May 6, 2008

Mama Mae

My grandmother Jessie Mae Tarver passed away over the weekend. I’m headed back to Alabama tomorrow for her funeral. She had just turned 90 years old in January. Mama Mae was “blessed” with 9 children. She was already a grandmother when her youngest was born. I asked my mom a few questions about her.

What’s your best memory of your mother?

She was a great seamstress. As a child, I could pick out a dress in a catalogue and she could duplicate it exactly.

What’s your most vivid memory with her?

Taking walks in the woods and picking wild violets.

Describe Mama Mae in one word.

Dependable

What were her favorite things? What did she enjoy doing?

Watching Alabama Crimson Tide Football and Atlanta Braves

What was she really, really good at?

Cooking, preserving jams and jellies (guess she passed that down to me)

What’s something that made her laugh?

Listening to anyone telling funny tales from the past.

Describe Mama Mae’s faith in God.

She sang hymns all the time, but never discussed her faith until she was diagnosed with cancer. She told me she knew she would go to heaven

How would Mama Mae want to be remembered?

As a southern lady who loved her family and her Lord.