Jean's genes?
This page is (Constantly) Under Construction
I've done this little memorial to my Mom because... well.. it's my website and I can do what I want! ~smiles~
But seriously, when we pass on all we truly leave behind are memories and our legacy. I want my Mother's legacy to live on and this is a small way for me to do that and hopefully to honor her. |
What do the two words "Jean's genes" mean to me? My sister and I have always believed that because we have Jean's genes we can do ANYTHING! When you learn a bit about my Mom, you'll understand our thinking ~smiles~
More to come ;) Letters to Mom...September 19, 2019
Dear Mom, My Facebook profile picture is still the one of 'us'. I just can't seem to change it. Three years later... I still can't change it. When I was driving over to Marian's house, evacuating because of the hurricane, as I was nearly at her house I thought for a moment "need to tell Mom I'm here". Just like I would always contact you and let you know that I was safe at my distant destination. I felt a lump in my throat and told the boys of the thought I just had. Oh, by the way, the other day Cody mentioned he wanted to get a tattoo "For MawMaw" I told him he should wait until he's older. I hate that Christian didn't know you as personally as Cody had. But... I'm sure you know them more personally now than ever. ~smiles~ I miss you so much. Typing those 5 words here still make my eyes well up. ~sighs~ I'm sure you know what's going on in my 'love-life'. Ever changing. I hope to be wiser because of everything. That word "Everything" has a different feel for me since that quick private conversation we had months before your spirit left your body. A new chapter is starting in my life. I hope that I make you proud and I give the boys a strong foundation, life and lessons they need to do well in their own lives. I'm sure you and HP do this already.. but Momma Bear has to say her piece... please watch out for them? I love you and miss you. July 1, 2017 - Nearly a Year
Dear Mom, I can't believe it's been almost a year, to the day, since you've passed. It still seems so... surreal. I really haven't been able to write until now because.. well... it's not easy to do without some tears. I supposed it will always be that way. I'm not complaining. Tears are just love spilling out. I still expect to see a morning text saying "Good morning little girl"... of which i always responded "Good morning mommy" I still hear your voice whispering "I love you". A regret I have is I didn't make more videos of you. Still photography just doesn't do a life justice. Things are going OK, I got my real estate license! Sorta following in your footsteps. I can feel you're proud of me for that. I have lots of things on my house-todo list. I sure wish you were here to help me work on my door frames and advice on painting. I'll figure it out, just as you did, and I can only hope to be half as skilled and able as you were. Ok.. enough for now. I love you, I feel you, and I thank you for loving me through it 'all'. |
The Obituary..
Jean Clay, 83, Surrounded by her loving family, Jean was called home in the early morning hours of Sunday July 17, 2016. She was born in Ashford, WVA, and was a long time resident of Titusville. She was a graduate of Mt. Zion Bible School. During her 54 years in Titusville she worked as a real estate agent for Deforest and Ed Kittles Realty, a property manager and co-owner of numerous properties, she was a popular bartender at ABC, and a Brevard County school bus driver. She taught her daughters by word and deed to be strong and independent women who could accomplish anything. She touched the lives of everyone who knew her. Throughout her life Jean enjoyed landscape oil painting, bowling, shrimping, playing softball, and restoring houses. Jean will be deeply missed by her family, Sue Bailey, loving friend and companion of 48 years, daughters Marian (Charles) Duchesne, Tracy (Tom) Minerva, grandchildren, Scott (Rebecca) Burleson, Cody and Christian Minerva, brother Dean (Peg) Elkins, and numerous nieces and nephews. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Ruby Hawkins, brothers Arnold, Jack and Danny Pat Elkins and her great grandson Michael Burleson. http://www.northbrevardfuneralhome.com/tributes/Jean-Clay Difficult to read at her Eulogy, but true...
((thoughts while posting these two images below.. they are of the sayings I read during her Eulogy))
Mom passed away at a Rehab/Nursing home in Palm Bay. The drive back to Titusville was surreal. That moment when you wished your loved one was relieved of pain is replaced with the possible guilt of that wish. Now, she is gone. She is whole and she has no pain. But.. we wonder.. are they? Will we be? My youngest son made pictures for her that always contained rainbows. He loved them, still does, and a picture of a beautiful one with the family was always by her bed on a wall. No matter what facility she was moved to the picture moved as well. After her passing, on the surreal drive home that warm July morning, there in the sky was a rainbow. Seemingly from the blue, an amazing rainbow. I frantically waved my hand outside of my van pointing to the rainbow, trying to get the attention of the cars following (which contained my Sister and my Aunt). I'd held back the tears for what seemed like months... finally I knew she was ok, we'd all be ok, and she was sending us a sign that was undeniable. To this day, when I'm thinking of her, or if I have moments of doubt about something, I see a rainbow. She told me how much she liked cardinals. It'z amazing how many cardinals I see now. And they aren't in the distance, they are close, like a few-feet-from-me-close. I say "Hi, Mom" and my heart warms. I miss her so, so much. Looking online prior to her funeral I found this and knew that it needed to be read.... Something else that spoke to me.. had to be read...
|