Dust to Dust

Everyone knows how wonderful my sister is. My vast readership here at wormlips.com has been lobbying for me to post more of her writings. If she weren’t such a good person, I’d have to hate her. Oh, she’s not perfect, mind you. Her nose turns up at the tip and her nostrils are uneven. Her giant brown eyes — which are not as innocent as they look — are those of a Guernsey. I could go on.

But she did something remarkable for me yesterday. It was the day of Mama Ginna’s funeral. I’d investigated the idea of flying back for it but fares were too high. So I asked Katie to go on my behalf. There were many reasons for her not to: she was scheduled to be with her grandson, she didn’t know Mama Ginna and wouldn’t know a single person there, the drive takes more than an hour each way and KT doesn’t know her way around that part of the state. It was also the day of her own sister-in-law’s funeral.

I had told her that the funeral was at the Ronald McDonald Funeral Home, so she called Information for that number. Since the place was actually called Ronald Meadows, her search was circuitous. Here’s the report I got from KT afterwards.

Subject: Ronald McDonald and his McFuneral

Went to Hinton and managed to find the funeral home.  Buck met me at the door to the chapel and was extremely pleased that an Allison representative was there.  I told him how much you would have liked to be there.  He held onto my hand for quite some time.  I walked past her casket.  She looked somehow full of dignity.  I don’t know how a person can hold themselves with pride when they aren’t alive anymore, but she managed it.  It was a full chapel, with many friends and relatives.  Her niece, Jenny Crockett (?) was the minister and sang a pretty song acapella.  Another relative, who looked like Stevie Wonder, played organ and sang Amazing Grace.  It was a short (45 min.) and touching funeral.  I signed my name but put “Ginna Allison’s Sister” in parentheses. I hate you bigger than the New River.

This is the New River, across the street from the Ronald McDonald Burying Team:

Mama Ginna had asked that a particular poem be read at her funeral. This is it.

Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not here. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am a diamond glint on snow.
I am a gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the
Morning’s hush.
I am the swift, uplifting rush.
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at
Night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry:
I am not here. I did not die.

Obituary: Virginia Wilson Crockett

PENCE SPRINGS — Virginia Wilson Crockett, 98, of Pence Springs, died at 9:24 a.m.,  Monday, December 12, 2011 at the Summers Nursing & Rehabilitation Center following a long illness.

Born October 15, 1913 at Talcott, she was a daughter of the late Isaac Newton and Stella Evans Wilson and had lived most of her life in Talcott-Pence Springs areas.

She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith who was an avid fisherman and enjoyed working puzzles.

Preceded in death by her first husband, Lorenzo P. Crockett and her second husband, Basil G. Crockett; an infant brother and sister; one brother, Calvin Wilson; a grandson, Ricky Haynes; brother in law, A.G. Crockett; sister in law, Thelma Wilson and two nephews, Robbie Hayes and Newton Ray Wilson Jr.

Survived by one daughter, Wilma Robinson and husband Ike of Ames, Iowa; one son, Lorenzo P. “Buck” Crockett Jr. and companion Betty Johnson of Talcott; six granddaughters, Deborah, Renee, Phyllis, Cindy, Denise and Lorenda; 16 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Danese Crockett of Columbus, Ohio and Ada Jackson of Talcott; and one brother, N.R. Wilson Sr. of Riverdale, Md.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, December 17, 2011 at the Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors Chapel with Reverend Jennie Crockett officiating. Burial will follow in the Talcott Cemetery.

Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.

Facts

• Born: October 15, 1913
• Place of Birth: Talcott, WV
• Death: December 12, 2011
• Place of Death: Hilldale, WV
• Occupation: Homemaker
• Hobbies: Fishing and Working Puzzles

Survived by…

• Wilma Robinson, Daughter
• Lorenzo P. “Buck” Crockett Jr., Son
• Deborah, Granddaughter
• Renee, Granddaughter
• Phyllis, Granddaughter
• Cindy, Granddaughter
• Denise, Granddaughter
• Lorenda, Granddaughter
• Danese Crockett, Sister
• Ada Jackson, Sister
• N.R. Wilson Sr., Brother
• Sixteen Great Grandchildren

Preceded by…

• Isaac Newton Wilson, Father
• Stella Evans Wilson, Mother
• Lorenzo P. Crockett, Spouse
• Basil G. Crockett, Spouse
• Calvin Wilson, Brother
• Infant Brother and Sister
• Ricky Haynes, Grandson
• A. G. Crockett, Brother-in-Law
• Thelma Wilson, Sister-in-Law
• Robbie Hayes, Nephew
• Newton Ray Wilson Jr., Nephew