Sunday, March 2, 2008 - Grandma's Service

Grandma’s memorial service was held at 2 pm at Bedford Valley Bible Church – where she was a member. This is the church that I grew up in (my mom and dad still attend) and I consider my home church. There had been a pancake and sausage breakfast already planned for the day and since that is something Grandma would have LOVED to attend, they carried on with it. Everyone stayed after church, enjoyed a big brunch, then reconvened for the service to begin. A bit different since Grandma desired to be cremated. We had no viewing, no long hours of visitation it was still very emotional for us, of course, but very sweet and personal as well. Amy even sang! I couldn’t believe how well she held it together – wow. Mother had put together a CD of photos from Grandma’s life, that was great for everyone to see her in every stage of her life -- little girl, newly-wed, mother and grandmother.

This portrait was taken in late 198o's of pap and grandma (sorry for the picture of picture)

The flowers were beautiful. Mother and Judy ordered these for around the urn and they were exactly what Grandma would have wanted, classy, clean and with sticks!! She always thought sticks finished off an arrangement!

We had 8 roses representing each of her grandchildren.

Each of us took one and then one was left in honor of Aaron. (If you want this rose, Christina, I will send it to you).
Then the arrangement from the great-grandchildren (18 of them) was full of spring flowers and butterflies.

Sisters! Linda & Judy

Grandma's younger brother Tex from Ohio and sister June (a twin)
from Cumberland, Md. There were 9 children in their family - 4 still living.

Judy's girls - Sara, Shannon & Colleen

Cara was not able to make it in from Florida

Amy with Rebekah (2 wks) and Clarissa (our cousin's wife) with Lauren who is about 9 months.
Rebekah is absolutely gorgeous! I've been anxious to get pictures up on my blog for everyone to see her. So here she is - her debut on Aunt Leah's blog! Those lips are so kissable.

Chris, our cousin's husband, holding Rachel
Aunt Jo, Aunt Eileen, me and Chris
After the service and some visiting we headed back to mother and daddy’s for food and fellowship as a family. There was lots of laughing, kids running around, a screaming baby and a Nascar race on the t.v. - Grandma would have thought this was glorious.
Carole and Mother
Adam, Steve and Daddy solving the world's problems - or trucking who knows!

Jess got a big smooch from Olivia
Sarah & Shannon (can ya tell their sisters?!)
Joel with all the little girls. The one on the far right is Cassidy (Shannon's youngest)
Aunt Judy trying to wake Rebekah to nurse.
All of the kids fought over Rebekah - well, we adults did some fighting too!

The long day was over, we would lay Grandma to rest Monday morning.

Leah