Since sleep may be slow coming tonight. I’ll go ahead and post. My dear mama passed peacefully from this fleeting and transitory life, surrounded by family, including her four children and her brother, the last survivor of seven siblings. She had a massive stroke and she went quickly, though they were able to jump start her, which gave the family enough time to gather and make the needful decisions.
She was born and lived all her life in Upper East Tennessee (Knoxville and north to the Tri Cities). After my daddy died in 1994, she was able to live independently and to live a full and rich life. She did not go in much for the “senior lifestyle” whatever that is; but had a devoted set of friends who were naturally attracted to her sweetness and goodness.
Her happiest times were when her family gathered. As, the Mrs mentioned, this past Saturday, all but two in the immediate family (including four great grand children celebrated her ninetieth birthday.
We went to church with her the next day. When she was recognized, she again surprised herself by standing up and expressing how much she loved them all. (After she did it she told us, “I can’t believe I did that.”) What a sweet memory - one of too many to begin to number.
She followed family tradition being an elementary school teacher. She most loved teaching first grade. When Christian schools began to open, sh brought her years of experience to assist getting them established by mentoring new teachers.
A couple of years ago, she turned the family genealogy over to me. I loved seeing her surprise herself when a long forgotten memory came back to her.
One thing I learned was that between college terms one summer, she and a girlfriend worked at Oak Ridge where the atomic energy work was done.
I have no idea what my world will be like without her.
Thanks to all for the kind words.
I wish to express my deepest sympathies and condolences. It would appear that your mama was a fine woman who lived a long and wonderful life with great family ties. May she rest in peace with God. God be with you and yours.
What a wonderful blessing to have had such a wonderful mother.
Our thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
My own dear mother, of blessed memory, passed 23 years and one day ago. It’s still hard.
O God of all spirits and of every flesh, Who did trod down death and overcome the devil, bestowing life on this Your world, to the soul of this Your handmaiden, departed this life, do You Yourself, O Lord, give rest in a place of light, in a place of green pasture, in a place of refreshment, from where pain and sorrow and mourning have fled away. Every sin by her committed in thought, word, or deed, do You as our Good and Loving God forgive; seeing that there is no man who shall live and sin not, for You alone are without sin. Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your Law is truth; for You are the Resurrection, the Life, and the Repose of Your handmaiden, departed this life, O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory, with Your Eternal Father and Your All-Holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit; both now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Glory to You, O Christ our God and our Hope; glory to You. May Christ our true God, Who rose from the dead, have mercy on us; He Who as Immortal King has authority over both the dead and the living. Through the intercessions of His spotless, pure and holy Mother; of the holy, glorious, and all;praiseworthy Apostles; of our venerable and Godbearing Fathers; of the holy and glorious forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; of His holy and just friend Lazaros, who lay in the grave four days; and of all the Saints; establish the soul of His handmaiden, departed from us, in the tentings of the Just; give her rest in the bosom of Abraham; and number her among the Just, through His goodness and compassion as our merciful God.
Everlasting be your memory, O our sister, who are worthy of blessedness and eternal memory.