johndilbeck's Photobucket media

Cornelia and Lee Godfrey Headstone

johndilbeck — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:43:47 MST

Cornelia and Lee Godfrey Headstone - CoalMountainCemetery-1.jpg

My grandmother and grandfather are buried here, just a few feet away from four children who died very young, their oldest boy, Floyd, and their oldest daughter, Mattie Lee.

Mattie Lee and Willie F. Dilbeck Marker

johndilbeck — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:42:08 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Mattie Lee and Willie F. Dilbeck Marker - CoalMountainCemetery-2.jpg

When Dad died in 1991, David arranged for this brass marker for his grave. I don't think I ever saw it, since it was covered during Mom's burial. After Mom was buried, David and Vicki made sure the marker was cleaned and they added the flowers.

Cornelia and Lee Godfrey Headstone

johndilbeck — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:40:23 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Cornelia and Lee Godfrey Headstone - CoalMountainCemetery-3.jpg

My brother, David, and his wife, Vicki, went to the Coal Mountain Cemetery in early December to clean the family plot and leave flowers. They cleaned out the weeds, trimmed the grass where necessary, and made it look much better.

Floyd Godfrey's Grave Marker

johndilbeck — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:38:53 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Floyd Godfrey's Grave Marker - CoalMountainCemetery-4.jpg

This is the marker for Mom's oldest brother's grave. It was a shame to see grass and weeds growing over it. This is a photo of what it looks like after David and Vicki cleaned it.

Stacey Howard at Coal Mountain cemetery

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:47:06 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Stacey Howard at Coal Mountain cemetery - MomBurial-01.jpg

This is my son-in-law, Stacey. We brought two cars down from Murphy and he drove the one I rode in on the way down. It was a clear, but chilly and windy day.

Doug Howard and Courtnie Howard

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:42:08 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Doug Howard and Courtnie Howard - MomBurial-02.jpg

Doug is Stacey's father and (of course) Courtnie's grandfather. Doug did us a huge favor. Mom's pick for someone to preach her funeral didn't work out, because he'd died. Her second pick couldn't come, because his wife recently had a stroke and he was caring for her. Doug volunteered to preach at the funeral and burial and did a good job. Thanks, Doug.

Stacey and Ben, I think

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:37:35 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Stacey and Ben, I think - MomBurial-03.jpg

The people in the photo are pretty much silhouetted by the bright sky, but I think that's Stacey Howard and Ben Anderson. If I'm wrong, please leave a comment and correct me.

Vicki Dilbeck

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:32:39 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Vicki Dilbeck - MomBurial-04.jpg

This is Vicki Dilbeck, my sister-in-law. It's been a long time since I had the pleasure of seeing her and wish we'd had more time to talk.

During the burial ceremony

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:28:20 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

During the burial ceremony - MomBurial-05.jpg

Doug did a good job with the ceremony. It was a sad time for most of my relatives, but I felt much better than I thought I would. Still, it was sad to think I wouldn't see Mom, again. There are too many people to try to identify them from the back.

Doug Howard conducting the ceremony

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:23:07 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Doug Howard conducting the ceremony - MomBurial-06.jpg

Burial Ceremony

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:18:05 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Burial Ceremony - MomBurial-07.jpg

Continuing the ceremony

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:13:59 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Continuing the ceremony - MomBurial-08.jpg

Doug Howard concluding the burial ceremony

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:09:22 MST

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Doug Howard concluding the burial ceremony - MomBurial-09.jpg

Mattie Lee Dilbeck

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:05:00 MST

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Mattie Lee Dilbeck - MomBurial-10.jpg

She lived a long life and worked very hard. She's about to be laid to rest.

Doug Howard

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:00:06 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Doug Howard - MomBurial-11.jpg

Dakota, Ben, Stacey, and Doug

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:55:43 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Dakota, Ben, Stacey, and Doug - MomBurial-12.jpg

Dena, T.J., and Talia

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:51:09 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Dena, T.J., and Talia - MomBurial-13.jpg

This is the first time Dena, T.J., and Talia have seen each other in years. I would try to explain how they're related, but it's complicated. Let's call them cousins, for simplicity. As far as I'm concerned, they're cousins and I'm happy to have Dena as a daughter, T.J. as a nephew, and Talia as a niece. Right at the moment, I'm blocking on Talia's married name, but I think it's Simpson. If I'm wrong, leave a comment and slap my hand. Years ago, I made a conscious decision to be on a first-name basis with everyone I met and worked with. I have a few friends whom I know pretty well and I'm not sure of their last name. I know it's weird, but it's me.

