Mother had been in declining health for several years, but she had a fall on her and Daddy's 68th anniversary, August 9, 2023, that seemed to bring about her final decline. In September, she was put on Hospice care at home. Elizabeth and Emily both went to spend the weekend of September 22-24 with them. They sang a lot of songs and played piano and violin for her. Many loved ones called to tell her how much she meant to them and how much she was loved. The girls knew her time was close, but they had to go back to work. Marlene, Lyndell, and Sharen were spending as much time as possible with her and Daddy, and Marlene was there with Daddy when she breathed her last on the evening of September 26.
I went to work on the 27th and delivered Melissa and Chandler's wedding gift quilt. Then that afternoon GBS graciously let me be off work until after the funeral time. Between then and when we left for Columbia on September 30, I quilted fabric and made a set of placemats for the GBS Homecoming Silent Auction. I was so glad for the opportunity to get this done, because I had hoped to find time to make something to donate.
Regina Stetler and Sherilyn Stroud, our pastors' wives came over and brought us a wreath to remember Mother by. They are such sweet comforters and we felt their prayers and love.
Rowen and I left on Saturday, and drove to Columbia to Daddy's house. Marlene wanted me to go through Mother's closet and decide what to donate and what to do with her clothes. I picked out several outfits that I have been enjoying wearing since we came home. I think everybody that wanted some got to keep something to remind them of Mother, but Rowen did a lot of hauling to Goodwill. We spent time with Daddy and heard stories from long ago. I wish we would've recorded them. We also sorted through craft stuff and odds and ends, pictures, and did some deep cleaning. It was a privilege to have the extra time with Daddy before all the family started arriving on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
On Wednesday that week, Marlene, Sherry, and I went to the funeral home to comb Mother's hair. Marlene had already put it in curlers in advance. When I was a teenager and until I got so busy in nursing school, I had combed Mother's hair in a fancy updo that Aunt Carolyn had taught me. Then I taught Marlene to do it, and she did it for years. I have great memories of all the wonderful talks Mother and I had while I combed her hair so many years ago. That was when so much good advice was given and we shared wonderful fellowship.
It was wonderful to see so many of our family members, all my siblings, and most of the nieces and nephews were able to come for the visitation (October 6) and funeral (October 7).
A sweet picture of my grandson, Josiah
My oldest sister, Brenda, and me
Daddy, Janet, and Brenda
Rebekah Owens (niece) and Emily playing piano and violin, practicing for prelude music
It was so good to be with Emily, for the first time since she moved to Tulsa!
Great-grandpa Rex with Mandylyn and Josiah.
Emily reading to Mandylyn, Josiah, and Drenyn (Sherry's granddaughter)
Emily went to a park with Randy's kids. This shows how her nephews have shot up taller than her!
Jewelyn and her Grandpa Rowen
Rowen and his two oldest grandsons, James and Micah
Janet with cousin, Kyle Smith, whom I hadn't seen for too many years!
Daddy and Brenda as visitation started
Mandylyn and Amanda Lyn (first cousins, once removed)
Emily telling Grandma Scoles good-bye
Elizabeth and Emily with Grandma. One of the quilts Mother had made was folded on her casket. She had cross-stitched a quilt for all of the daughters, daughters-in-law, and the grandchildren!
During the private family time of visitation, several of us told stories and memories of Mother.
Elizabeth and her cousin Tasha Wampler
The funeral service was all family talking and singing.
Tim Wampler, Sherry's husband, sang "Serenaded by Angels."
Lisa Scoles read Proverbs 31:10-31
Brenda, Andrew, and Emily sang revised words of "Each for the Other" and Rebekah did all the piano playing for the funeral. Emily played violin with her for the prelude.
I wrote alternate words for the song, so it fit the situation of Mother and Daddy having lived their lives each for the other and both for the Lord, but Mother having made it to the goal: heaven!
Marlene did her tribute by video: "My Mother was Simply Wonderful"
Lyndell giving his tribute: "Mama Wanda: Lessons from God"
Giving my tribute to Mother "She was there."
Randy giving the closing prayer.
Marlene, Daddy, Janet, Rowen, Lisa, Wesley
Carrying the casket to the gravesite.
Daddy talked at the gravesite, gave some scriptures, and our family all sang, "Is That the Lights of Home I See?" It was a song we always sung as we were coming home from anywhere at night when we were growing up. There were radio station tower lights two blocks away from our house, and when we could see them a few miles away, we started singing that song. It was such a fitting song to end Mother's service. She made it all the way home, and we can see the lights of home beckoning us there too!
Pictures of the family
Wesley's family. We were so glad Blaire and Zane could come.
Wesley's family. We were so glad Blaire and Zane could come.
Because Blaire and Zane had a plane to catch, some of the cousins did not get in this Grandpa and the grandkids picture--namely Elizabeth and Emily were not back from the graveyard yet. Five of the cousins were missing (3 were not able to be there).
Height order with the available grandkids
Randy's family after the funeral
The start of the food line. It's sweet to have Jewelyn and Charissa together on the right side. They have such a good time together when they have a chance.
My sisters and our cousins LaDeana and Sharon
It was so good to be with our girls for a few days!
And to have the time with Daddy.
My niece Ashley made this black and white picture of Mother for me. It was taken probably five years ago, but her love and kindness shine in it.
I am so grateful for the life that my mother lived for Jesus, and that we have the surety of knowing she is with Jesus in heaven, waiting for us to come there too.
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