My mom - she was independent and knew how to be self-sufficient. She was tough when she needed to be, serious about things that mattered to her, and then at times just plain silly along with me. We would then laugh so hard the tears ran. We would tell on ourselves to each other about something dumb we did and laugh some more. She loved things to be neat and clean which I came to appreciate. She was conservative in thought and lifestyle. In the early years of my childhood, we didn’t have a lot but there was always food on the table, and we had clean clothes and a clean house and my brother and I were taught responsibility and hard work. She loved her family from ‘back home in NC’. Our road trips there were a highlight then, and in later years continued to be so for her and Ed. She loved to travel around the country with Ed and visit us in GA. She adored her grandkids and though we lived far apart, she was very close to each of them. She often spoke of how appreciative she was that my husband Tom was so gracious to her when she was visiting us. She adored her little great granddaughter Lilah but unfortunately was unable to be with her. She loved going to ‘camp’. It was built at a tough time in life when my brother died and became a place of respite for her and Ed and us too when we were here visiting. The boys loved to be there with their grandparents. She loved to sew, knit, crochet, play cards, and gamble. To bet against her was a sure way to lose some quarters! She enjoyed the company of friends but her quiet time too. She adored, admired, respected, and truly loved her Knight in Shining Armor, Ed. Her best friend. And the feeling was mutual. Her grandkids felt her love as did me and Ronnie. She loved her nephew and his family and Ed’s family so much. She often talked of her treasured friendships and enjoyed her kind neighbors. She loved gardening and watching the birds come in for food and water. I will dearly miss my Mother. We talked weekly at length. I am blessed to have had her in my life for this long and fortunate that God saw fit to keep her with us until this time. He didn’t take her home while Joshua was ill - I’m so very thankful for that. And I’m grateful that I could be here to hold her hand until her last breath. I love you Mom!