Got the news that my cousin Gene passed away as I was entering the church to attend Aunt Alma's funeral on Dec. 10. According to Duncan, Gene's entire immediate family was surrounding him when he died. They sang Amazing Grace at some point. It sounded like something out of Norman Rockwell. I saw tears in a few of my cousins' eyes during the funeral service. Tears for Gene. It was a unique situation.
At the graveside I thought of Mother's last moment on earth and how different it was from Gene's. None of her family was with her. Only that crazy old-person killer, JoAnn, all the time talking with that annoying accent while Mom was in pain. Mom called me. I complained about the time. She died. I wish I would have been with her. I feel sorry for her to have to die that way. I'm glad I was the last person she spoke with.
Went to Gene's funeral yesterday in the midst of a terrible flooding rain storm in Houston. Threw coins at the toll booth exact change thingie and missed. Had to open my door in the windy storm to pick up the coins and re-throw them. My hair just about blew off my head. I felt very annoyed and out of control. We were five minutes late to the funeral, just in time to see Gene's body before the service started. Seven people arrived after us. Four of which were Sonja, Julian, Pat, and Delois. I was glad to see them. Denalda was appreciative of our attending. The preacher read what various members of the family wrote about Gene. A cell phone rang as Denalda's words were read.
Cooked meat loaf and mashed potatoes tonight. It wasn't very good. Nathan is engaged to Jessica. They are coming over this weekend to do Christmas early. I have a fear she will break his heart, again, but he is absolutely crazy about her.
A bit melancholy. The husband is distant. He shows the dog and cat more affection than he shows me. I swept the floors today and mopped one of them.
I think I will boycott funerals for a while.
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Aunt Alma
Alma Beatrice Jones Griffin (married my Uncle Chester) passed away on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 2005. She was 99 years old. Barry and I went to the visitation last night at Emken-Linton Funeral Home. The flowers were absolutely beautiful. I saw some from Aunt Irene's children and Aunt Lucille's children, but none from JD's children (me) and none from Uncle LeeRoy's children. Buddy was LeeRoy's representative at most or all of the Griffin funerals, but he passed away late last year or early this year. I don't know if they were even told about this death. I don't think they are on Timmy's bulk email list.
Alma's casket was made of beautiful medium brown wood and it was covered with a spray of pink roses. She was dressed in an elegant pink suit with a pink silk blouse underneath. She didn't look a day over 70. There was a blown up surgical glove with the words, "Hi Grandma" written in black marker in her casket near her left hand; probably placed there by her grandson, John (the one we bought the temperpedic mattress from).
I met and thoroughly enjoyed 94 year old Thelma Dyess, a name I grew up hearing; a close family friend who arrived in Texas City the same year the Griffins did, 1911. Lee Hancock, one of our claim's to fame, was represented by his Aunt Sara Hancock Warren. She was a dramatic delight with her tales of living with Aunt Irene for one year when she was a teenager and of course her tales of Hollywood. As she was walking off I said, "My name is Sarah, too." She said, "How do spell it?" I said, "With an H." She said, with great drama,"Oh, you've got it all wrong!"
Mike and Pat and their spouses and children were all there as well as prominent business people, such as the Hammonds and the Acrees.
Earlier in the day, Barry and I took some Taco soup to Mike's house and visited with Mike and his son John, briefly. John was happy to receive the soup. He said his wife makes it, too. At the visitation Delois (Pat's wife) complimented the soup. She said she was going to eat some more later. Joan (Mike's wife) said the soup was almost gone. Joan and Mike invited Barry and me to their house for lunch today to help eat all the food that people are bringing to them. Everyone is invited to eat at the church after the funeral.
Ricky is driving in from Fort Worth today. Ronnie requested a ride with us to the funeral. I suspect we will all ride in Ricky's Mercury Marquis. The burial will be at Grace Memorial Park in Hitchcock where Mom and Dad are buried.
Alma's casket was made of beautiful medium brown wood and it was covered with a spray of pink roses. She was dressed in an elegant pink suit with a pink silk blouse underneath. She didn't look a day over 70. There was a blown up surgical glove with the words, "Hi Grandma" written in black marker in her casket near her left hand; probably placed there by her grandson, John (the one we bought the temperpedic mattress from).
I met and thoroughly enjoyed 94 year old Thelma Dyess, a name I grew up hearing; a close family friend who arrived in Texas City the same year the Griffins did, 1911. Lee Hancock, one of our claim's to fame, was represented by his Aunt Sara Hancock Warren. She was a dramatic delight with her tales of living with Aunt Irene for one year when she was a teenager and of course her tales of Hollywood. As she was walking off I said, "My name is Sarah, too." She said, "How do spell it?" I said, "With an H." She said, with great drama,"Oh, you've got it all wrong!"
Mike and Pat and their spouses and children were all there as well as prominent business people, such as the Hammonds and the Acrees.
Earlier in the day, Barry and I took some Taco soup to Mike's house and visited with Mike and his son John, briefly. John was happy to receive the soup. He said his wife makes it, too. At the visitation Delois (Pat's wife) complimented the soup. She said she was going to eat some more later. Joan (Mike's wife) said the soup was almost gone. Joan and Mike invited Barry and me to their house for lunch today to help eat all the food that people are bringing to them. Everyone is invited to eat at the church after the funeral.
Ricky is driving in from Fort Worth today. Ronnie requested a ride with us to the funeral. I suspect we will all ride in Ricky's Mercury Marquis. The burial will be at Grace Memorial Park in Hitchcock where Mom and Dad are buried.
