Many times we attend the funeral of an older person without really knowing who they were. Some of us may have known them when they were young, others may have known them when they were “middle aged” while some only met them as they lived out their retirement.
My Grandfather was born in Walker County Georgia in 1919. During his lifetime the world changed so much. The population of our country went from 106 million people to over 305 million. The culture went from being primarily agricultural to what we know today. He had to adapt to technology like telephones, airplanes, cars, computers….
During his childhood the average American farm family had a cash income of between $200. and $400. per year. By the year 1939 many families didn’t have any income at all. Life was hard, but these strong families never gave up.
Grandad’s mother was a school teacher and saw the value of an education. She encouraged him to finish High School. He worked hard, graduated 2nd in his class and was offered a college scholarship, but He chose to join the Civilian Conservation Corp and was assigned to work at Crater Lake National Park in Oregon. This program was designed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to help stimulate the economy and rebuild our nation. Grandad took this job seriously and from then on was a Roosevelt Democrat.
Grandad served our country in World War II, he was gone for 4 1/2 years and was among the troops who saw their fellow soldiers raise the flag at Iwo Jima.
When he came back home, he met my Grandmother and 6 weeks later, they got married. They were married for 63 amazing years and had one child, my father. He knew that marriage was the hardest job he would ever have, and worked hard every day. I think he got it right.
Grandad worked for 43 years at Franklin Processing Co. He started out sweeping floors and when he retired he was the Assistant Plant Manager. For many years after retirement, he was still called upon as a consultant.
I, of course didn’t know him during this time period. I do want to share with you a little bit about the man that I did know.
When I was a little girl my Grandparents lived in Greenville, SC. They would make it home to Rossville, GA as often as possible to have Sunday dinner at my Great Grandparents house. The effort involved in this seemingly small activity taught me a love and value for my family.
As children Jamie and I often went to visit them in South Carolina and — after they retired — in Mentone, Al. So many of my childhood memories are from the times that I spent with them. As a child, I loved him simply because he was my Grandad.
He worked hard to make our visits fun. I can remember “painting” his old blue truck with water everyday for a couple weeks. He never seemed to get tired of filling up our buckets or “washing out” our paint brushes. He taught me to work in the garden and build squash hills. I can remember helping him in the yard.
Over the years, I started watching him. I saw that people in his church came to him when they had problems or just needed a sounding board. I watched him as he listened and never judged… no matter what he was told. Grandad would tell them his opinion even if it wasn’t what they wanted to hear and then lovingly support them in their choices. He taught me that we are first to love people, then we are to pray with them and for them. It is never our place to judge or criticize.
Through the years I have made my share of mistakes and bad choices. My Grandfather was always there with outstretched arms for support. Sometimes he told me that I needed a swift kick in the rear… but he always loved me. I always knew that no matter what mistake I made, he would be there for me.
When I was in high school, I wasn’t the best student but my Grandfather always encouraged me to do my best and that as long as I did, that was good enough. He also taught me that everyone isn’t good at the same things. We just have to keep searching until we find our place, mine was in music.
My daughter Katheryn was born when I was a junior in college. Most people would have had to stop going to school and be a mommy. I went and talked to my Grandparents before I decided what to do. They agreed completely that they would do whatever they could to help me complete my education. When Katheryn was 3 weeks old I started back to school. From that day until I graduated 18 months later my Grandparents did what might be unthinkable to some people. Every Wednesday night they left Mentone, Alabama and came to stay with my parents. They watched the baby every Thursday and Friday so I could go to school. Without their help, I never could have graduated.
I wasn’t the only person to benefit from this arrangement. The relationship that developed between them and my daughter is one that most Great Grandparents would envy.
Almost ten years ago, my parents were involved in a motorcycle accident. After they were released from the hospital my Grandparents closed up their home and moved in with my parents for several months to help take care of my parents. When Grandad was growing up, the women were the primary caregiver… but I think that someone forgot to tell this to him. He rolled up his sleeves and did whatever was needed of him. He always chose the worst tasks for himself so that the rest of us didn’t have to do them.
Through the years I have watched him play with my children. Watching I knew how lucky they were. It was not uncommon to find Grandad in the floor paying Old Maid with my children or watching Barney. He was always willing to meet any of us where ever we were.
The last few years were a trial for him. His body started to betray him first with Parkinson’s Disease and then with the tumor that finally ended his life. I never one time heard an angry word from him. He would just smile and tell me that he’d had an amazing life. Everyone here today helped to make that life special to him. I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to each of you for loving him.
Posted by Julie Beavers 
Posted by Julie Beavers 
Posted by Julie Beavers 