Courtnie and Kathy

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:48:00 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Courtnie and Kathy - MomBurial-14.jpg

The wind was kicking up pretty good and Courtnie and Kathy were trying to talk and stay warm.

John Dilbeck

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:44:03 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

John Dilbeck - MomBurial-15.jpg

I'm trying to talk to everyone for at least a couple of minutes before we all leave to go home. Katie caught me ducking under the tent on my way to another mini-conversation.

John Dilbeck

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:39:03 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

John Dilbeck - MomBurial-16.jpg

Grinning at Kaitlyn, behind the camera.

Mattie Turner

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:35:31 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Mattie Turner - MomBurial-17.jpg

I'm having difficulty being sure because of the lighting of her face, but I think that's Mattie Turner, Mom's first cousin. They are both named after their grandmother.

Dylan, Sam, and Shyan

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:30:55 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Dylan, Sam, and Shyan - MomBurial-18.jpg

That's Dylan Simpson and his sister Shyan Simpson with their uncle Sam Patillo. Again, I think I have everyone's names right, but I'm the same guy who once forgot my wife's name after being married to her for two years. If I'm wrong, correct me, but be gentle.

Talia and Sam

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:27:10 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Talia and Sam - MomBurial-19.jpg

That's Talia (Dylan and Shyan's mom) and Sam, her brother.

Kathy, T.J., and Hazel

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:23:33 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Kathy, T.J., and Hazel - MomBurial-20.jpg

In the foreground is Kathy Anderson. In the midground is T.J.. In the background is Hazel, but I can't tell who she's talking to.

Floyd Godfrey

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:19:36 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Floyd Godfrey - MomBurial-21.jpg

Floyd was the elder of Mom's two brothers (Floyd Godfrey and Jack Godfrey). I saw the grass covering his name and pulled it to uncover his grave marker. In less than a year, Mom lost both brothers and her husband. It was a difficult time for her and the rest of the family.

Mattie Lee Dilbeck

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:09:28 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Mattie Lee Dilbeck - MomBurial-22.jpg

I don't know who reproduced and edited this photo, but he or she did a great job. It originally started as a portrait of Mom and Dad, taken on my birthday in 1989. Someone re-cropped the photo and air-brushed (or used Photoshop) Dad out of the photo. Mom's image was also retouched a bit. I have the original photo of Mom and Dad and David took this one.

One last look

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 07:06:11 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

One last look - MomBurial-23.jpg

Here's one last look before we all left and Mom was buried. She's located next to Dad in the right-front corner of the Coal Mountain cemetery, next to several of the Godfreys, including her Mom and Dad, oldest brother, and four siblings who died very young or at birth.

David Dilbeck and Michael Godfrey

johndilbeck — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:55:09 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

David Dilbeck and Michael Godfrey - MomBurial-24.jpg

That's my brother David in the foreground, getting ready to wrap it up and go home. He put in several hard days helping to make things go smoothly. We didn't get a better picture, but that's our first cousin, Michael Godfrey, in the background. He's Floyd's oldest son and may be the only one of my cousins who remembers my grandmother Cornelia. I didn't get a chance to ask him that, but we did reminisce a bit about holidays at our grandfathers' farm. I remembered a few things that I didn't even know I knew. It was good to see Michael, again.

Katie loves fried chicken

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:24:45 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Katie loves fried chicken - AfterMomFuneral2008-01.jpg

When Katie heard there was fried chicken in the snack room, she didn't let any moss grow under her feet!

Enjoying a post-funeral snack

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:23:17 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Enjoying a post-funeral snack - AfterMomFuneral2008-02.jpg

Tuesday was a busy day and several of us missed lunch and dinner. It was a pleasant surprise when we learned that the funeral home had bought fried chicken for us. In the photo: Dena Howard, Courtnie Howard, Jearold Stiles, and Stacey Howard. Courtnie is my oldest granddaughter and just finished high school; next step, college. Stacey is my son-in-law.

