Aunt Beatrice

Today my cousins buried their last parent having lost their father, my Uncle Reid five or so years ago. My Aunt Sister as she was known, interesting how some nicknames stick around forever, was a wonderful woman who could sing like nobody's business. My mom told me gospel legend Shirley Ceasar offered our aunt a lifechanging career opportunity to sing with her. My great aunt turned her down. She and Uncle Reid and their daughters sang at their church, they toured throughout the South singing praises to the Lord.

The last time I spent time with my aunt was when we went home nearly five years ago to attend my great uncle/great great uncle's funeral (my grandma and her aunt married two brothers). Aunt Sister looked at the then seven-month-old Jory and said, "He looks just like Penny Pop." Penny Pop is what her father, my great-grandfather was called by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. My mom and I looked at each other and just smiled. It was/is possible that Jory favors Penny Pop according to our DNA we're all no more than 20th cousins, so...

We took her to lunch a few days after the funeral and even though she was having hearing problems, her mind was still intact. She directed us to the cemetary and showed us where her sister, Eula, was buried, then directed us to her husband's grave with no problems. Still odd to think of cemetaries with street names. She caught us up on life in the family.

I'll always remember the stylish woman who sang beautifully and was always quick to give a hug and a kiss. She is reunited with her beloved husband of over fifty years, her parents, her siblings, including my grandma, and a host of other believing loved ones. Now she is singing her praises to God face to face.


One of these mornings won't be very long
You will look for me and I'll be gone
I'm going to a place where I'll have nothing, nothing to do
But just walk around
Walk around heaven all day

When I get to heaven I'm gonna sing and shout
Nobody will be able to put me out
My mother will be waiting
And my father, too
And we'll just walk around
Walk around heaven all day

Every day will be Sunday, my Lord
Sabbath will have no end
And we'll do nothing but sing and praise Him
Then He'll say well done
And my race, my race will be won
And I'll walk around
Walk around heaven all day