Douglas and I said goodbye to his mother, Margaret Ann Warren Williams, this weekend. Grandmommie, as we called her, was born May 14, 1916 and passed away January 12, 2011. She was 94 years old. Family members came from far and near to pay their final respects to this Godly woman. I requested a family picture be made and everyone was gracious to oblige me. Even with the large number present there were three family members unable to attend. Don, Doug's older brother, was in the hospital in Nashville. Jessica Dragonetti, granddaughter, is teaching in Turkey on a Fulbright Scholarship. Wyatt Williams, grandson, is serving in the U.S. Air Force in Washington State. His wife, Julie, and son Fischer, are with him.
Looking over the picture we think of a few who were not in the picture for some reason. This was made right before we said our final goodbyes to Grandmommie and went into the chapel for her service.
Looking over the picture we think of a few who were not in the picture for some reason. This was made right before we said our final goodbyes to Grandmommie and went into the chapel for her service.
The outpouring of love from family and friends was wonderful. The McMinnville Funeral Home couldn't have been nicer. Grandmommie's visitation began with the family at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15, and lasted until 8:00 p.m. The funeral home in McMinnville, TN, allows people to bring food so the family can eat at any time. It seemed from the very beginning people started bringing food and it continued until right before the actual service on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. Being from the deep South I was not accustomed to this practice but found it very nice. Different people obviously were assigned the duty of keeping a check on the food and putting it away when needed. One might think this would require a large room but it did not. An island in the center held some food and the shelves on the walls held other food and paper items. I wish I had made a picture of it, but did not. How do you thank people for their kindnesses in times such as this?
The grandchildren served as pall bearers. No doubt it will be a long time before this group of first cousins will be together again.
The service was conducted by Lynwood Mathis, a beloved family friend and Jerry Davidson, son-in-law. Congregational songs were directed by Mark and Art Williams, grandsons. David Williams, grandson, read Revelation 21:1-5 and Michael Gary, grandson, read a beautiful poem as a tribute. Douglas Williams, oldest child present and my husband, felt compelled to share some thoughts and did so at the end of the beautiful service. Brandon Potter, great-grand-son-in-law, videotaped the service. Art Williams recorded the audio.
Snow was on the ground as the family walked to the graveside service. Grandmommie loved the beautiful snow and would have approved of everything about her service. She has done all things well. Even though our hearts are breaking because of our loss, we rejoice in knowing that as David of long ago said, "I can't bring my son back, but I can go to him." We look forward to being reunited one sweet day.
I was the first daughter-in-law in the family. I have loved Doug's mother for many years. I will say once more that I couldn't have looked the world over and found a more wonderful husband or mother-in-law. God has blessed me richly and I thank Him.
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