A Farewell to Mamaw

I really wanted to show some photos of my life with my Mamaw that just passed away. But I only have access to my Snapfish photos, and not the awesome photos from the last 30 years. So the recent ones will have to do.

My Mamaw left 8 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She was truly blessed in the family department. She traveled to all of the grandkids' weddings. She made it to every great-grandchild's first birthday, as well as a hospital visit or very close to the birth of each child as she could. She was dedicated, faithful, and set in her ways (no one could stop her when it came to her family). She cooked the best chicken fried steak you've ever had, and always seemed to make the vegetables taste good with the leftover bacon grease and a dash of sugar. She made excellent chocolate chip cookies and the only cherry pie that I ever wanted to eat. She was always at church - in heels, hose, and wearing a slip. She was an encouragement to her church body and pastor. Side note for all the First Woodway clan - Andy Pittman is the pastor at her church and officiated her memorial service. So it was a treat to have a connection to the man who got to give her last farewell.

I loved her, and in return I never heard a harsh word come out of her mouth. Ever. She was a great example of how Christ loves us - unconditionally, unfailing, and always guaranteed. The 8 grandkids and their spouses were the pall bearers for the funeral. As we all laid our roses on her casket, I thought how happy she must be that we were all together. It's been her desire for quite sometime to get all the family together at Christmas. Indirectly, she got her wish this year. With so many great-grandkids, in-laws, work schedules, etc. it is really hard to get the complete group together. Much less find enough rooms to house us. It was as if her final wish was granted.


Here she is smiling at Shane & Kaki's wedding with Charles, Papaw, Karen, & Jennifer.



Aaron, Karen, Mamaw, & Jennifer


She came to my baby shower. Like I said, she never missed a beat. Karen, Mamaw, me, & Mom


Dad with Mamaw meeting Justin in the hospital for the the first time.


My grandparents with us & little Justin


Mamaw was always good about giving hugs




When Justin was 2 1/2 months old we got part of the family together before Thanksgiving. Here is the Smith & Durrett clan


She was great about giving kisses as well. She couldn't pick up chunky monkey Justin, so this visit we would just hand him to her and she would hold him for a bit. Justin loved it.


In April '07 we got every family member (excluding one cousin living in Australia) at our land in Jacksonville. Here's Mamaw & Papaw with the great-grandbabies.


All of the grandkids


Justin's first birthday. they drove in for the day and left afterwards. I was so thankful they could be a part of the special day.


We visited Mamaw this past January for the coldest weekend of the year. It even snowed! So she was trouper helping us find things to do inside that chilly weekend.


Mamaw has a keen way of trying to not look at the camera. I know it's a generational thing, but she truly has a beautiful smile.


Justin with his great-grandparents. Such a treat - most kids never get to meet their great-grandparents.



This was the last time Justin got to hang with Mamaw. This visit was part of our trek across Texas during the hurricane. I am thankful that Ike forced us to go visit her again.


I will always wish I had visited more often. Though Justin may never remember her, I am just thankful to have so many memories of the time that he was able to spend with her! Mamaw, hope you're having a blast with your Maker right now!