Dakota devouring chicken legs

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:21:47 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Dakota devouring chicken legs - AfterMomFuneral2008-03.jpg

The kids were really going through those chicken legs. I preferred a breast and a thigh, myself. That's Jearold Stiles, Stacey Howard, and Dakota Howard, my grandson.

Kathy Anderson

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:20:19 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Kathy Anderson - AfterMomFuneral2008-04.jpg

Not only did she help with so many other things, but Kathy gave me a ride back and forth to the funeral. I was still feeling dizzy and didn't think it would be safe to drive. I enjoyed spending Thanksgiving Day with Kathy and her husband, Kenneth. I'm a lucky guy to have such a loving family.

John and David

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:19:07 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

John and David - AfterMomFuneral2008-05.jpg

That's John and David taking care of some business before eating. Those are Katie's fingers. I thought "rabbit ears" went on top of people's heads.

John and David

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:17:47 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

John and David - AfterMomFuneral2008-06.jpg

Still taking care of business.

John and David

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:16:21 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

John and David - AfterMomFuneral2008-07.jpg

Even more taking care of business. (See, that really is David.)

John Dilbeck

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:14:59 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

John Dilbeck - AfterMomFuneral2008-08.jpg

Now, it's time for a snack. I hadn't eaten anything since Thursday and wasn't sure if fried chicken was a good idea, but I went for it. Not a great idea, but my tummy settled down around 2:00 am and I got enough sleep for a busy day going to the burial ceremony the next day.

Self-portrait of Kaitlyn Howard

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:13:47 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Self-portrait of Kaitlyn Howard - AfterMomFuneral2008-09.jpg

Katie loves taking photos of everyone, including herself. She was a big help taking photos for me.

Katie mugging for the camera

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:12:36 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Katie mugging for the camera - AfterMomFuneral2008-10.jpg

Another self-portrait of Kaitlyn Howard.

Katie and Kathy

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:11:19 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Katie and Kathy - AfterMomFuneral2008-11.jpg

Another self-portrait. This time, Katie gets a photo of herself getting a kiss from Gran.

Katie absconding with the rest of the chicken

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:10:04 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Katie absconding with the rest of the chicken - AfterMomFuneral2008-12.jpg

While Jearold and Stacey talk in the background, Katie is stealing the food.

A close-up self-portrait of Katie

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:08:48 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

A close-up self-portrait of Katie - AfterMomFuneral2008-13.jpg

It seems to be a family tradition to take photos while sticking our tongues out at the camera. Here's another photo of Katie's tongue.

Sam Patillo

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:07:40 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Sam Patillo - AfterMomFuneral2008-14.jpg

Sam is a nice young man who was vastly entertaining when he was a young boy. Now, he's currently working on his masters degree and will be teaching when he finishes it. He's been working hard at it. Thanks for bringing David up for Mom's birthday and to the funeral, Sam.

Dena checking her phone makes Dakota curious

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:06:28 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Dena checking her phone makes Dakota curious - AfterMomFuneral2008-15.jpg

I'm happy that I don't have a cell phone. On the other hand, we took two cars down to the burial the next day, and cell phones make it easier if you lose sight of each other in traffic. As I enter the next phase of my life, I'll probably be getting a cell phone of my own. Time marches on, things change.

David Dilbeck heading home

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:05:17 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

David Dilbeck heading home - AfterMomFuneral2008-16.jpg

It was a long day and David and Sam were heading out the door and back to Georgia. This is the obligatory tongue photo. Thankfully, they had a nice safe trip back over the mountains.

John Dilbeck - So far, so good

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 08:04:04 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

John Dilbeck - So far, so good - AfterMomFuneral2008-17.jpg

I am not a worrier, but I was nervous all day getting ready for the funeral and writing about Mom on my blog. I still felt pretty bad and I didn't eat anything all day just to be sure. The two pieces of fried chicken tasted great, but it was too much too soon. Still, we made it through the day and got everything done. Thumbs up everyone. Thanks for everything. See you tomorrow at the cemetery. Y'all be safe.

