Farewell Mimi

Mimi’s funeral was today. It was tough, but very good. She lived a life of service to her God, her husband, and her family. I think all in attendance know that now, for sure. We got to hear about many of the behind the scenes things that Mimi did. She never got earthly credit for most of the things she did in life, but she wasn’t worried about that. My mom spoke a tribute from the daughters. Many of Mimi’s characteristics are found in her daughters. Mom gave a wonderful tribute and spoke so clearly about Mimi. It was wonderful to listen to. 

My older brother Josh delivered the tribute from the grandchildren. He is the oldest of all the grandchildren. He spoke with such eloquence about many of the attributes Mimi had that only her family would know about. I’m so thankful those at the service got to hear about her gifts as a grandmother to all her 20 grandchildren. Thank you Josh, I could have never done what you did today for all of us.

I was asked to play an arrangement of “It Is Well With My Soul” on my trombone. I played the same arrangement at Mimi and Big Daddy’s 50th wedding anniversary celebration. Thankfully, I made it through, but I’ve had easier conditions before. I’m hoping I communicated some of the things words can’t explain about my love for Mimi through it.

I went back through some of my image library this evening looking for some more images of Mimi. Here are a few that I found with some of the details mentioned in my brother’s tribute.

Elizabeth Jeanette English Gurganus October 1, 1928 – March 27, 2009

This is Mimi’s house where all of us grandchildren have so many of our memories with Mimi.

This is Mimi’s living room. Josh described much of what is scene in this image during his tribute. Mimi would often sit at the far end of the couch and read her Bible and pray. There was always a small stack of her devotional things next to that spot.

This is Mimi’s kitchen wallpaper. Those of us who knew Mimi, know that this is just her style.

Here is Mimi’s microwave along with her vitamins and tea box. The fridge is on the far right where she kept track of all our birthdays and coming events that we grandchildren were involved in.

Here is Mimi on her sunporch. She loved her sunporch.

Here is Mimi in her basement wrapped up in one of her favorite afghans.

Here is Mimi overcome with emotion at Gracen and Michael’s wedding. She was always so inviting to her grandchildren’s fiances. She knew how to instantly make them feel like a part of the family. They were always welcome in her home.

Mollie recalled today that this is the memory we have of Big Daddy and Mimi together when they were out and about. Even when Mimi had full strength Big Daddy always had a hand on her back helping and escorting her wherever they were going.

Here are a couple shots of Mimi and Big Daddy with Lola on her first birthday. They came over and we had a party along with my Mom and Dad. My mom and Lola (and her other grandmother on Mollie’s side) all share a birthday. So we celebrated Mom and Lola that day with Mimi. Lola had her mother, her grandmother, and her great grandmother there to celebrate number one. This was the last time Mimi came to our house. October 9, 2008.

The two prayer requests the family had were that she would go without a struggle or pain, and that Big Daddy could be at her side holding her hand. Both prayers were answered. Here she is holding his hand at her last visit to our house.

I had several friends come to the funeral today that never knew Mimi. They came for me and I will always be grateful to you all. Your support means so much to me. I’m glad you got to hear a bit about Mimi and the wonderful life she lived. Other friends wrote emails and texts of encouragement. Thank you, as well.

She was an incredible woman.

Mimi, I’ll miss you.

Mimi

My Mom called this morning and told me my Mimi (Grandmother) has gone on to heaven. She’s been getting weaker and weaker over the past couple of weeks. I got to spend several hours with her just a few days ago and she was as peaceful as she could be. My grandfather was up all night sitting by her side and holding her hand. She passed at 6:30 this morning.

Over the past couple of weeks I’ve been thinking a lot about her and what she had done in life. Looking back I realized that she had lived life so well. She was a servant to those she loved and to those she didn’t even know.

Over fifty years ago she got on a boat with her husband and said goodbye to all her loved ones to go be a missionary in Bangladesh. This is way before the internet and email, before you really had any contact with people from the U.S. for four years at a time. It took over a month by ship just to get there. The conditions weren’t always good, but she did it for the people of that nation.

While I was in school I used to go over to her house every weekend and spend the night and relax. She could hardly sit still while I was around. She was always bringing me this snack or a meal or whatever. She used to make me these huge sandwiches. She always had good chips and Fresca in the garage, she loved Fresca. She was a true southern lady that made great sweat tea, and the best green beans I’ve ever had.

I took theses images a little over a year ago. In her final days she struggled with her memory, and these images were taken at the beginning of that period. I’ll cherish these always.

I’ll miss Mimi, but I’m happy for her. In her final days on occasion, when she had the energy to speak, she would say, “I can see the other side of the river.” When I left her for the last time, I told her I loved her and she said, “I love you.” The last thing I said to her was “try to relax.” She can now.