Monday, January 14, 2008

I'll always love you, sweet Nonnie

Following is the obituary for my dear sweet grandmother. For all of my growing up years we lived very close to her and my grandfather...for nine of those years we lived across the street. I adored her all of those years and spent as much time as I could at their home. About the time I had Luke, we moved around the corner from her and Poppy, and once again I spent many hours at their home, as they loved to see their great-grandchildren. Those are all treasured moments, and as I see more and more families having to live far from one another I am all the more thankful for the gift of my sweet grandparents' time. I last saw Nonnie on Christmas Eve, and she had one of her rarer lucid moments as we reminisced about past Christmases and the great family memories we shared. As the obituary mentions, my grandmother was a huge part of my love for China; our 3 week trip to China will always stand out as one of the highlights of my life. But truly, it was the day to day time at my grandparent's home, watching them love each other and their family, that fills my memories. I'll be seeing you, sweet Nonnie, and until then I will try to live up to your amazing legacy as I strive to serve those around me as faithfully as you.


Alice Joyce "Nonnie" Blythe Fenimore, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, entered the kingdom of heaven on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008. Memorial service: 11 a.m. Wednesday at Birdville Baptist Church. A private interment in Mount Olivet Cemetery will precede the memorial service. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Mount Olivet Funeral Home.



Pallbearers: Dru Fenimore, John Spicer, Richard Davis, Robert Harrison, Dee Johnston and Ermon Kilgo.



Memorials: Contributions may be made to a charity of choice.




Alice Fenimore was born April 19, 1922, in Tamaroa, Ill., the fourth of five children. She graduated from Pinckneyville High School, then moved to St. Louis, Mo., to continue her education. There she met Robert J. Fenimore, and they married on Oct. 4, 1940. They had one son, Robert Lee, before moving to Fort Worth, where son, William Joseph, was born.



Alice was an integral part of Fenimore-Blythe Masonry Contractors, a family business begun in 1945. She was the secretary and in charge of payrolls for many years. The granddaughter of a Baptist preacher, Alice belonged to Birdville Baptist Church from 1950 to the present. During this time, she held many offices and taught high school Sunday school. She also enjoyed doing ceramics at the church, where she helped many newcomers learn the craft.



For many years, Alice was a member of the Diamond Oaks Ladies Golf Association and won several oak leaves for her play. She sparked the interest of her grandson, Dru Fenimore, in golf, and she and Bob followed him to numerous tournaments throughout the U.S.



Alice and Bob also loved to travel, both in the U.S. and abroad. Their frequent travel companions were Taloma and Cecil Camp, with whom they shared many humorous and exciting adventures. When Alice took her granddaughter, Jill Fenimore, to China in 1986, Jill developed a love for international culture that resulted in five international adoptions.



Alice and Bob enjoyed hosting family events and her abundant tables made everyone feel welcome. Their great loves were their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A fun-loving woman with a penchant for mischief and a talent for entertaining, her unending good humor will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her.



Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, in 2001; her parents, William and Clara Blythe; her brothers, Kenneth and Lawrence Blythe; and her beloved sister-in-law, Doris Blythe.



Survivors: Sons, Bobby Fenimore and wife, Gaye, Billy Fenimore and wife, Janice; grandchildren, Jill Spicer, Megan King, Robin Barnes, Paige Fenimore, Dru Fenimore and their spouses; 12 great-grandchildren; brothers, Willis and Orval Blythe; numerous nieces and nephews; and treasured friends, Taloma Camp and Louise Trigg.

7 comments:

Laura Lu said...

Ah, Jill, I am so sorry. What a beautiful woman of God! I had tears reading about your trip together...how special.

Christina said...

Jill,

So sorry to hear of your Grandmother's passing, she sounds like an amazing woman! You are so blessed to have had so many years with her, and what a blessing that she was able to enjoy so many grandchildren and great-grandchildren! I have a special place in my heart for my "Gamma" too -- she lived with us for 15 years after my Grandfather passed, so we were very close. She helped me through some tough times growing up. Hugs and prayers to you.

Christina from RR

liesel said...

Sounds like you had a special relationship with your grandma. Once again, your blog made me cry!

Ronette said...

Jill, I am so sorry for the loss of you Nonnie. I am very close to my grandma and can relate so well.

Anonymous said...

(((Jill))) I'm so sorry for your loss--your grandmother sounds like a wonderful woman!

xoxox
Amanda

Alana - The Mommy said...

So sorry for your loss Jill. Hugs to you my friend.

Michelle said...

Hi Jill - Your Nonnie sounds like she was so very special. I'm sad to hear about her passing, but I know she is safe in Heaven and will watch over you and your beautiful family!

Michelle (From the RR email group)