Dear Betty, Allen and I are so sorry to hear about Jimmy passing on. I know how he suffered years of ill health. In spite of his pain, he never complained to me. On the contrary, he would always tell a funny story or a joke and we’d both be laughing. As young children, we were inseparable. He’d come by the house, astride Rexie, no saddle, just a rope bridle with reins and carrying a little switch. His old dog, Astrouser, slowly followed behind. We’d play all day, fish in the creek behind my house, ride Rexie together and pretend we were Indians. My mother would call us in for lunch. Jimmy loved mom’s cooking. She made batter fried cauliflower and Jimmy would eat it so fast right out of her frying pan. He loved it so much. We would listen records and trade our 45’s. I remember your mother and father, like it was yesterday. I made apple pies with Annie and Grandma in the old wood stove. When she passed away, she was laid out on the sofa in the front parlor. I remember her high button shoes. Jimmy told me she told him she was going to pass that night and wanted the pies out of the oven, so she could prepare. She did pass that evening. You Betty, taught me to twirl. My father taught Freddy the Driver’s Manual, so he could get his license. We were family back then. My condolences to Jimmy’s children and grandchildren. They lost a man that didn’t have a mean bone in his body. I’m sending you love and my sincere hope that Jimmy is finally resting peacefully …
