Family Honor: Mona Beckner's Celebration of Life, on 1-22-2022, at Age 100 (published 1-23-2022; article #293)

Introduction

Six days ago, I published my second that day, which was the day before my wife's paternal aunt, Mona Beckner, enjoyed her 100th birthday. See Mona Beckner Will Be 100 Tomorrow, on 1-18-2022 (published 1-17-2022; article #292).

This article continues the theme of family honor and heritage. We should honor our elders. Do younger folks understand? I hope so. I am trying to educate them.

Mona Beckner was Twice Honored

First, on Tuesday, 1/18/2022, Aunt Mona celebrated her 100th birthday at home. She is the elder sister of my father-in-law. That day, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman had a “snow day” off from work. I worked from home. As a side note, I set the mailbox flag up, so that the postman would take the postal letters that I'd placed there to pay the 2021 property taxes for here and the homeplace. The weather was cool and cloudy. The snow from the day before, mentioned in my first article from 1/17/2022, was melting.

Aunt Mona, her son, her brother, my wife, “favorite” sister-in-law, her daughter, and I were gathered at the Beckner homeplace. Finally, after various delays, we had supper together. I was honored to lead the prayer before supper. Joking, I told Aunt Mona that I'd never known anyone 100 years old until that day. She enjoyed the humor. Various points of conversation were mostly in honor of Aunt Mona, aside from a few about life's trivialities. Aunt Mona was honored. I wish that someone or I had taken photographs. The memories are in our minds and written here.

The second honor was on Saturday, 1/22/2022. Aunt Mona was honored by family members, friends, and her church family at City View Baptist Church. I'll set the context first and then present the twelve photographs that I took.

Context

For work, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman had a two-hour “snow” delay on Wednesday, 1/19/2022. For the next two days, Thursday and Friday, the school system where her sister and she teach was closed due to illness. During those two days, my wife, “favorite” sister-in-law, and her daughter, along with other folks, spent countless hours, preparing vittles, displays, and decorating the church fellowship hall. As usual, I worked from home on Tuesday and Wednesday and at the office on Thursday and Friday.

On Saturday, 1/22/2022, my wife left for the church building about 7:30 AM to finish the fixings. Aunt Mona's celebration was held from 1 PM to 4 PM. Arriving at 1 PM, I stayed until just after 4 PM. My “bionic” right foot endured the hard surfaces better than I thought it would, but it still paid for all the walking. My wife returned home about 6:50 PM. Molly, our ol' puppy, was wondering where she was.

Several family members, friends, and church members arrived at various times. The fellowship hall was often filled with guests. Aunt Mona seemed to enjoy the day very well. That was the main goal, to honor her.

Twelve Photographs

 

The above photograph is of the City View Baptist Church building, taken upon my arrival. We were all glad that the cloudy and dreary weather had finally turned sunny. The temperature was crisp and cool, not cold.

The above image shows Aunt Mona talking with the younger sister of my mother-in-law, Phyllis Ann House Gordon, who went home on 4/30/2017.

The next six photographs are of the display tables. The displays honored Aunt Mona's unpublished writings, photographs, poems, and art.

 

The next two photographs are of the food. A man needs to eat a bite, as you know. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman made the two white cakes that are on the cake stands. Years ago, my mother, Betty Lou Wood Ferrell (11/24/1932 - 12/27/2000), made the wedding cake for our wedding on 5/16/1986. Mom helped teach my wife how to make decorative cakes.

I wish that our dear friend, who owns KJ Cookies, could have made the decorative cookies, but she was booked up at the time. Her husband and she are fine Christian folks, and they are in our daily prayers.

Don't worry! The fruit was labeled “fruit.” The vegetables were labeled “vegetables.” One fruit tray had cheese in it, which is not a vegetable! I joked that it was false advertising! We had some fun. How many folks couldn't figure out what the fruits and vegetables were without those labels?

I took the final two photographs, just before I had to leave. I needed to rest my “bionic” foot at home. Both are of family members and church members, gathered around and talking with Aunt Mona.

 

Was that twelve photographs? I think that I lost count!

Conclusion

Well, Aunt Mona hasn't lost count of her years. Her mind, eyes, and spirit are still vibrant, as I told her before leaving to return home. She can't get around like she used to do. A wheelchair and rolling walker help.

The Good Lord expects each generation to honor the generations that came before it. Aunt Mona's son honored his father and still honors his mother. His father, Aunt Mona's husband, passed away in early 2001.

Younger generations should honor older generations. The younger should not tell the older what to do. The younger are not the boss. The older are.

May God bless you with good days, Aunt Mona! Your Christian legacy is established. I hope that I can help you publish your unpublished book. I'm still working on mine. We all love you, Aunt Mona.