Family of Raymond Edgar Banks

Yesterday morning, we met in Jacksonville, Florida to celebrate the life of my brother, Ray Banks (age 86) who died on Oct. 2, 2009. The chaplain at Westminster Woods Retirement Center (where Ray and Evelyn had lived since 2001) was in charge of the service which included favorite hymns of Ray ("How Great Thou Art", "In the Garden", and "Spirit Song"), scripture (Ray's favorite was I Cor. 13), and prayers.

My favorite part of the service was the sharing of stories by family and friends of Ray and what he meant to everyone. That particular part showed me AGAIN just how much this man touched the lives of so many people all through the years.

My nephews and nieces had done a great job providing some flowers and also a table filled with special memories about Ray. I will post more pictures later. Today, I share two pictures from the Memorial Service. Above is a picture of Ray and Evelyn's three children (Bob, Carolyn and Steve). (Evelyn died two years ago.) Sorry that the picture is not very good. I should know better than to snap pictures with bright sunshine coming in the windows behind them... Duh!!!! Below is a better picture of the entire family.

Front row: Mary (Steve's wife), me, Carolyn

Second row: George, Bob, Steve, Don (Carolyn's hubby) and Mickey

Ray's children: Steve (wife Mary), Bob (wife Donna --who could not attend), and Carolyn (husband Don); Steve and Mary live in Kingsport, Tennessee; Bob and Donna live in Gaithersburg, Maryland; Carolyn and Don live in Yosemite, California. Besides these three children, Ray and Evelyn had six grandchildren.

My other brother's children: Mickey (wife Betty--who could not attend), and Diane (who could not attend); Mickey and Betty live in St. Augustine, Florida; Diane lives in Georgia now. My other brother (Jimmy) died in 1985. He and Margaret (who died in 2002) had two children and ten grandchildren.

We had a great time together after the service just talking and sharing stories about all of our lives. Funerals can be sad times --but they can also be joyful times when families get together just to share and talk. I'm sure that my brothers, sisters-in-law, and parents were all looking down on us today, and smiling ---knowing that those of us who are left here on earth are keeping their memories alive

God Bless You ALL.

Hugs,

An Autumn Drive through the Mountains

We came home from North Georgia this past Thursday. Our drive home took us through Franklin and Murphy, NC. We then headed back into Tennessee and across the Cherokee National Forest headed toward Tellico Plains, TN. The drive over the mountain was so pretty even though it was still drizzling. I took several pictures through the front windshield (sorry about the glare) --just to show you some of the pretty colors as we drove over that mountain on that winding two-lane road.

We were also surprised to find a gorgeous little waterfall as we headed up that mountain. SO today I will show you a few pictures of that lovely drive on an Autumn day in Tennessee. Above and below are some pictures taken along our way!!! Hope you enjoy them.

This pretty little waterfall is named UNICOI FALLS. It was beside the road and we almost missed it. We had to turn around in order to stop and take pictures. Isn't it pretty????

Another picture of some of the pretty colors along our way

This is the top part of UNICOI FALLS---up close and personal.

Here's one more picture of this pretty mountainous area in Tennessee. I'm sorry that there is a glare --plus some of the dashboard in the pictures, but I don't have time to crop anything today. I hope you enjoyed our little ride anyhow.

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Today, we are in Jacksonville, FL attending a Memorial Service for my brother. Just coming down here has made me 'teary' again.. There's no more family left here --so we may never come back to this area again. It's just very sad although I know in my heart that Ray is in a much better place now. Please say a prayer for Ray's children and grandchildren ---and for George and me today. Thanks!

Hugs,