my Grandmama

Mary Joyce Noble Jones
August 15, 1922 - October 3, 2010

So it's been a while since we have posted anything here.

On October 3rd, Ashley's Grandmama passed away. Everyone with whom we spoke said she was "ready." It was hard on the family, especially on Janet, Ashley's aunt, and Chip, Ashley's dad - but knowing that she knew where she was going made it at least a little bit easier. Although I was not surprised, for some reason I just kept thinking to myself - "Wow! If I had half of the conviction that she had. What a human being!" Indeed, she meant a lot to many people. We are just so thankful that she was able to meet Eden, and that Eden grew up at least having met and spent some quality time with her Great Grandmamma.

The service was that weekend (October 7/8), and we got to Jackson on Friday evening. Saturday was a blur, but Ashley did get to say a few words at the service (really a celebration of her Grandmama's life and a celebration of her going back home). Below is what Ashley shared at the service.

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For my 21st birthday, my momma and Grandmama gave me a birthday present that has since then been one of my most cherished possessions. It was this book – “Grandmother Remembers” – maybe you have one as well. Momma gave it to Grandmama so she could fill it out for me. It’s full of her answers about her life growing up, how proud she was of her Chipper and what a great father he was, pictures of my daddy as a baby and riding his horse princess, and lots of other wonderful memories, all written down in Grandmama’s handwriting.

It’s wonderful to think of her filling out this very book and pasting in the photographs. This book has always made the top of my list of things I would grab if I ever had to leave my home in a hurry.

As I began to think about what to share today about my Grandmama, I realized the best thing I could share would be her own thoughts, in her own words.

So, as I read some of what she has written in this book, I hope you will hear your Mary Joyce … or Bootsey … or Aunt Bootsey … or Mama … or Grandmama … speaking to you … … So here are some of her memories in her own words:

I feel very fortunate to have had John and Lora Noble as parents. They met when my dad was bookkeeper for an oil mill. He had to pass my mother’s house every day going to work. Mother’s little sister, Mary would hang on the gate and holler, “Mr. Noble, my sister Lora likes you.” They were married a year later at Barlow Methodist Church where my mother played the organ. When I was born, my two aunts, Mary and Joyce asked if they could name me and my mother said yes.


My father taught me to value love, honesty, respect and fairness. What I loved most about my father was that he was a courageous Christian man … and to him I owe a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. He loved to dance and sing and always had a twinkle in his eyes.


My mother taught me to value family, character, faith, and dependability. Words are inadequate to express my feelings to one so dear. She was the rock on which I stood in times of trouble, pain, joy, laughter, everything that happened.


I met your Grandfather at the store where he worked. I went to buy shoestrings for my basketball shoes. He was nineteen when we met, and our first date was after a basketball game (he came to watch me play). We went to the movies.


I liked him because he was good looking – the new boy in town, and all the girls liked him. He was always smiling and singing.


He said he liked me because I was the girl of his dreams. Every time he came to my house he would sit at the piano and play and sing, “Girl of My Dreams.”


Our courtships lasted two years and five months, and when I told my parents about our engagement they were pleased; they thought he was a nice young man. We were married on April 1, 1942, and I wore a mauve dress with pearls and pearl earrings. My most vivid memory of my wedding day is that due to circumstances with Jay’s job, we eloped. We kept our marriage a secret for about a month.


As a wife I tried to be a friend, a partner, a good cook (although I had to learn how) … a person who generates love, trust and dependability.


I still smile when I think about the time of Chip’s first day of school. He was waiting for the bus with his brother Jay. After the bus left, there was Chip back in the house. He was not going to school. I had to take him to school carrying baby Janet with us. As a mother, I was strict about grades, honesty, friends, and obedience.


Sorting through mementoes of your father, it still amazes me, although he is grown, that he now has children of his own. I thought I could give no other the love and devotion I gave my child. But what a lovely surprise when I became a grandmother.


My wish for the future is that someday you will proceed on your own way, and I can only hope it will be the right one. I hope that someday your grandchild can fill your life with all the love, joy, and happiness that you have given me.


If I have been able to give you some nourishment for heart and soul I will be satisfied.
Most of all, I am proud of who you are.
I love you.
Grandmother

If it made you cry reading it, imagine being there. As would be expected, Ashley delivered it like a pro (that was a redundant sentence). Mary Joyce would certainly have been proud (and for good reason) of her granddaughter.