A great reunion in heaven!!

A week ago today I was in Jackson at UMC with the family of Joann Wallace. She was having complications from her cancer. We all knew in our hearts that the Lord was beginning to make his place for her beside him. When he would welcome her into those gates was the question. She had a good couple of hours on Sunday and later after everyone had left and it was just she and Mr. Phillip, she peacefully left this earth and a great reunion in heaven was beginning.

I sit here with tears in my eyes trying to put into words how awesome this lady was. A true Christian, a very loving wife, a devoted mother, a grandmother that would do anything for her grandbabies. Mother of 3 by blood and many more by pure love (myself and Chris included). Grandmother to 7 grandbabies that had her heart completely.

Joann as far as I could remember was always a part of my life, but about 6 or 7 years ago she became more that I ever expected. About that time, Joann's son Festus and I started seeing each other. I know it's not proper to bring up ex's especially since they are married and have moved on, but you have to know Festus was part of that closeness. As we were dating Joann's condition was getting somewhat worse. In this time I was able to witness what I believe to be "true love & the extent a person goes for their loved ones". God, thru Joann and Phillip opened my eyes to this. Thru this sickness I gained a best friend in her daughter Dustie, closeness with Lacey to my own family, and with Festus, I think he found what he wanted from life. They know I would do anything for them, but the love I witnessed thru their family rallying around this wonderful woman there are no words to describe!

For a mom to comfort the ex of her son's during the breakup is some kind of a wonderful woman. Without Joann I don't know that I could have moved on past my heartbreak with Festus. She told me I'd be fine and that regardless of what happened she felt Fes and I would always be friends. She was right, I did move on, as did he. He married and has a little step son and a beautiful girl named after her awesome grandmother. Festus was ready for what I wasn't, family and kids, and I think Joann knew that. There is a friendship that remains between Festus and I. With Joann's help we parted ways on good terms and were able to salvage a friendship. Festus has made with Tammy the family he wanted.

I remember the first time I saw her laying in her hospital bed after her surgery those years ago, Phillip holding her hand with one hand and a wet rag wiping her face with another one. She was in that hospital for at least a week, week & half, but he never left the hospital, sleeping on makeshift cots in the waiting room while she was in ICU. Once home from the hospital he was with her. Every trip from that point back and froth to the hospital, he made with her. When she was in isolation this past Nov/Dec, Phillip was in there with her. Unable to see family but able to be with her. Phillip was beside Joann thru "sickness and health & til death do us part". This is something in today's society I've said people hardly see anymore, but a blessing those two were to me and the dept of their love for each other. I hope that one day I will be blessed to have that in a relationship.

I know in my heart that she is in a better place where she is in no pain. I know she was welcomed into heaven with open arms by the Good Lord above and right behind him were her father Mr WT and her two brothers that have passed before her waiting for a reunion that we only hope to have when it's our turn. Knowing Joann she looked back at us for a moment, but in her heart she knew we were all going to be okay. She left the strength & knowledge behind to be a great family & to be great friends to each other. In the end, family is what she lived for. Friends were the extra blessings that enriched her also.

Bro. Marvin read Ecclesiastes 3:1-9. In his words were Joann thru and thru. She lived these verses:

"Everything on earth has its own time and its own season. There is a time for birth & death, planting & reaping, for killing & healing, destroying & building, for crying & laughing, weeping & dancing, for throwing stones & gathering stones, embracing & parting. There is a time for finding & losing, keeping & giving, for tearing & sewing, listening & speaking. There is also a time for love & hate, for war & peace."

I don't know that my words are any comfort to anyone. I know I have tired and tried to say things in a way that would portray her as the beautiful, amazing, caring, loving, free spirited, delicate woman that she was here on earth. Now she's a Heavenly Angel just as beautiful, amazing, caring, loving, free spirited and delicate as before, watching over all of us that she cared for. I am blessed and thankful to have had the opportunity to have had this woman in my life. I am thankful for her family, Phillip, Festus, Dustie, Lacey, MawMaw Jodie, & Uncle David for allowing me to be a part of this family throughout the years. I love each and everyone of you!!