Baby in the Big Easy: Gramma Smith

Sadly, Strother's maternal grandmother passed away on Saturday, November 15. Gramma Smith lived on a farm in Mississippi where she loved watching Alabama football, cooking for her family, and reading romance novels. She was married to Harold Smith for over 60 years; they have five children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Strother wrote some wonderful words about his grandmother in an email recently:

We have seen her battle through numerous trips to the ICU during her struggle with congestive heart failure. She had something I don't see very often: determination for life! She was a woman who loved her family, especially Lily. I remember when she saw her for the first time and her face lit up with joy. She touched her little toes, giggled with a loving delight at meeting her 11th great-grandchild. She would look into her blue eyes and call her Lily Liz.

We are so glad that Lily was able to meet her great-grandmother and that we have pictures of them together.

The services were held the following Monday; Gramma's pastor talked about their many conversations about heaven and how Gramma told him that she was ready and even excited to meet The Lord. This was a new revelation for her that was especially comforting to her family.

Strother said in his email:

Once when Sarah and I sat with her, she said, "Whenever he wants me, I'm ready." So I knew she had lived the life she wanted, but I didn't know if she was saved. At the funeral service, the preacher gave us a comforting message. He talked about their meetings together. He would read the Bible to her and he assured us that she had indeed accepted Jesus as her Lord and that her name is written in the Book of Life!

Great to hear!

As usual, funerals are sad events where families come together to mourn. But the "families coming together" part is oddly enjoyable, despite the reason that you are there. Strother's oldest brother Simon came in from Monroe and was able to meet Lily for the first time. Strother's middle brother Jonathan came with his wife Jaime and was also able to meet Lily. Strother's parents enjoyed having all three of their boys together, even if it was for an unfortunate reason and only a short time.