We celebrated daddy yesterday in a celebration of life service and I wanted to share more about that with you all. I have received an overwhelming amount of comments and support for dad, as you all loved him so much since I’ve shared him and mom over the years. It truly touches my heart that our parents touched so many of you during their later lives on this earth. We loved them as mom and dad for so long and then I shared them with the world. The world needs more people like mom and dad for sure.
There were so many pictures of daddy that we shared and I’m going to share a few with you today.
Mom and Dad’s wedding picture, September 5, 1953.
A young couple embarking on a life of ministry.
Two daughters later. I love this picture of our family at the zoo.
I’ll never forget my mom and dad helping me with my fixer upper house in 2012 and 2013. It was a labor of love and they were with me every step of the way. I couldn’t have done it without them. They were both exceptional parents and I’m so glad they were my mine.
After moving out of their house in October of 2021 to Assisted Living, they did well here for the time they were there. Mom was in Assisted Living and dad in Memory Care. It was a blessing to have this place close by.
We spent many days outside enjoying the rocking chairs and sunshine.
One of my favorite pics of dad in his last year. Even though he had dementia and it was getting worse the last year, he could still pray. His faith was still strong and he often expressed how grateful he was that he could still walk and get around. He was faith filled until the end. He leaves a great legacy with his family and all of those who knew him. Here’s Dad’s obituary that Lauren wrote. She did a great job.
Lauren and I both spoke at Dad’s service (along with Parker and Iris) and it was such a sweet time. We had a lot of church folk that dropped by and it was so good to see them all. Daddy leaves such good memories for so many people and he truly did touch a lot of lives. We were so proud to honor him and his legacy with friends and relatives. He will be so missed, but he’s with mom now and that gives us so much peace.
I hope you enjoy this video of daddy as much as we did. It was a perfect tribute for his life. It’s long, but there were so many good pictures, we couldn’t cut them out. The song is perfection for this great soldier of the Lord.
We also got his celebration service on video, so in case you want to see our tributes, you can watch there or click below.
Rhoda, thank you for sharing. I feel like your parents were my family members. Loved the slideshow and the song so much. Tears, but I know it was a true celebration of a life well lived.
Your video is so lovely. We all love your parents. You’re the luckiest girl in the land, my friend. The memories you have of your parents will sustain you until you see them again.
So touching. The best! rest in peace together, Al and Iris!
God blessed you all with an amazing family! Please don’t stop sharing them with us and keep their spirit of inspiration alive!
Such a beautiful honoring. Thank you for sharing your wonderful photos of your family. Blessings to you.
You were so blessed to have such faith-filled, loving parents. I am glad you have such wonderful memories to carry with you for the rest of your life. Diana
Lauren wrote such a beautiful obituary for your dad. It was just the right length and eloquently summed up his life and everyone he touched.
You will know them by their fruits. What wonderful fruits you all are. God bless
Rhoda, everything was beautiful. I have followed you for many years and feel as if I know your sweet parents. You were fortunate to have them for so long. May God bring comfort to you and your family.
Beautiful tribute to your amazing daddy, honoring your mom and lovely family too! Safely in the arms of Jesus in heaven now….. Love and comfort to you all as they will be greatly missed, but never forgotten!
The video has me in tears! So much love, such a legacy, and heritage these two beautiful souls created. Thank you, thank you for including us in this circle of love! Looking at these pictures, many of which you’ve shared with us over the years, I am struck by how the time went so fast. Our lives go by quickly. We are most blessed if our hope is in heaven, and our trust is in Jesus. Mr. Albert and Mrs. Iris lived long, full, fruitful lives and built a legacy that will follow them to heaven! You shared many happy meals at the kitchen table with them. They taught us all around that table – good conversations, prayers, sharing of scripture – I look forward to meeting them one day and sharing many meals around God’s table! Love to you, friend, and praying for you all.
Hi Lynn, your comment sums it up so well. It felt like it went so fast for us too and I’m so glad I got to share them with the world. They were such beautiful people.
It is so heartwarming to read your words of respect and gratitude (and love) for the parents you had. What a tribute to both your parents and yourself.
A beautiful tribute to your dad. You are so lucky to have so many photos of your parents that will keep their memory alive for many years to come.
Rhoda, thank you for sharing your Mom and Dad with us all these years. You and your sis have honored them well. You brought great joy to them!
A beautiful tribute to your wonderful dad. The song was perfect. Praying the Lord holds you close in this time of loss.
Great parents, Godly parents are truly a blessing from God. What a great tribute to your dad:)
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family. Thank you for sharing such a lovely family!
I so loved the months of posts of you and your dad flipping the house when you moved back to Georgia – all the while he maintained his magnificent vegetable garden. Those will always be some of my favorite memories of you and your family. Sad for you and your family, but great rejoicing in Heaven as another ‘saint’ has returned to the Heavenly Father. Love from the ‘Ham.
Thank you for sharing your parents with those of us who follow your blog. Blessings to your family in your loss.