James Thomas

George has written about his special other-grandfather friend James Thomas, who last night bade farewell and joined George after a heroic fight against cancer . . .They both have treasured the blessings of their granddaughters, and Carly and Peyton have been blessed with the presence of these special men in their lives. Every school event of the girls has found those two beaming, loving men basking in the joy of their granddaughters, with James' grandson Brayden sharing in the glow. The comradeship begin in the nursery when the girls, born in December four days apart, were six months old. We found several more 'alikes' with Sandra and James. . .couples married the same year, both having daughters who are special friends . . .It is a most special bond, and Cam, Tim, Carly, and I are praying for Sandra, Ann, Michael, Peyton and Brayden. I'll cherish the memory of James making the effort to attend the services for George. What a special, dear man. Loving thoughts. . .

I'm Probably Keeping It

I'm keeping the egg carton, pretty sure of it. I'll be a lackluster Mrs. H., of this there is no doubt, as my friend Sushi would say. Lovely notes of love and support have come to the Kelly and Chennault household, through snail and e mail . . .treasure them all. Much better than cartons and parcels to keep. Messages have been sent through the computer avenues, from Holland Funeral Directors and newspaper guest books. A note came from Jerolene Westmoreland in Tupelo who has her 87th birthday July 29. She expressed sorrow at not having a chance to attend the service for George. Her father and George's father Candler were first cousins, and somehow when George picked up medicine for his mother, Ms Vera, several years ago he discovered that the lady behind the counter was kin. Prayer-grams from members of Old Union Baptist Church in Shannon and notes from Plantersville-day schoolmates have assured us of special thoughts. Thanks to George's grammar-school girlfriend for bringing a smile to my face and to June Harris for her memories. George and Orren Lax taught together at Northwest, and the joy of friendships over the years is so special, so glad we've always been in touch. Orren immediately initiated efforts to begin a scholarship at Hinds Community College in memory of George, a truly wonderful idea. A number have donated to the Hinds Foundation as well as other worthy tributes, such as Baptist Children's Village, Blair Batson Hospital, and the Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians education fund. Words cannot cover the appreciation we feel, and I know George appreciates and is honored by them all.

The Last Egg

George knew all too well my sentimental side, had mentioned it in the first few words of his special letter to me. I thought about that as I opened the refrigerator to get an egg to boil for tuna fish (he made our tuna fish, did not use egg, so I thought I'd move into new ground and make tuna with egg, adding pickles, apple, mayonnaise. . .the usual). He also bought the groceries. As I looked into the refrigerator at the egg carton, I thought, "George bought this, he bought the pickles, and if I'm not careful, I'm going to be a character right out of Charles Dickens, hanging onto the past through things. . . Here I'll be with cartons, jars, and the like because George selected them, brought them home to us." I must not be a Mrs. Haversham; George has left us with many wonderful memories of his humor, his faith, his love, his philosophy--so much more deserving than pantry or refrigerator items. Remembering him, cherishing his personality and taking care of his books are much more kindred memorial ways. Besides, one quick visit from Melissa Pettit can take care of sentimentality gone crazy with egg cartons and jars. . .

One Week +

So many touching, special thoughts and acts of kindness have come this family's way in past days. Thanks to all. Calls from those who have experienced this type of loss and the sweetest notes have come from friends at the office, from family, from the church family, from the community, from Hinds Community College, from Plantersville, Senatobia, Gulf Shores, Tennessee, Texas, Connecticut, Ocean Springs, Tupelo, Pontotoc, Cleveland, from the offices and churches of Cam, Tim, and Margaret. All represent much needed and very much appreciated support.
George said in his final note to me, "I know how sentimental you are but I wanted you to be happy while we were together. . . " (Was there an underlying fact or just an awareness of possibility expressed here, I don't know.) Yes, I am very sentimental, so sentimental that I think my brain just blocked out the fact that yesterday was the one-week anniversary of this most devastating time. It finally hit me late last night: Tuesday, two weeks ago from the episode, one week ago, the surgery . . .Cam was so aware and was, of course, very upset, and we had talked, but I had just kind of rambled through the day. My friend Janice, who has a 'first-hand' knowledge, came over to visit around six, for us to talk and to eat together. As she asked questions, and I had the privilege of sharing the history of George's and my meeting in the '60s, a time frame jumped out at us that I had not realized. He and I had driven to Memphis in July 1965, I think it was actually July 5, and this action brought us together to stay after we had experienced several chance meetings. And then the final day: July 5, 2011. Yes, I admit to being sentimental about dates, about coincidences, or perhaps about the awareness of "This was all a plan."

Final Chick-fil-A Day

From Carole: I always have to look up the spelling of the Monday morning meeting place for George and Jerry. Unless an appointment or some other event came up to interfere with their meeting, they gathered to eat breakfast and discuss. . .everything, as near as I could understand it. I think Margaret, Jerry's wife, and I both have looked at these meetings with smiles and joy at their enjoyment, their routine. . .their adorable, inquisitive, intellectual qualities. Jerry and George both have the Tupelo and Tupelo High School roots, as do I. Different classes, but same teachers and contacts, although they first officially met in 1975 when Jerry as head of the Hinds English Department hired George and here we came to the capital city area. One of George and my prize memories is his serving as Jerry's best man at his and Margaret's lovely wedding in 1985. (I took 'pitchers.') Then they capably handled video at Cam and Tim's wedding in 1999, for which we are ever grateful.
This past Monday Jerry was going to Chick-fil-A for a final 'meeting.'

