being pregnant. She then went on to college and received her degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught pre-school off and on for the rest of her life. She always dreamed of going back to school so she could work with those disabled children again. Children loved her because she did not hide her heart.

Together with our friends we started a Christmas charity for abused and battered women and children, and when she was with us to provide the energy, we also included the local children’s hospital. It has been very successful, we recently were recognized for our efforts by the Y.W.C.A., but now along with the joy, there are the memories of who is not there with us. Her love, spirit, and joy will always be with us.

I was very honored that she chose to share her life with me, we are all richer for having known and loved her. All we can do now is honor her memory, and continue to love her with all that we are and do.

Steve

  Husband and Wife