Celebration of Life

On December 23rd, we received a call that my grandfather and only living grandparent had passed away.  It was expected because he has just been getting worse with each passing day the past couple of months.  We know he is not in pain anymore and we are glad for that.

I didn't really know my grandfather ("Grump") that well.. Yes, we made the trip to Alabama every year to see him, but we didn't know him.  I was so happy to hear all of the stories from Phyllis and Steve at his celebration of life.  He was a true patriot and loved his country.  He served his country proudly and even buried General Patton in Luxembourg.  Grump even had a fort named after him in Jackson, AL called the "Fort Guy French Armory."  He is the first and probably the last living person that will have one named for them.  

Since Neil needed to work the last 3 days that his company was open and we needed someone to watch the boys...I went alone.  I met my mom and brother in Meridian, MS where we left my brother's car the day after Christmas. Unfortunately  my dad couldn't attend because his Aunt Ethelyn (age 98) passed away the same day and her funeral was the same day.  I was sad to miss her funeral. I have to admit how nice it was to drive 4 hours by myself, singing at the top of my lungs to old favorites like Celine Dion, Dixie Chicks, and old school rap.  I love busting out old college CDs!  

We all got in the car together and headed to Oneonta, AL.  As we pulled in to Alabama...we had to pull over and do the self-timer in front of the Alabama sign.  Love this.

me, brother, and mom on the side of the highway (I-20)

We stopped  in Birmingham for Anthropologie and a terrible dinner.  We laughed so much at the restaurant that it turned out to be fun even if we didn't leave full.

We arrived in Oneonta, AL around 9 pm, settled in for some cousin time and then went to bed.  We had the funeral the next day and boy was it family filled.  We all met at Ken's BBQ for lunch before heading to the funeral home.  We happen to see some other cousins there who were in town for the funeral.

brother/sister

We with Carrie outside the BBQ place. (It's a talking pig)

We arrived at the funeral home and saw some lovely arrangements sent all the way from Shreveport and Ruston, LA.

arrangement from Neil's family

arrangement sent by Dad and Trish Davis

The graveside was very impressive.  2 uniformed gentlemen came and played Taps and folded the flag and presented it to Uncle Wayne, Grump's youngest brother.  Grump is Uncle Wayne's hero.

Uncle Wayne was just beside himself that he received the flag. It is supposed to go to the next of kin or in Grump's case, his kids.  They all decided that Wayne should have it.  He said "I am very proud of this!"  It was the sweetest thing.

We had some comic relief during the funeral when Aunt Bonnie "whispered" very LOUDLY to her husband that she needed a kleenex.  It was hilarious!  He couldn't hear her so she got louder and louder.  Pretty soon everyone was handing over a kleenex to her.

Carrie and me with Uncle Mike...our favorite!

After the graveside service, we all headed back to Ken's BBQ for pie and coffee.  There were about 50 family members there and you could tell the workers were saying "Oh, no!  Not them AGAIN!"

Uncle Mike and Aunt Carolyn!  I love my mom's brother and sister!

Cousin Sally and me

Aunt Carolyn and me

Uncle Mike, Aunt C, Mom, Our favorite Aunt Charoltte, Carrie, Leslie and CAL in front.