I don't remember the time frame. It was at least a year ago. It may have been two. Sally Jo Gravenor, a dear friend, and the oldest member of Henly Baptist Church asked if I'd share a few brief words at her funeral service. The memorial service took place yesterday afternoon. Disappointingly, I guess you could say, "I'm still in my silent phase." I've had laryngitis for three weeks and cannot talk.
During the week, I did script what I wanted to share with the hope that my voice would return. Since it did not, I asked my good friend, Kevin Karschnik, who was officiating at the service, if he'd share what I'd written. He gladly agreed to do so.
We come today to pay tribute to and honor the memory of Sally Gravenor. It is an honor for me to briefly share three or four things that I valued most about Sally. I know that all of us if provided an opportunity to speak, would have wonderful memories to share. Sally was the kind of person who routinely reached out to others and in the process enriched their lives. That was one of the things I valued about Sally.
Sally was an effective communicator both verbally and in writing. After her children were grown, she invested the time to chronicle her life story. She entitled it, "Sentimental Journey". She identified the script as a legacy to her children, grandchildren, and any great-grandchildren to come. The book also included lots of photographs from years gone by.
Sally thoughtfully provided me with a copy. As I thought of Sally this week, I remembered her writing and re-read what she had written. Her words tugged at my heartstrings. The details she recalled speak volumes of the wonderful heritage and the quality of life that was hers. In addition, she found the process of reflecting on all she had been given as a bonus. It reinforced the love she had been provided.
Sally concluded her writing with a personal note to each of her children. My eyes got as big as saucers when I read: "Cathy, I always loved you best because… Seriously! How could she identify one child as her favorite when she had three other children? I was perplexed and mostly in a panic until I turned to the next three pages and saw she had lovingly and thoughtfully identified each of her children as being the child she loved best.
Sally loved life. She loved her family. She also loved her broader family of faith. In many respects, the two played off of each other. When love is the common denominator, it all blends into a treasure chest of wonderful relationships and hence wonderful memories.
My life and that of my family have been greatly enriched over the years by Sally unselfishly sharing her family with us. There was an openness and acceptance of us that added a special dimension to the relationship. Charles may have initially had some reservations, but the friendship we eventually forged proved to enrich my life greatly. I sensed he felt the same way. Sally and her family treated us like family, and we think of the Gravenor clan as family.
Sally loved the Lord and she was intricately involved in serving Christ in Henly Baptist Church. In fact, from her earliest memories, Henly Baptist Church was woven into the fabric of all that she embraced. Sally and Charles were the first couple to be wed in the church building in 1944. Sally was the oldest living member and the only survivor of those who were present when the church was built in 1939.
I do have one funny memory I want to share. It was Easter 1982 – We had planned a wonderful Easter celebration at church including sharing communion. As it turned out, my grandfather died unexpectedly, and his funeral was on the Saturday before Easter. Consequently, we were out of town.
During the week, Sally stopped by the church. For whatever reason, she looked in the refrigerator. Intuitively, she sensed that the grape juice had fermented, and she did the only responsible thing she could think to do. She poured it out. This was long before there was much of a grocery store in Dripping Springs. The congregation was very surprised on Easter Sunday to discover that one of the elements included in the Lord's Supper tasted a lot like Hawaiian Punch.
Sally was one of the most gifted and talented people I have ever known. J.D. Miller used to laughingly say, "Sally could make a silk purse out of a sow's ear." Not only that, but she could create whatever she designed with such a class, that everyone would want one like it.
I read someone years ago that failure to paint a house is beginning to destroy a city. Sally loved the hill country, and she loved her home. She took great pride in maintaining her home. Over most of the years that we shared, Sally was perpetually involved in updating, painting, decorating, and landscaping. She seemingly had fun in the process. Her home was always a comfortable and welcoming environment.
I continue to marvel at how skilled Sally became as an artist. She and several other ladies from church took art classes. Sally's mastery of oils and canvas was exceptional. Maybe there was something unique about her brush stroke, but something magical happened. We have one of Sally's paintings on display in our home and I think of her each time I see the picture.
In recent years, I have thought of Sally's relationship with her mother many times. Grandma Sally was an absolute delight. Sally did an incredible job of providing all that anyone could do to promote the best quality of life for her mother once Grandma Sally reached the place where she could not safely live independently. I have seen that same level of concern and support extended to Sally by each of her children. That too, fills me with joy.
Across the past 4 ½ decades, Sally and I shared some wonderful times. We also shared some incredibly sad times. I am grateful for the gift of her friendship and love. It withstood the test of time.
Most of what I've shared with you this afternoon, I previously shared with Sally.
[From the Obituary: Sally Jo (Rust) Gravenor peacefully entered her eternal home after a brief illness, surrounded by family, on Friday, March 1, 2024. She was born at home in Henly, Texas July 26, 1927, to parents Joe and Sallie Rust, joining sister Edyth and brother Vernon. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister and brother, her in-laws Charles and Edna Gravenor, and her husband Charles Austin Gravenor, Jr. (d.1989) who she married on July 2, 1944.
Known by many as "Sally Jo" she was recognized for her faith, devotion to family, resourcefulness, strength in hard times and her servant nature. In her 96+ years, she played many roles: wife, mother, grandmother, volunteer, seamstress, rancher, gardener, hairdresser, home decorator, artist, secretary, chef, traveler and friend.
She is survived by her 4 children: Cathy Milner (George), Sandy Gravenor, Bill Gravenor (Tamara) and Diann Gravenor, along with six grandchildren: Josh Gravenor (Jennifer), Matt Kyser (Nicole), Kristin Morrison (Coby), Brittlyn Pohl (Travis), Ryan Bear (Larry), and Kimberly Cabral (Bob). She was blessed by ten great grandchildren: Benjamin and Harrison Gravenor, Brinley and Quinlyn Kyser, Austin and Ian Morrison and, Kennedy, Madison, Brooke and Ava Pohl, along with nieces, nephews and many friends.]
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