Wednesday, February 2013

I got up early this morning and made a breakfast casserole and biscuits for our visitors. The casserole is the one I made at Christmas with potatoes, butter, cheese, ham, and eggs.  It is quite tasty. I got the recipe from Marci Coomb's blog.
James and I left for Ramah around 9:15. We stopped for gas in St. Johns. I gave James my credit card to use then I went inside to use the restroom. When I got back in the car I noticed my American Express card, my debit card, drivers license, and Walmart credit card were all missing. I went back in the little convenience store and found them all lying on the ground. Thank goodness there were no other customers.
When we arrived at the church in Ramah the first people we saw were Connie and her family. This is the first time I have seen Connie's husband Cal in almost 25 years.  I had to take a picture.  Also, it was wonderful to see Carmen. We haven't seen her since we went back to visit about 15 years ago.

 Katy, Connie, and baby Grace.

James, Connie, Cal, Tim, and Katy

Laura and Cathi had a nice picture board of George's life set up in the cultural hall. Terry had a beautiful program listing all of George's posterity on the back. Terry also did a power point presentation with music and pictures which was set up during the luncheon.

We all drove out to the Ramah cemetery where the grandsons carried the coffin to the grave site and James dedicated the grave. I am glad I brought my snow boots because there was snow on the ground. I am also grateful that Jared was here with us.

 George made his own coffin.

Here is a list of some of those attending: Alisha and Cindy, Dave, Laura, Jon, and Pat. Cat hi and Terry.  Gail, Erik, and Aaron. James and I and Jared. Rebecca, Brent, Jason, Marin, and baby Ethan, Christina and Scott. Carmen and Dawn. Connie, Cal, Katy, Tim and Tim's baby Grace. All of George's eight children, ten of his thirty five grand children, and two of his fifty six great grand children were there.

 The eight natural children:

Dawn, Connie, Terry, David, James, Gail, Carmen, and Rebecca.

Nine children:

Dawn, Connie, Terry, Dave, Cindy, Gail, James, Carmen, and Rebecca.

Children, spouses, and grandchildren.

Other family members I saw: his three surviving siblings, Delbert, Kay, and Luella.
Aunt Flora, uncle Gene's widow, Lee and Polie, Sherril, Monte from uncle Marion's family. Jeanie and Nelda from  Uncle Leon's family, Dane and Mark from uncle Alden's family, Dianne Richins and her husband, Vivian Nicoll and her son Eli from uncle Almie's family. Eli transported the coffin from Demming to Ramah. Uncle Delbert and his son Neal. There were lots more people there that I didn't know.
It was like a family reunion.  Delbert and Gail spoke at the funeral and James shared some memories at the open mike during the luncheon. I am grateful to be a part of this wonderful family!
Dawn and Carmen rode back with us and spent the night at the cabin. We made chili and cornbread for dinner and then played Five Crowns.