Everyday Angels

Flowers blanketed the Schug family lawn as word traveled throughout the community of the passing of our sweet Chasity Schug on Nov. 4. Since August, many have followed Chasity’s difficult journey as she bravely fought the complications of COVID-19.

Our community rallied to support Chasity and her family through prayer chains, meal trains, prayer circles on the hospital grounds, T-shirts, logos and meals for the ICU nursing staff. Chasity’s painful journey had a way of jolting life back into its proper perspective; causing us to forget about all that never really mattered. We loved just like Chasity taught us to love. We followed her journey and desperately prayed for a different outcome.

“Today [Nov. 4] was the worst day of my entire life. It is with a heavy heart that I let you know that my angel on Earth has become an angel in heaven,” Scott wrote on the Prayers for Chasity Facebook page, which has more than 1,600 followers, and a GoFundMe page.

Chasity Schug, 44, wife of Scott and mom of Carter, 15, and Preston, 13, spent her life selflessly loving and caring for everyone she met. She had a special way of seeing others with her heart and not her eyes, her love genuinely deep and unconditional.

“Chasity planted the seed of love, empathy, kindness, selflessness, generosity, fellowship, loyalty and friendship to all she met,” said her close friend, Suzy Gebhart. She was heavily involved in her boys’ school and many sports activities. She always was volunteering, cheering for every child and building relationships that turned friends into family. Her love for children was one of the many gifts that came naturally to her. She kept children in her home while her boys were younger, and later served as the lead infant teacher at Hillside Preschool and Academy. In Chasity’s memory, the family set up a fund at Hillside United Methodist Church to make playground improvements for the children she deeply loved. Chasity made us better and our community better.

Everyday Angels was first introduced to the Schug family in 2016, when Chasity’s husband, Scott, then 39, was battling papillary cancer. During that time, Chasity bravely cared for her husband and her young, active sons. It did not take long to understand why everyone loved this sweet family. Fast forward five years to find Scott and Chasity’s roles Everyday Angels is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit serving Cherokee County since 2000. To make a tax deductible donation, visit www. everydayangels.info to donate via Paypal, or send your donations reversed. On Aug. 18, Chasity, tested positive for COVID-19. to: Everyday Angels, PMB 380, 1025 Rose Creek Drive, Suite 620, Since the beginning of the pandemic, Chasity diligently protected herself, her sons, and especially Scott, whose immune Woodstock GA, 30189. One hundred percent of your funds will go to the family you specify. If you know of a special need in your community, email aaeverydayangels@gmail.com. system was compromised.

A memorial on the Shug family’s lawn in memory of Chasity, right. On Aug. 24, she went to Wellstar Kennestone’s emergency room with a high fever and was treated for pneumonia, a bladder infection and dehydration. The next day, her condition worsened, and she was moved to the intensive care unit, where she remained for 72 days. She quickly went from a ventilator to the addition of an ECMO machine, which pumps and oxygenates a patient’s blood outside the body, allowing the heart and lungs to rest and recover, as well as dialysis and a trachea. Chasity fought so hard, however, blood clots, bleeding, pneumonia and infection made recovery impossible. During her 72 days in the ICU, the doctors and ICU team made a personal connection with Chasity; their love and care for her was amazing. “The team at the hospital has been fantastic. They are making miracles happen every day and deserve our respect and praise,” Scott said. Chasity’s younger brother, Will, joined her on the ICU floor, also fighting the virus. Please continue to pray for their sweet family, and for a full and complete recovery for Will. As Scott faces his future without his wife of 20 years, he also faces the reality associated with ICU co-pays, funeral costs, and stepping into shoes that no one can fill. Let’s support the Schug family and keep them in our prayers. Everyday Angels wishes our amazing community a safe, healthy and peaceful Christmas season. May we all love and be as loved as Chasity Schug!