by Sheila Butcher
I estimated there were about three to four hundred attendees. The
Masons were every where and it was good to see them. It was a solemn occasion with favourite hymns, and the most audible expression of sorrow came from Laurel.
Aunt Irene looked good in the casket, but had gotten very small.
Sylvan stood at the head of the casket, and Uncle Joseph stood at the foot, looking distinguished and patriachal. Tanya sang "His eye is on the sparrow", and my brother Wismore gave the "appreciation" talk. Elrita, Beryl and Rose were in the choir. Aunt Mirry was unable to
attend because of illness. After the burial a small group of the younger
Masons(Osbourne, Stedson, Norman, Prince Charles, Yvette, Feenie,
etc, etc) stood around the grave and sang some of the songs of the old Eastern Melody choir, a Mason's choir which disbanded years ago. The singing lasted for about ten minutes and then they sung their way out of the burial ground. I too joined in the singing. It was nostalgic.
Afterwards there was a gathering I saw a son of Cecils's whom I had
not seen for almost 40 years. Some of Percy's grandchildren were there.(Ma's brother). Uncle Alfred's daughter and son were there. Some of you may remember the Parkinsons who once owned the Bayhouse. Two of them came to the funeral. Aunt Irene once worked for them as domestic help.
Thanks to Rose for decorating the church. The arrangements were
pretty.
Thanks to Elrita, Edna, Aunt Louise, Marva, Cheryl, Florette,
Brenda,Angela and others who prepared the refreshments and all those who served, yours truly included.
The Belmont Funeral Home(Stanley Sealy) did the honours.
No one else would do. Aunt Irene used to solicit work for that company in
her earlier days. I understand that Ricky was allowed to go to the funeral home and view the body but was not allowed to go to the funeral. The others were hoping to see him there, but by the time they arrived, he was gone. He was, however, represented at the funeral by his son, a fine looking young man, 19 years old. Finally, I was glad that Terry, my son, was able to attend. I got the opportunity to point out to him different family members and their connection in the family. He, himself, is enormously interested in the family history.
So "Aunt Irene, good bye. We loved you and we will all miss you. You
are gone, but you will never be forgotten".
May her soul rest in heavenly peace.
Neice