In Memory of my Sister

Sherry I miss you sis. So does Mama, Joy, Wanda, Bo, Angela, Edward, Cindy and your grandbabies. I carried a picture of you in my shirt pocket right by my heart along with the matching angel pin the undertaker placed on the collar of your dress as you were laid to rest. Not a day goes by that I do not think of you. Mama is holding up strong and you know you were so much like her in your love and strength. She told me on the phone today, "Son don't grieve for Sherry. We'll be with her one day. She's fine son. Now I have to let you go. I'm going down stairs to sing the gospel to some friends. Don't be sad Edward."

I sent some money to Cindy last night to get you flowers for this day. She said she and Angie got you some colorful ones of all colors. They're silk and they cover a big area of your resting place. I know how you always liked to share so I had her put one of your flowers on Janie and Daddy's graves.

I miss you Sherry, I want badly to pick up the phone and call you, just to hear your voice or see you and give you a big hug and hear you say, "Bubba I love you." as you kiss me on the side of my face. You did that a lot, right on up to that last hour of your life. I can still see that grin of yours and that little wave from the door window when I last saw you alive. I love you and miss you.....but....I know where you are and I can look at your picture now and give you that big ole grin of mine......but can't help to do it with a tear coming from my eye. Good night Sherry, love you.

Your Brother,

Bubby

In Loving Memory

Mrs. Sherry Ann Milton

Born

January 11, 1955 Elberton, Ga

Entered into Rest

July 1, 2003

Funeral Service

1:00 P.M., Saturday, July 5, 2003

Elberton Church of God

Elberton, Georgia

Officiating

Rev. Randy Coggins

Rev. Phillip Crocker

Pallbearers

Earl Bonds, Allen Bonds, Buck Segars, Brian Scarborugh,

James Graham, Juston Colvard

Interment

Elmhurst Cemetery

Elberton, Georgia

Arrangements By

Hicks Funeral Home

Elberton, Georgia

My niece Tammy sang my sister's favorite song

"In The Arms Of An Angel"

at her funeral service.

~IN THE ARMS OF AN ANGEL~

~Sara McLachlan~

Spending all your time waiting,

For that second chance

For a break that would make it okay

There's always one reason to feel not good enough

And it's hard at the end of the day

I need some distraction, oh beautiful release

Memory seeps from my veins

Let me be empty, and weightless and maybe

I'll find some peace tonight

In the arms of an angel, fly away from here

From this dark cold hotel room

And the endlessness that you fear

You are pulled from the wreckage,

Of your silent reverie

Your in the arms of the angel

May you find some comfort there

So tired of the straight line,

And everywhere you turn

There's vultures and thieves at your back

And the storm keeps on twisting,

You keep on building the lie

That you make up for all that you lack

It don't make no difference,

Escaping one last time

It's easier to believe in this sweet madness oh

This glorious sadness that brings me to my knees

In the arms of an angel, fly away from here

From this cold hotel room,

And the endlessness that you fear

You are pulled from the wreckage

Of your silent reverie

You're in the arms of the angel

May you find some comfort there

You're in the arms of the angel

May you find some comfort here

Sherry married my brother-in-law when she was 15. He was the love of her life and they brought 3 children into the world. Those childern blessed them with 9 grandchildren.

The beginning:

Sherry was brought into this world approximately 1 year after my sister Janie, who died one day after birth. Sherry visited her grave often to place flowers. Her last visit was with her granddaughter shortly before she passed away.

The above picture is blurred but one of my favorites. It was taken in the hospital in January 1960 when I was recovering from polio.

It is me, my aunt and Sherry.

This picture above is Easter 1962 in Elberton GA. From left to right:

My sister Wanda, me and Sherry.

Sherry would have killed me for posting this picture but this is her and me side by side. When I was stricken with polio she was always there by my side. She and my other two sisters didn't see me as having a disbility, they were always there for me. I have lost a part of myself when I lost my baby sister. Sherry and I played together and got into heaps of trouble causing Daddy and Mama lots of greif. We were children who was allowed to grow in faith, honesty and compassion. My folks taught us well but as my Mom said just a short time ago to her doctor and Paster Crocker when she layed in her hospital bed after learning of Sherry's passing, "My husband and I raised our children wih the love of God but I could not keep them from smoking". Sherry had compassion and loved everyone. She never said no and would do all she could for her family, friends and strangers.

God has given us all a purpose on this earth. Our path has been made, trust in him with all your heart. Believe and have faith in your Higher Power and yourself. The Lord means love, light and goodness in all things :

A few weeks back I received a phone call that my Mom had fallen and shattered her hip, requiring surgery . Two days later she had a heart attack and would require open heart surgery just as soon as she built up enough strength.

My sisters (we are a poor family monetarily but in all other things God has enriched our lives and provided for us in his on way) had difficulty getting transportation to and from the hospital that Mama was located at.

Sherry has been looking after Mama with paying her bills, getting her groceries , taking her to the doctor and getting her meds in addition to caring for her own family. She has had that responsibility for years now. I supported her as best I could by helping on Moms bills and moral support from my end here in Florida. My sister Wanda who lives in South Georgia always tried to get to Elberton to help Mama and Sherry as best she could. Joy, my eldest sister supported all she could even though she is critically ill with Emphysema and under the care of hospice.

After the phone call I debated on renting a car equipped with hand controls or just sending the money to help my sisters.

