Life, is what happens to.......

Community Revival in the town square...

Marianna and Jamie.....

“Life, is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.” John Lennon,

We in small town America know exactly what John Lennon meant. Here in Edwards, in less then a two week period, we have had three deaths, three funerals, a wedding, two births, a Friendship club meeting, and a community revival in the town square. . And a good number of the citizens of Edwards were in some way or another were effected by all.

The morning of Sunday May 10, Jimmie Lee Fowler and Sonny Montgomery, life long friends and neighbors died within an hour of each other, both funerals were held on Tuesday, Sonny’s in the morning, Jimmie Lee’s in the afternoon. I saw many of Jimmie Lee’s family members that morning at Sonny’s visitation…they had stopped to pay there respects on their way to Jackson to the services for Jimmie Lee.

That afternoon at the graveside service, Montgomerys were there, respectfully honoring Ms. Jimmie Lee’s passing. My friend, Betty Kemp, over on Long wood Drive, last month she diagnosed with acute leukemia, even though dieing herself, mourned the passing of Sonny and Jimmie Lee. Everyday Betty asked about Jimmie Lee and Sonny.

On with the Plans that had been made.

Saturday, May 16 there was a wedding here at the Presbyterian church Marianna Harpole married Jamie Hilbun. Betty’s grandson Andrew Noble was in the wedding, he was there standing with his friends Marianna and Jamie on the biggest day of their lives. Andrew and Marianna grew up together…much of the time on the same block on Jackson street. Andrew went from the wedding reception to his grandmothers bedside…Where Betty was anxious to hear all about the wedding.

Tuesday Kay Turner entertained the Edwards Fellowship Club out to her house, it was a refreshing time, the was sun shining, the birds singing and flowers blooming. Wednesday in the square there was a community revival. Several pastors of Edwards churches, black and white, participated in the revival. I went away filled with hope for the future of Edwards.

Early Thursday morning, surrounded by a loving family, my friend Betty Kemp passed, Betty was able to stay home through out her illness, with help from Hospice her family was able to care for her in final days and hours.

Betty’s memorial service was Saturday, at same Presbyterian church, where just the week before the wedding had been held. In fact for the memorial service, the father of the bride, Dave Harpole with Betty’s son-in-law, Ronnie Noble sang “Victory in Jesus” .

After the service, the ladies of the church served the Kemp family a meal, at the home of Suzanne and Dave Harpole…Where Just a week and a day ago, had been the location of a crawfish boil…the rehearsal dinner before the wedding.

Love to all and call if you need me…

Oh, the two births, Jennifer Stuart, Sonny Montgomery’s daughter, became a grandmother the day Sonny died. Thursday, the day Betty died, Kay and Lewis Montgomery became grandparents again…Victors wife gave birth to a healthy baby girl in Memphis. Life does go on……….

It is also said, that in a small town, “Everybody gets in everybody else’s business“….I feel it my great honor and privilege to live where that is true.