My past week (particularly May 3-10) was utterly craptastic. Here’s the highlights.
Mr. Ross, my wife’s 98-year-old grandfather, passed away on Sunday, May 3. After being admitted to the hospital earlier in the week due to pneumonia (I spelled that right the first time, I promise.), he went down-hill and was admitted to ICU. He passed surrounded by his family.
- Mr. Ross was born April 22, 1911 in Drew County, the son of Walker Clay Ross and Ethel Thomas. He owned the Ross Service Station for 57 years.
- He was preceded in death by his wife, Irma Blythe Ross; two sisters, Mariee Saggs and Helen Stuckey; a brother, Morris Clay Ross; and an infant daughter.
- Survivors include two sons, Walker Ross of Monroe, La., and Wayne Ross of Arizona; a daughter, Wrenetta Carr of Monticello; a brother, William Faye Ross of Oklahoma City, Okla.; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
- Visitation was held Tuesday, May 5 and funeral services were held Wednesday, May 6.
- Burial took place Friday, May 8 at Oakland Cemetery, where Mr. Ross was laid to rest beside his wife. The burial was delayed due to weather.
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Downed Cedar Tree
Wednesday, May 6: I was awoken a few minutes before 5AM to the sound of extremely loud wind. I woke Colleen and we got ready to go to her parents house for safety, said a prayer, and tried to leave. A tornado, originating north of Monticello in Montongo, had traveled south-southeast towards our home on Florence Road. It apparently skipped around before coming our way for a visit. Our neighbors’ home was destroyed by a tree, as was their truck. The family farm also received much damage, including damage to the work pen and a barn roof. Many trees were downed as well. We had several trees down next to our house as well, but no structure damage.
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Callie's truck
Saturday, May 9: Callie, my sister-in-law, wrecked and totaled her Ford F-250. She was taken to the hospital. She suffered a concussion, several broken ribs, a bruised lung, and a lacerated liver. Because of her liver injury, she was taken to the Baptist hospital in Little Rock for observation. Fortunately, no complications arose and she was allowed to come home yesterday, May 11.
With all of these trials, we still realize how blessed we’ve been. I was able to know Mr. Ross a few short years, and helped him out on the farm and with other things. Though he was as old as he was, he wore me out any time I worked with him. The storm damage, though severe in some places, did not take any lives nor cause any serious injury. Possessions and homes were destroyed, but they’re just objects. Callie suffered injuries that could have been much worse, even life-threatening. We have been blessed. Oh, also, Colleen and I leave Saturday morning for a 7-day cruise in the Western Caribbean. We won’t be visiting Cozumel, Mexico as was part of the original itinerary because of the H1N1 flu, but that’s okay; we’ll still have a blast, and we’ll take more pictures this time.