![]() ![]() But, like him, I agree that we need to see what’s on each side of the street and try to do a better job of listening to each other. One thing we need to remember today that he also shared, “There are always two sides to every street.” Like many, I think he struggled with our recent change in leadership. “As long as you’ve got a positive attitude, you can’t go wrong.” Despite challenges in life, I believe in being an optimist and living with gratitude. He admitted that no matter what they’ve gone through, “We don’t ever give up.” He told me that I take after him in that regard. I grew up seeing her as the Angel he saw her. Even in the past few years he said, “She’s always doing something.” He adored her. ![]() He told me about meeting Frances and how she was a young, pretty woman. As they say, “well-behaved women rarely make history.” Just have a good time.” That’s what I’ve tried to do. True to his sense of humor, he said, “Don’t necessarily behave yourself. I asked him one piece of wisdom he’d share. As most of us know, Grandma Frances often answered the phone and played Secretary for him. Last summer, I called and, much to my surprise, he answered the phone himself. He just wanted to hear about what I was learning and my trips. ![]() Some people alluded to the fact that I could find someone to marry there. I’ve made a trek to Washington, D.C., for the past two years, to attend an international conference on poverty and meet with Congressmen. Either you had to dig for them or he just plain entertained you with his nonsense jokes. Though a friendly, sometimes talkative man, he didn’t rush to share some stories. I discovered that my Grandfather was a vault. We were in awe not only his adoration of my Grandma Frances, but also his value of community.įrom time to time, he’d share something that would amaze me. Of course, he was charming, funny, and witty. But, for him, we know you were a treasure.Īs I got older, I got to know you both better. This moment is as much for him as it is for you, Grandma Frances, and all of us. ![]() It is a privilege to honor him and his memory today. I am the fourth of Kermit Riddick Kelley’s 11 grandchildren. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Lindsay Kelley Saunders. The following remarks are what I shared at Main Street United Methodist Church: I made my way to the pulpit and wished he was in the room to hear me share his story and what he meant not only to me, but to so many. This relationship with him and my Grandma Frances led to me speaking this past Friday, February 3rd to deliver his eulogy. Giving a witness statement was a great honor and I was looking forward to this opportunity, but once we arrived and I sat there on the front row with a program in hand that included me as the only one representing the family, my heart raced and my hands shook. L to R: My sister, Molly June Saunders Troutman, Grandma Frances, My Mom, Martha “Marty” Kelley Saunders, My Grandfather, and Me May 26, 2013 Our relationship developed when I made time for frequent calls, letters, and visits. As soon as I made it through high school and set off on my own, I made it a priority to really get to know the old man who lived less than 3 hours from my childhood island and discover the lessons he possessed. As I got older, I developed a special bond with my Grandfather. His mind was still strong and sharp with humor and knowledge, but his body was fading. I was asked to speak at my Grandfather’s funeral - he hadn’t passed yet, but we knew his time was coming. Community was everything to him, just as it is to me. And I had no regrets because I knew he would be proud of me for raising my voice and standing up for the ideals I believed in to contribute to my community and my fellow citizens, much like he did throughout his entire life. to join in and March for All, with the Women’s March to be a part of a historic movement following the election. I wasn’t there that weekend either although I knew it may be his last. He died in the presence of family, but I wasn’t there on that Sunday. On Sunday, January 22, 2017, my Grandfather died just 6 days shy of his 97th birthday. ![]()
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