Grandma Ora's Passing and Funeral by Robin R. Foster

Last week, I told you how Grandma Ora came to visit us, and how she got me to recite the 23rd Psalm. I promised to tell you about her passing and funeral on 19 January 1971. This was my first funeral. I did not even know what that was. This is a child's perspective.

Grandma takes sick

I was at home, and some of Grandma Ora's sons were having a meeting. They were all talking about Grandma being sick. It involved food she had eaten. My mother was there, but my father was not. I remember that because I kept wishing he were.

Even now, I can feel sick to my stomach. I do know much of what they talked about. I do not even remember if Grandma was even there. I do not remember how many days went by.

Grandma Ora is dead

The first thing I can remember was Daddy coming home. I can hardly write this. I have broken down. It's real grief I am feeling now. I did not expect this, but it is good for me. I can get it out. This has been locked up for so many years.

I never got to say goodbye. Everyone else was processing Grandma Ora's death while I did not know what was happening. I feel like this sacred experience has been saved for me now.

As I was saying, Daddy had come home. He must have been there. I asked him, "How is Grandma?" He said she had passed away. I do not remember anything after that.

Aunt Margaret tells me where Grandma had gone

Aunt Margaret was Grandma Ora's youngest daughter. Some of the family gathered to pick out what Grandma would wear. I asked Aunt Margaret, "Were was Grandma?" She said that Grandma had gone home to be with the Lord. That made me feel better.

Grandma Ora's Funeral

The only thing that I can remember after that is Daddy writing the funeral program. I have the original:

The next thing I remember was sitting at Grandma's funeral. It was packed. I wanted to go up and look at her. I remember some taking me up to see her for the last time.

She was so very pretty. I know they had gotten everything from her closet that she had brought with her. She looked as if she was asleep.

Fast forward to today

I know my grandma is in paradise. As a matter of fact, her husband is there too. I know she would like all her children with her. She is waiting for resurrection (see below).

"Resurrection is the reuniting of the spirit with the body in an immortal state, no longer subject to disease or death. Because of the Fall of Adam and Eve, we are subject to physical death, which is the separation of the spirit from the body. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, all people will be resurrected and saved from physical death (see 1 Corinthians 15:22). Resurrection is the reuniting of the spirit with the body in an immortal state, no longer subject to disease or death." Resurrection