DAY 83: A Sad Week for the St. Joe Community

I captured this photo of St. Joe Church on Mother's Day in 2003. It was just a beautiful day and the church and yard were in perfect condition. This is before all the recent work on the site and before the brand new Community Center was built next door.

I'm thinking of this place tonight because just this past week two very beloved people from the community passed away --- Ricky Spalding and Gertrude Brady.

There was a huge outpouring for both of their families - the kind of thing that seems to happen best in this day and age only in the country, where all the families know one another so very well.

Marion County is still a place where people take time out of busy lives to pay their respects at the funeral home and/or at the church services and burial and the big community meal afterward.

As far as I know, that kind of thing is very rare or just doesn't even exist any more in big cities. I read occasionally of some new "trend" in "convenient mourning" that is taking place elsewhere - for example,  "drive-thru" visitation (don't even have to leave your car - just drive by to view the deceased and punch in a condolence!)

When I see things like that, I realize why so many people who've lived away from here for years wish to come back home to Marion County for their final rest - to a place where people still really do care.

People here still stop what they are doing along the roadways when they realize a funeral procession is passing by. Some pull over to the side of the road. Guys wearing hats take them off and stand silently as a gesture of respect.

Small acts of kindness like that matter A LOT when you are a grieving family member passing by! Those small acts of kindness are so appreciated.

Anyway, this has been a very sad week for the St. Joe Community.

A beautiful, wonderful mother and wife passed away. And a guy who was everyone's friend and also a loving father and husband left, as well.

Both had their "crosses" to bear in the form of long time physical challenges. I am impressed so much with both of them for carrying their crosses valiantly, and most of all for keeping the love going.

Rest in peace, Ricky & Gertrude! You both will be missed very much.

We hope you'll both be pulling for us down here!

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