The following occurred:

My Quit buddy and friend Mags from Freedom Village Forum encouraged me to GO.

I wasn't sure I would get a car properly equipped but received a call from Herz that the car would be available for me.

I was told by many that I should drive my own 1990 Olds but I had a feeling it wasn't safe (When I returned home the battery was dead, a hose busted loose from the radiator and I had alternator problems).

I had a safe trip to North Georgia and arrived with Sherry awaiting.

We used the rental on numerous trips to the hospital which was about 40 miles from Elberton.

I spent time with Sherry, we visited the cemetery and I asked her if she would like her and my brother-in-law to be buried in the plots I had purchased a few years ago. Sherry looked at me with that smile of hers and said, "Yes Bubba, I'll try and pay you for them." I looked her in the eyes, "No, if this is where you want to be then they are yours. I'll be buried right there beside you and Timmy (my nephew who died three years ago) when my time comes".

After Sherry's passing a cousin told me, "Sherry spoke to me a few weeks ago about God. She told me she had quit drinking (Sherry had been an alcoholic) 15 years ago . She said she tried to quit smoking but couldn't." "I told her, smoking will not keep you out of heaven."

God brought Pastor Phil Crocker into my families lives during this difficult time. He is a man of purpose, a man who comforts and saves souls. He is rebuilding a house of God, known as the Dewy Rose Church of God Prophecy in Dewey Rose Georgia.

On the night Sherry passed, my sister and I was planning on leaving the next day. We had spent an hour with Sherry from 9-10 PM. When we left Sherry stood at her door waving and smiling at me. She had told me she would be over in the morning to see us off. At around 10:50 PM July 1, 2003 Wanda and I heard Sherry's address given over the scanner while we were packing to leave. When we got to Sherry she was lying on the floor not breathing. I could only look at her swollen and blue face and cry and beg her to breath. It didn't happen, Sherry was at last resting and in the arms of Jesus. A part of me was torn away that night. She served a purpose and it was time for her to leave us and go home. I miss her beyond words. God gave me a week with her that I will always be thankful for. My brother-in-law said, "She stood, let out a breath and was gone." The undertaker said she was the most peaceful person they had seen. Mourners stood over her coffin and felt the peace surrounding her remains.

I'm thankful God gave me Sherry, she will always be with me in my heart and soul. Her death certificate reads:

Immediate Cause:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Due to:

Tobacco Abuse

Other significant Condition:

Brain Tumor

Had Sherry not smoked I sincerely believe she would have been alive today. I wanted to grow old with my sisters. I've lost one and I suspect the other two will follow( they still smoke). We all have to leave this world one day but don't let it be contributed to smoking.

My Mom and I shortly after Sherry left us.

About two days after Sherry passed. Wanda and I went to my brother Allen's.

We passed a large flowering shrub that was attracting butterflys.

As I walked by, a large colorful butterfly lightly touched my forhead.

I wander, could it have been a kiss from Sherry? I would like to think so.

On Thursday night July 17, 2003:

I was rolling my garbage can out to the road. As I walked back towards my house I glanced over at the fence by a cabbage palm. Lying on the grass was a beautiful silver gray dove. I walked towards it, certain it would take flight but it only watched me as I approached.

I leaned against the fence and spoke to it.....still it only looked up. I placed my crutch against the fence and reached down and gently picked it up. It layed calmly in the palm of my hand. I rubbed it's feathers and it continued to look up at me as I rubbed it on the side of it's face. I then inspected it for injuries.....nothing. I continued to comfort it as I took it across to my neighbor and asked him to ask his wife if she could find what was wrong and maybe care for it.

Why do I find this amazing? I wander if this might be another sign to me from my sister. I've NEVER in my life came across a bird like this. Coincidence? Maybe......Freedom Village has three symbols on its logo......the butterfly, the dove, and the cigarette with the X on it.

A butterfly touched my forehead two days after my sister's passing.......I find a dove lying in my yard today......I quit smoking tomorrow. Nuff said.

The next day I learned the dove died....I gently removed his lifeless body from the box Jay and Dee had placed him in and buried God's wonderful creation and messenger. Within minutes the addiction demon slipped in and I smoked...on Sunday July 20, 2003...I will quit again! God help me , I miss my Sherry but I am determined to bring a smile to her face and God!

This is my neice Kathy and I at Sherry's viewing.

July 4, 2003

From Kathy her email 7/20/2003 read:

My Email james011155@yahoo(dot)com

"Bubba I just wrote this. Hope it will help. It helped me in dealing with others who have passed on as I wrote it. A writer nor poet am I. Matter of fact I have never written anything other than a song so this surely came from the Lord. Love ya, praying for you

Katherine

Picking Flowers for the Master's Bouquet

Written by Alma Katherine Powell July 20, 2003

Where have all the flowers gone

All our loved ones are passing on

It seems we have picked them everyone

Are there any left to keep

The gardens are empty and the fireflies are asleep

You left me to set at Jesus feet

I see you in mom, sister, brother, your kids and grandkids to

But to my surprise I see you in me

Oh me oh my what am I to do

You are still here in our lives

Why even in doves and butterflies

Your laughter still fills the air

When all your memories we share

The pain is almost too much to bear

But please, don't forget to save me a chair

You have a new home in Heaven for sure

A place where all is beautiful and pure

I know we will meet again

When my life in Heaven begins.

We love you always and forever.

This is Sherry, just shortly before she passed away.

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