My grandmother, Dottie Elizabeth Parker Lewis, known to my family as Grandma, passed away Wednesday morning, July 27, 2005 in Brownsboro, Texas. My grandmother was 84 years old. My family came together and spent several days down there with my grandfather until the funeral Saturday. Something good oft comes of something bad, and I haven’t had the opportunity to spend the night with my immediate family in the same house in probably over a decade. It was nice to stay up talking and to get up and have breakfast together.

While I haven’t been as close to my grandparents in more recent years as I probably could have or would have preferred to, they’ve always been there for me and my grandmother in particular meant a lot to me growing up. I would visit and stay the night or a few days in summer a lot and have many fond memories with her. My sister Laura sang one of Grandma’s favorite hymns at the funeral service and I gave this eulogy which I wrote:

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My every memory of my grandmother is tinged with love and kindness. She eternally gave a gift of a warm heart and a smile to everyone.

I chose to write this eulogy for her as writing is the only talent with which I have to express my thoughts and my gratitude for everything she did for me. It’s fitting I suppose to give tribute to her by writing this as she loved to write letters to everyone, and she inspired my mind as an aspiring writer with all the stories and fables she would tell me as a child.

On those same visits as a child, Grandma would play a card game called Samba with me. I was so good I always won. That was, until my little brother Tim began joining us in our games and Grandma, I was shocked to discover, let him win. It was only years later I realized that she had done the same with me. Grandma had taught me that in Samba, like life, winning wasn’t everything but rather the experience itself and the people you share it with are what counts.

Over the years I quit playing Samba and forgot the rules. I would think to myself “I ought to get the rules again from Grandma so I can play it with my children, nephews, and grandchildren.” If you recall, Grandma also made a wonderful red velvet cake. Again, I perpetually thought “I ought to get that recipe.” Well, I can still find the rules to Samba, and I can learn to make red velvet cake. But the important thing is I have those memories with Grandma. And there’s no time but the present to do things I feel I ought to do.

So Grandma, on behalf of everyone here, I’d like to say thank you. Thank you for your love, kindness, and many smiles. Family meant so much to you, from the Parker reunions to your genealogy work, it was obvious how important the bonds that connect family and loved ones were to you. From simple things like cake and card games to the big life lessons, you were there for me and for so many other people.

While your lord’s hands gently embrace your loving soul and take you to everlasting peace, each and every one of us will continue to hold your memory close to our hearts.

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Goodbye Grandma