Leaving a Legacy

Ms. Nellie Sammons Powell

June 15, 1908 - January 19, 2008

This is my sweet Grandmother. She was just 5 months shy of her 100th birthday when she passed away. She was born and raised in Georgia and lived her entire life there in the tiny town of Wrightsville. She married a man 10 years older than her and he passed away before I was even born, so she has been a widow for about 35 years! She has 4 sons, the third of which is my Dad. I'm trying to figure this out but I think she has 14 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. I could be wrong, though!

I have so many childhood memories of my Grandmother. We lived in Georgia when I was 5-12 years old. We would make what would feel like the longest trip in the world to her house for holidays or family reunions. I think it was only a 2 1/2 hour drive but it felt like eternity! I remember feeling so elated as soon as we turned on the dirt road that led to her house! I also remember her always standing on the front porch to greet us when we pulled up. We would all get out of our car to give her a hug and we couldn't wait to see if she was shrinking again. Of course it was just us growing but it seemed like every time we went to see her, she was shorter.

My grandmother loved to garden. She took care of her garden herself until she could no longer live alone which I believe was into her 90s. She was extremely healthy, a hard worker, a talented artist, a petite, very sweet and extremely soft-spoken lady. I loved doing the same things at her house when we would visit. We would go across the road and play at the huge pond, try fishing in it, we loved swinging on the tire swing that hung on the humongous oak tree in her front yard, and of course spend hours and hours on her front porch just visiting with everyone. I want a porch swing. Her home was so old but cozy. She only had space heaters to heat the rooms and I remember the toilet seat was always so freezing cold when I had to sit on it! She always hosted our reunions and managed to fit lots and lots of family in her home. My favorite thing about reunions was all the delicious food! My relatives can cook! I loved the black eyed peas, the cream style corn, pecan pie, sweet potato casserole, I literally could go on and on about the food. I also remember being afraid of what lived under her house. If we ever lost a ball or toy under the house, there it remained because no one would go under there!

I have so many memories of my Grandmother. One of my favorites was when she spent Christmas with us in Washington when I was about 13 or 14 years old. She had never been on an airplane before and she was in her 70s! She put her fears aside and came to see us! It was so nice having her at our home for a change and I think that was the first time I ever saw her in a pair of pants! She always wore dresses wherever she went and I remember being shocked to see she had a pair of pants on! Isn't it funny the things you remember?

I am so grateful that she had a peaceful passing. My uncle was in the room with her and he said it was the most peaceful passing he had ever heard of or witnessed. She simply took her last breath and that was it. I'm grateful for that. I'm grateful that although she never joined the church, she supported my Dad in his decision to be baptized and raise his children in the LDS church. I can't help but think that my brother is teaching her the gospel right now! Her only grandchild that passed away is now her missionary! I'm so grateful for the knowledge that I have of life after death. I know she is in a better place and is reunited with loved ones who passed on before her. What a reunion that had to have been!

To my sweet Grandmother, I love you. Thank you for the legacy you have left behind and for the memories of you I will forever cherish.