Laying Mom to rest...

Thought I'd share a little about Mama's funeral. I put a link to the songs, Supermarket flowers was the first song that played. If it was called Walmart flowers it would have been more fitting. She loved grabbing her a bouquet when she went to Walmart. Then we had Bro. Wayne Russell read something for us, that I am sharing here. Thank you again Jack for letting us share what you wrote for her on your blog. Then we played Take my hand, precious Lord. (my Grandfather's name was Otis B. but most called him O.B. and what he called her was Johnny, but I made it more feminine. She said that was what he wanted to name her so he just called her that, though I don't know how he would have spelled it.)

Supermarket Flowers

FROM HER CHILDREN:

Mom was born Sybil Jean Anderson in the town of Dixie in Escambia County, Alabama on October 3rd, 1934 to parents O.B. and Hastie Turner Anderson. Most of her family growing up called her Jean or Sybil Jean and to her daddy she was Jonnie. She had five brothers: Curtis “Curt” Anderson, Charles “Pill” Anderson, Lloyd “Mutt” Anderson, Walter Anderson, and Lawson Henry “L.H.” Anderson who passed away when he was very young. And she also had three sisters: Corine Stone, Theresa “Reesy” Ziglar, and Geraldine “Gerl” Adams. She married Grover C. Boyett on December 19th, 1949, and together they had five children: Ronnie Dean Boyett, Carl Edwin Boyett, Terrie Lynn Boyett, Sheila Jean Yarbrough, and Grover Shawn Boyett. From them, she has 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

FROM HER FRIEND JACK DARNELL:

Joan of Arc is a well-known name. She did not live long but established her place in history. At 16 she attempted to join the army and was laughed out of the building. A short time later she tried again and won.

After many weeks/months of meetings it was determined she was in contact with the Saints and led in the battle of Orleans. She had other victories, but was captured by the English and burned at the stake. She was 19. It never pays to kill a hero; her memory was the rallying point of the French in the 100 year war. Did you know her name was Jeanne d’arc?

We here in Bloggersville have had a friend, Jean of OPP. Actually she was Sybil Jean Boyett. She is not famous worldwide like her namesake, but to her family and we here in Blogland, this lady was incredible. Jean’s blog was written exactly as she spoke, using terms I remember growing up.

In her 80s, this lady could do more than most seniors I have known. She could handle a pressure washer. She cut trees to get her cat down. She washed a truck and car at least every week. She cut the grass, chopped what ever had to be chopped, cooked and baked. She also took care of her lifelong love Grover, like a baby during his last years. Never did this lady complain.

Heck she was older than Sherry & I, and once she replaced the main memory in her computer. I wouldn’t attempt that. Her feats are enumerable. Once passing near Opp, Alabama I asked if we could take her and Grover to dinner. They agreed and we had a nice evening. Our one regret was learning later she had a cake at home for us had we accompanied them home, but we hated to impose.

I have related just a few of the things recorded by that lady. Life is a twisting tale, Jeanne d’arc or Joan of Arc was declared a Saint many years after her death. But the Jean of Opp (AKA Sybil Jean Boyett) was declared a Saint while she lived, because she was.

Rest in peace from your many labors, Sybil (Jean) Boyett, your works and creations WILL follow on.

FROM HER GRANDCHILDREN:

Grandma was the magnet that always brought the family together during the summer and at Christmas time, no matter how far away we were from each other. Her house was like a second home to us. She was always ready to make us a grilled cheese sandwich, whether we asked for it or not. She had fun trying to scare us but usually didn’t succeed because she’d crack up laughing. She loved to laugh and would often get so caught up that she would laugh so hard she cried. She would sit in the living room with us playing Yoshi’s Island and Super Mario World on the old Super Nintendo. She’d have us take a break and we’d watch her play through the same level over and over again to get us extra lives so we wouldn’t have to start all over again when we died. She would always swing the controller when she had to jump because she felt like it helped with the momentum. Grandma always tried to pay us for errands and then she’d get mad when we snuck the money back in her purse. It became a sort of game to try to return the money without her finding out until it was too late to give it back to us. She was famous for her biscuits and everyone always looked forward to breakfast at Grandma’s. It was usually already cooking well before any of us woke up. When she gave us hugs, she’d always rub our backs and call us “shug”. 

Grandma was a very kind-hearted and caring person who always made sure we had anything and everything we needed. She’d always laugh at our jokes, even if they weren’t funny, just so we’d feel good. She made everyone feel welcome, whether it was the first time meeting them or the hundredth. Every friend of ours that had the privilege of meeting her loved her. She had a lot of love to go around and was very generous in showing it to everyone around her. She was loved and will be missed more than she could ever imagine.

Take my hand, Precious Lord

A short bit of what Bro. Wayne said:

Most of you here know Ms. Sybil as Mom or Grandmother or Great Grandmother and she's left quite the legacy just with the family. And it sounds like just how she conducted herself in life also left quite a legacy, something you can all be proud of and share in. It's undeniable that a mother's love is one of the greatest gifts that God could ever bless us with and it's very precious to us. We know that Ms. Sybil is special to you and that the loss you feel right now is evidence of her love for you and your love for her. 

He read Ephesians 2 verses 4-7 and explained its meaning and said a prayer. 

The last song we played

When I'm Gone

Thanks for stopping by,

Sheila