Mark...how are you holding up? Following doctor's orders?
And....where has JOHN been lately??????

Trying Again WIth Susan's Services

I started to write a little info about Susan's services from another source than my at-home computer and, as you can see, didn't get to finish it. The Coots Clan was well represented at the service--of course, Pete, Peg and Johnny, Ray, Amelia and I, Georgie and her son, Chris, Claudette, Georgie's sister; numerous of Hassell's kids, Bergen's kids. Wanda Sue, her daughter, Sherry and brother, Roger, were there as well. Of course, there were lots of people that no one knew.
The services were held @ her church, the Cumberland Missionary Baptist Church with a dinner for the family held at 2:00 p.m.--it's located behind the Crestview Florist, for those of you familiar with the area. All of Susan's girls, Judy, Libby, Karen and Betsy, were already there with their families. Susan was laid out in her finest dress near the altar in the front surrounded by beautiful flowers, windchimes, memorial throws on display, from well wishers, friends and relatives. The Coots arrangement was spectacular in red and yellow (thank you, Mike). There was a short visitation for community and other friends. They played some of her favorite music as well as a slide show of pictures from Susan's life as a child, young woman, a mom and grandma. She was an inspiring influence according to the many that I spoke with and whose lives she touched. The most common comment was "they always left her presence with a bigger smile than when they arrived." The actual funeral service with her pastor, Reverend Dennis Williams, presiding, was typical Southern Baptist fare and spoke warmly of her, sharing a story when he had not preached and they had guess speakers for her past couple visits and she approached him and asked, "just what are they payin' you for?" The other people from her church that visited her commented much about her sense of humor as well as her inspiration for THEIR faith as they spent time with her.
Tuesday morning, we met at the Tri County Funeral Home in Benham and followed her on the final journey across Black Mountain. The morning was rainy, cold--fitting I suppose, since many were in tears blending in with the rain. As we approached the mountain summit, the trees were cleared for just a little bit and the mountains on the other side of the valley appeared, the bluest blue, with just a hint of the sun breaking above them. The picture is of that while we're wizzing along the curvy mountain roads--was taken with my camera phone so it REALLY doesn't do it justice AT ALL! It was breathtaking!!
We ascended the mountain, through Big Stone Gap and to the Powell Valley Memory Garden where she was laid to rest next to Burt. I had always heard her say that she would find Burt in Heaven and slap him for leaving her alone for so long. The graveside services were short and sweet with the 23rd Psalm being read. We all said our goodbyes and headed for home.
There is talk of attempting to get a reunion together for next summer at some point. Pete and I discussed at least trying to get our "mini-tribal" gathering together for early summer and stay at the Martin home (who have been so kind to share their hospitality with us). We can do our visits as we would when we would take Susan along and perhaps take the trek for those of you who didn't get to attend to see her final resting place.
Personally, I had only gotten to be with Susan a few times over the past several years. I always looked forward to it; always hated to leave not just her but the rest of you too. She was someone I consider to be a real inspiration to me in my own piddly little struggles. She was always very encouraging to me when it came to Amelia, saying to place her in the Lord's hands when it's too much for me to handle. It's His job, not mine. She took the time to write to her when she was both at Oneida Baptist and Midwestern Children's Village. I only know a little about her and feel lucky to have been able to learn about her life and be a part of it. How lucky you all were to have had her ALL your lives.
So that's all I have to say about that. Love to you all.