The Hart, Callihan, and Minniefield
families’ tribute to our beloved
Jo-Ann Williams affectionately
to us “Granny”
Love is
patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not
proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not
self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always
hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
Learning of
Granny’s passing a few days ago was one of the hardest days for all of us. As difficult as it was in a weird kind of way
the day also caused us to rejoice. Yes, she is now free from the bondage of the
dreaded disease Cancer. The thought of no more pain, or
suffering somehow provided a calm sense of unexplainable peace for us.
The Lord
allowed our pathways to cross thirteen years or so ago through our children and
we’ve been family from then until now. Cynthia, Jeffery and Girls we commend
you all for a job well done taking care of Granny during her transition. We wish we could be there with you now in person
during what we know is a very difficult time.
Prayerfully you all feel our presence, especially now, as you are
celebrating Granny’s life well lived. Family for all of us is significant, and
Granny adopted us and loved us as her family almost immediately. She was there with my mother, when Diana was
born, but we really grew very close after an auto-pedestrian accident, in
2001. Granny took care of Diana who was
only six months old at the time, me, all while taking care of Alex and Ashly. She allowed me to be angry, cry, and a couple of times Granny allowed me to
have a meltdown fit, but then she said like only she could “now that is enough of that you need to get yourself together and get
on to something else.” It wasn’t long after that I recovered and was able
to go back to work.
She
invested so much into me, Joshua, and our girls lives. We are better because of the time and energy
she spent pouring wisdom, and the wealth of life long knowledge into us. Granny
exhibited the grace of God, His unmerited favor, and had the ultimate respect
for every human being. She was such a gracious, and proper woman who went out
of her way to be kind. Granny meant so much to us. The above scripture about
love describes the love Granny shared with so many people. She was like a second
mother, a grandmother to my girls, a teacher, mentor, and Granny was my friend. Our world
would be so much sweeter if there were more people like Mrs. Jo-Ann Williams (Granny).
The bulk of
our conversations was either about God, or our family. She was a woman of great faith, and she lived
a life that so pleased God. We shared favorite foods such as taco salad, soup, beans, all things italian, and seafood. We had some beautiful meals together making life long
memories. Granny was an incredible gardener too. Now make no mistake about it she
was also strict on the girls (and me too) when she needed to be, “keep the main thing the main thing” she
would often say, and we knew to get right back on track, she knew her job, and did it
well. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderes or addicted to much wine, but teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Titus 2:3-5 (NIV)
We
celebrate you Mrs. JoAnn Williams, and know for sure we will see you again. A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of
death is better than the day of birth.” Ecclesiastes 7:1 (NIV)
I’m so
thankful for the opportunities we had to demonstrate how much Granny meant to
us, we loved on her every time she was around.
We feel sadness, but we maximized our time when she was alive, we have
no regrets. We are positive she knew our
great love for her. Family, life
is short let’s hold each other accountable to live every day to the fullest …and
challenge each other to deliberately love hard with out excuse, not contigent on if it is recieved …
“Finally, my brethren,
whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy think about such things. Philippians 4:8.” (NIV)