"Sing No Sad Songs . . ." George Mentioned in February

Christine Rossetti:
When I am dead, my dearest,
Sing no sad songs for me ;
Plant thou no roses at my head,
Nor shady cypress tree :
Be the green grass above me
With showers and dewdrops wet ;
And if thou wilt, remember,
And if thou wilt, forget.

I shall not see the shadows,
I shall not feel the rain;
I shall not hear the nightingale
Sing on, as if in pain;
And dreaming through the twilight
That doth not rise nor set,
Haply I may remember,
And haply may forget. Christina Rossetti

After the final service for George Friday, July 8, I discovered a sentence I had jotted down in my little blue book earlier in the year during the time of my mother's death and services: ' "Sing No Sad Songs for Me" George's preference for service reading'. . .(a few words in shorthand). I use it here on his "P. C." Plantersville Connection" because in the suddenness of what has happened, I did not remember the conversation or note. So I plant it here, on his site.
Four ministers presided over the Clinton First Baptist Church service ever so beautifully Thursday, July 7, Dr. John Compton and the Rev. Ramey Hankins, First Baptist; the Rev. Paul Sims of Pontotoc, our cousin; and Dr. B. J. Bennett of Ridgeland First Baptist, Cam's pastor. Special music included the wonderful presentation of "How Great Thou Art" by the Rev. Bill and Martha Bacon. At the Plantersville Cemetery site, Cousin Tip presided ever so graciously, our family spokesman, remembering George's specialness and delivering the vital spiritual message.
Later at the home of Margaret, my sister, I opened Mother's Bible and found a booklet entitled "Joy" that included a poem "After Glow" by Carol Mirkel . . . "I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways. Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun Of happy memories that I leave When life is done."
As one blogger suggested, violation of any copyright is unintended, and I know George was always so careful about that in his writings, ever respectful of other's work and the use thereof. But here it is, his preference and the special little poem-thought that fell from Mother's Bible right into my hands, then followed by my reading of past notes earlier in the year. It was very much like a message . . .As I said, the celebration services were handled beautifully by our ministers (I can hear George saying, 'Four ministers, Carole?') He deserved it, with each of those dear men bringing to the time different, special messages. Former First Baptist minister Dr. Russell McIntire served as the honorary captain of pallbearers and led the family prayer prior to the service; pallbearers were Jerry Carr, Alec Valentine, Willie Greer, Andrew King, Randall Teasley, Presley Pettit, David Sellers, Trey Sellers, and Jerry Broome. Retired missionary to Brazil, Dr. Raymond Kolb, a special friend of George's, honored the family by sitting with them in the services in the old sanctuary. "Narrow but difficult": what days we face ahead. It's difficult to attempt a smile while trying to realize what has happened in a twinkling (we had planned to have George home from hospital for recovery Sunday or Monday). But then something will happen, a thought will occur--and I smile.
Fine food, lovely plants and flowers, and wonderful cards with dear notes and messages, the presence of so many friends at the services . . .Cam, Tim, Carly and I can never say 'thank you' in enough different languages, (not that we speak in different languages), but heartfelt gratitude for all expressions of love and support.
George's cousins, his Plantersville connections he loved dearly, some of our Tupelo High classmates, and friends from Senatobia, from Northwest Community College days, Barbara and John Osier, were there in the steamingly hot cemetery Friday for the final service. Other Northwest friends Susanna and Orren Lax, now in Gulf Shores, who had seen George in Orange Beach the day of his episode/event, whatever the best/worst word is, made the long drive to Clinton for services, so it worked out to have them at each service.
One thing I know displeased George. . .I was a few minutes late for that service, and a top peeve of his was tardiness . . .So sorry, Boochie, and to all . . . I'll try to be better.
Holland Funeral Directors, Steve, Sadie, Rodney, were there to handle every little detail perfectly. I love Steve's instruction, both at Mother's and at George's, probably at others, as attendees hesitate to sit in the chairs arranged at the site: "Come over here and sit down in these seats, George paid enough for them!"

From Carole: Farewell to George until . . .

With deepest sorrow and tears falling, it falls to me to report that George Morris Kelly failed to emerge from heart surgery Tuesday, July 5, to enter the recovery stage we had so counted upon. The dearest husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother-in-law and uncle is mourned by me, his wife Carole, daughter Cam, granddaughter Carly, son-in-law Tim, sister-in-law Margaret, and nephew Marshall. Although we cherish the thought of eternal life, with someone like George, our days with him, so very special, are difficult to give up. We have been shown very vividly in the past four days that many more dear persons cherished him, realized his absolutely wonderful qualities, and enjoyed his various contributions, including the delightful "Plantersville Connection." I cannot help but smile and wipe away the tears writing those words. Services at First Baptist Church in Clinton Thursday, July 7, and then the journey on to Plantersville for the final service were very special, just wonderful comments, memories, encouragement, and love shown. For all who came to the services, called, sent word, shared food, have sent cards--we just will never be able to properly show our gratitude for every expression of sympathy. I must say that George would not be amused at the intense heat of the day in Plantersville--cold weather man--much too hot for all, but, oh, how we appreciate every presence. Steve Holland and Holland Funeral Directors coordinated every detail with the utmost competence, love and diligence. All prayers for us are asked for, claimed, appreciated . . .