Tribute to my Grandfather

I've always heard you can tell alot about a person by the size of their funeral. That is not necessarily true. You can tell alot about a person by the stories you hear after the person has gone to be with the Lord. I sat and listened to people who knew Papaw yesterday. Oh, the stories! I could go on for hours about what all he has done throughout his life and how he has touched so many peoples' lives.

My grandfather passed away Saturday, November 13th at 2:30am after a 10 year battle with Emphazema & a 3 year battle with Stage 4 Renal Failure.

Papaw was born in 1921. He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945 as a Cpl in the European theater, Belgium and France in the 84th Infantry Divison Company D 335th Infantry. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge. He is a true American Hero and I look up to him and admire all that he has accomplished in his life.

Papaw and Mamaw had been married 65 years when Papaw passed away. They have two children, Margaret & Don. They have 4 grandchildren, Chris (my brother), me, Brandon & Brent (Don's children). He also have 3 great grandchildren, Bryleigh & Tracee (my girls) and Mary Elizabeth (Chris' girl). He also had many nieces, nephews, friends & family who will also truly miss him.

I've always been real close to Papaw & Mamaw, maybe it was because I only lived a hop skip and jump away from their house. All I have to do is walk through the pasture to get to their house. My fondest memory of Papaw will be that the girls & I would visit just about everyday to have Ice Cream Floats. That was our favorite thing to do at Papaw May & Mamaw May May's house. And it was Papaw's favorite thing too. He loved a cup of Ice Cream with "Just a Little" Dr. Pepper in it.

Everytime we would visit their house, Tracee would play in the hallway with the toys & Bryleigh would swing on the tire swing. Everytime we would leave, Bryleigh & Tracee would hug Papaw's neck and say "love you Papaw". Bryleigh is taking Papaw's death pretty good. This is her first experience with Death. So she is full of questions. Tracee is young and she may not remember alot about Papaw but, right now she is asking "where's papaw?". I know she will miss her Ice Cream partner :)

I will never forget how Papaw would sit on his back porch feeding the cats, watching the ducks, squirrels & birds and talking to his best friend, Gage. I know that Papaw is in a much better place. I know he will never have to worry about not being able to breathe there and that he won't have any pain or suffering. I know he is happy because he is able to be reunited with his family and all his loved ones that have gone on before. I know that he is at Peace now. I am so happy to have had the privilege of having him as a grandfather. I have so many wonderful memories of him that I will be able to pass on to my daughters. I will truly miss him. We love you Papaw May and we will never forget you. And we will see you soon!