“Do good quietly—life has a way of returning kindness when it matters most.” ~ Unknown
project
Rachel Noble-Varney heads up the Monuments Project at UK’s College of Law, and we’ve had many conversations about cemeteries in the last few months. She has been documenting a variety of cemeteries in Eastern Kentucky and inquired about my family’s cemeteries (yes, plural, as there are several). She was taken by the story of the Adam Terry cemetery in Knott County, so we made a trek to see it today with her photographer, Sarah (whose last name I don’t know). I’ve talked about that cemetery before, back in 2017 when Hero, Shero, and I took a Father’s Day adventure. Back then, cousin Eunice and her husband Johnny were still living and in good-ish health. Sadly, Eunice passed in December, and Johnny only lasted about six months, when he also passed in June of this year.
Ambrose
Eunice and Johnny had been sweethearts since he was a young man, so I don’t think it surprised anyone when he died soon after she did. I last saw them in 2022 after the biblical flood that stranded much of eastern Kentucky along Troublesome Creek, including Eunice and Johnny up in Hardburley. BFF Kathryn Engle was with me that day, and we had the best time visiting with them. Eunice showed me all kinds of photos of the family I’d never seen. I wonder where those will go now that she and Johnny have passed. They had no children, but maintained close relationships with her brothers and sisters, as well as many of her first cousins. She and Hero were especially close, and I came to love her like an aunt. I was glad to see their stone was up to date, and Johnny’s military bronze footer had already been installed, too. I will visit them as much as I can, but I’m most sorry I can’t talk to her anymore. I’ll always miss her and Johnny, but boy, am I grateful for all the letters we exchanged and conversations we had. What a blessing.
daughter of….
One response
Thank you for this beautiful post!