My Mother's Passing, January 3, 2007
   
 
 
mothers_passing_02.JPG (702306 bytes) We - Sister Jan, Brother Brian, and myself - were at Mother's bedside when she passed away early on the morning of January 3rd, 2007. Mother would have been 73 years old the next day, January 4th. In her last minute, Mother's face brightened and her eyes opened wide as if she was beholding something magnificent. She looked young and radiant! And then, it was over.

That look of radiance during Mother's final moments was not imagined, and it gave each of us strength over the following days... 
 
Obituary - Gaffney Ledger
(Correction - Place of birth was Cherokee County, SC)
 
 
January 5
Mother was buried on a rainy morning at Sharon Memorial Park in Charlotte. So many loved ones were there. Uncle Fred and Cousin Danny made a difficult drive in from Taylorsville. Just before the short graveside service was to start, as we were gathering under the tent, and just when the weight of it all seemed heaviest, someone touched the back of my arm. I turned around and there stood Rick Barry, my dear old friend from way back at Catawba College. Rick drove down from West Virginia for the service - I had no idea until he touched my arm. Even though my eyes filled with tears, I was lifted by Rick's presence in a way that defies words and will never be forgotten.
 
A service was held afterward at First Baptist Church in downtown Charlotte and everyone agreed that Pastor Mark Harris did a fine job. Tom Billotto played guitar as was Mother's wish, just as he did at Father's service in the same sanctuary in 2004. Outside the main sanctuary a table was set with memories of Mother...
 
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mothers_passing_08.JPG (649599 bytes) Tom Billotto, Tony Billotto, Heidi, and Rick (carrying Tom's guitar) leaving the sanctuary...
 
mothers_passing_10.JPG (814141 bytes) Christie and Pete...
 
mothers_passing_11.JPG (968419 bytes) A look back into the beautiful First Baptist Church sanctuary where Mother's service had taken place...
  
  
    
Everyone gathered back at Strawberry Hill...
 
mothers_passing_13.JPG (773433 bytes) Tom & Heidi... mothers_passing_14.JPG (717914 bytes) Randy and Pete...
 
mothers_passing_15.JPG (768541 bytes) Heidi and Christie... mothers_passing_16.JPG (532317 bytes) Rick Barry...
 
mothers_passing_17.JPG (724113 bytes) Brother Brian, Sister Jan, and Jill... mothers_passing_31.JPG (766660 bytes) Jill and Jill...
 
mothers_passing_18.JPG (663503 bytes) Jan... mothers_passing_29.JPG (750597 bytes) Rick, Jan, Jill...
 
mothers_passing_19.JPG (620766 bytes) Pete, Tony, and Bob Patterson... mothers_passing_20.JPG (699893 bytes) Christie and Greg Sysyn...
 
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mothers_passing_28.JPG (833241 bytes) Rick always loved that mandolin sounding chord at the beginning of Pure Prairie League's "Amie!"
 
   
At Tony Billotto's home...
 
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The walls of Tony Billotto's house are adorned by his own work...
 
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I'm thankful for having had family and good friends to be with on this day...