Off to Tennessee

These subjects are probably not the best to talk about in a running blog, but it's life and it isn't always roses.

I will be bypassing the Webster Bicycle Duathlon #3 in the morning to attend the funeral in Tullahoma, Tennessee of my wife's grandmother, Lillian Aleene Darden, who was 89 years of age.

My wife, Gena, and Waverly began making plans to drive on Thursday as they knew that there were some issues that weren't getting better. They were going to fly. While having some mixed signals during the day on Thursday, they thought that they might be able to get there, see her and with driving, not be encumbered by an airline schedule to get back.

But before they were able to leave Friday morning however, they received a phone call that she had passed on. The two of them got to Tullahoma Friday evening and I wasn't sure that I was even going to be able to go because all of my clothes that one would wear at a funeral are in Vancouver (when I left the apartment I hadn't received the news yet) -and- I didn't see any Sunday evening flights home available.

However, I found a suit that hadn't come out of the cleaning bag since the summer of 2004 that fit and I was able to work the flights out OK. My biggest concern is that I have no idea how Waverly is going to handle things. She's been to a viewing before, but it wasn't anybody she was too close to. But the funeral service is something that is going to be new for her as well.

Please keep all of them in your prayers and thanks for allowing me to share.

Below is my wife's grandmother's obituary notice:

Mrs. Lillian Aleene Darden
April 24, 1917 - July 21, 2006

Funeral services for Lillian Aleene Darden, age 89 of Normandy will be conducted Sunday, July 23, 2006 at 2:00 PM from the Chapel of Tullahoma Funeral Home with Brother Jack Hice officiating. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.
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Mrs. Darden died Friday, July 21, 2006 at Harton Regional Medical Center after a brief illness. She was born April 24, 1917 in Bedford County, TN the daughter of the late Clinton Daniel and Madie Lee Porsser Daniel. She was a homemaker and a member of the protestant faith. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow Darden, a granddaughter, Renae Darden and brothers and sisters, Ralph, Junior, Louise and Pauline.
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Survivors include six children, Jerry (Gail) Darden of Tullahoma, Martha (Bob) Brasier of also of Tullahoma, Robert (Juanita) Darden of Normandy, Patsy (Leonard) Broadrick of Houston, TX, Benny Darden of Normandy and Myra Watson of Lynchburg, TN; seven grandchildren, Julie, Janie, Gena, Jason, Daniel, Robin, and Amy; a great-granddaughter, Waverly and many nieces, nephews and loving friends. Also surviving is a sister, Christine Hunt of Tullahoma, TN.

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The family will receive friends Saturday from 5:00-9:00 PM at the funeral home.