I came to Perry, GA mid March to take care of my 99 year old, previously completely independent and amazing grandmother. Up till now she still lived in her 1925 built home that my mother and uncle grew up in. They moved here from Moultrie, GA in 1951. She lived alone since Granddaddy died almost 27 years ago. She still drove her 1994 (67,000 miles, always parked under cover) Crown Victoria competently, paid all her bills on time with a check or in person, balanced her checkbook to the penny (no WiFi, no computer, no cellphone) grocery shopped, cooked all her meals on her 1969 Handwick gas stove, did yard work including picking up 60 pounds of pecans this last fall, had perfect posture, and the most beautiful skin because it was never exposed to the sun. She was sharp as a tack, with a memory better than most anyone I’ve ever met. I was amazed as she dialed up her friends on her corded landline phone never needing to look up a phone number. She had cataract surgery years ago and could see perfectly near and far without readers. She loved crafting (quilting, knitting, crochet, embroidery, needlepoint, cross-stitch) and was a wonderful seamstress, making many beautiful dresses and outfits throughout her life, including my mother’s wedding dress and many masks last year which she gave away to friends. You must scroll down to the pictures below to see the tiny seams and careful stitching on her mask that she was able to master on her sewing machine at nearly 100 years old. She was meticulous and proper, the epitome of a true southern magnolia. And she loved her family and many friends always sending birthday and holiday cards or sending them home with homemade pies, jellies or other delectable item. She loved the Lord most of all, faithfully attending First Baptist Church a half mile from her home for nearly 70 years. She would often say during her time living alone, “I’m just fine right here, the Lord and me”... In her later years she began watching church sermons on TV and this continued during Covid. I found many recently completed scripture lessons filled out in her careful penmanship.
March 17th she just moved the wrong way and suddenly couldn’t walk due to her aggressive osteoarthritis. Being completely bedridden took its toll on my physically super active grandmother. I had no idea things would progress this quickly. When she accepted that she would no longer be able to live alone, we began working on plans to get her moved to NC and I hoped to care for her in my own home, with help of course. I found that she was so willing and gracious to allow me to tend to all of her needs, it was truly an honor and a pleasure to love her this way. And I was learning so much about her and our family history, what a blessing...
But moving to NC didn’t play out. In the 3rd week after the incident, she took a downward turn and couldn’t eat or drink anymore due to the intensifying pain in her hips and back. The only relief was more pain medication... 😔
My mother arrived, and she and Grandmother were able to spend some precious lucid moments together on Friday before the pain medication took over. Mom helped with Grandmother’s care throughout that weekend.
My grandmother, Miss Minnie Lee Tomlinson passed peacefully in her sleep this past Monday, April 12th at 5:30 am. I know she’s was exuberant as she received her heavenly reward and was greeted by Granddaddy, Uncle Dale, her parents, her 10 brothers and one sister.
I have been beyond blessed and proud to be her granddaughter!
I will cherish her memory with forever heartfelt love ♥️♥️♥️
Rest In Peace Grandmother ♥️
♥️ I love you ♥️