David Dilbeck before funeral

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:57:44 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

David Dilbeck before funeral - MomFuneral2008-03.jpg

David watching a DVD slide show that Dena made from some of our old photos. I was amazed at how well it turned out, considering the poor quality of some of the pics.

Sam and Dena watching the DVD

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:56:51 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Sam and Dena watching the DVD - MomFuneral2008-04.jpg

This was taken in mid-afternoon before the visitation hours.

Mattie Lee Dilbeck

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:55:51 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Mattie Lee Dilbeck - MomFuneral2008-05.jpg

I don't like photos of bodies in coffins, but I thought it was important to take some photos for friends and family who were not able to make it to the funeral.

Mattie Lee Dilbeck

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:54:42 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Mattie Lee Dilbeck - MomFuneral2008-06.jpg

David alone with Mom

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:53:40 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

David alone with Mom - MomFuneral2008-07.jpg

Flowers for Mom

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:52:45 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Flowers for Mom - MomFuneral2008-08.jpg

Flowers from friends and family

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:51:29 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Flowers from friends and family - MomFuneral2008-09.jpg

It would be impossible to over-state how much Mom loved flowers. She rooted them, grew them, picked them, smelled them, enjoyed them, and then dried them. She would have loved the flowers. Thank you.

Mom, photos, and flowers

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:50:10 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Mom, photos, and flowers - MomFuneral2008-10.jpg

Above the coffin is a slide show of pics of Mom that played during the visitation hours. It was a nice touch, and Dena did a good job putting it together.

Mattie Lee Dilbeck

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:48:58 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Mattie Lee Dilbeck - MomFuneral2008-11.jpg

A photo of Mom on her 88th birthday above her body in a coffin, surrounded by beautiful flowers.

Deciding on how to get to the cemetery.

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:47:25 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Deciding on how to get to the cemetery. - MomFuneral2008-12.jpg

Jamie and James Thompson, David Dilbeck, Joe Jefferies, and Dena Howard discussing how best to get from Murphy, NC, to the cemetery in Coal Mountain, GA. Not only did we get there, we were a half-hour early, and that's a minor miracle for some of us. When I taught college I was known by some of my students as "the late Mr. Dilbeck." We were all early, this time.

Kaitlyn Howard and Mom

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:45:48 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Kaitlyn Howard and Mom - MomFuneral2008-13.jpg

This is Katie, my youngest granddaughter, with her great-grandmother. Katie helped sing some of Mom's favorite songs at the funeral and took a lot of the photos from the funeral, after the funeral, and at the burial. She was a huge help to me.

Sam and David during visitation hours

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:44:06 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Sam and David during visitation hours - MomFuneral2008-14.jpg

I don't know why he looks more distinguished as he gets older and I just look more goofy. Sam has grown into a great young man and I've enjoyed visiting with him this month, despite the circumstances.

Kathy Anderson during visitation.

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:42:43 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Kathy Anderson during visitation. - MomFuneral2008-15.jpg

Kathy is my ex-wife, and Mom and Dad both loved her, for good reason. We are great friends and she was very helpful all week, and I appreciate it. I was happy that she and Dena could be with Mom her final evening, especially since I was too sick to do it. Thanks for everything, Kathy!

Dena Howard and John Dilbeck

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:41:10 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Dena Howard and John Dilbeck - MomFuneral2008-16.jpg

I am so happy to have a daughter like Dena; she is a very special person. Dena and Kathy were very helpful this week and I appreciate it greatly. I was still feeling unwell and it really helped to have people taking care of me. As you can see, I don't even own a suit these days.

Mattie Lee Dilbeck

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:39:41 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Mattie Lee Dilbeck - MomFuneral2008-17.jpg

Mattie Lee Dilbeck

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:38:07 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Mattie Lee Dilbeck - MomFuneral2008-18.jpg

Mattie Lee Dilbeck

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:36:31 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Mattie Lee Dilbeck - MomFuneral2008-19.jpg

Flowers for Mom

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:34:57 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Flowers for Mom - MomFuneral2008-20.jpg

Dena Howard before funeral

johndilbeck — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 07:30:38 MST

johndilbeck posted a photo

Dena Howard before funeral - MomFuneral2008-02.jpg

Isn't she beautiful? She's smart, caring, and talented, too.