A perfect 100 for Aunt Bea

I received the sad news this morning that my great Aunt Bea died. She lived a wonderful life and was a truly amazing, loving, kind, beautiful woman and I should be happy that she was blessed with such a great life and a long time on this earth. She was 100 years old.

My grandfather had three brothers and three sisters. Though Aunt Bea lived in Greenville since she married her husband in 1932 (he died before I was even born), I was fortunate that I was able to see her many times over the years. One of my grandfather’s sisters lived next door to us for 10 years, so we knew her well…I didn’t know his other sister well. As for his brothers, one died at the age of 21 (I think) and the other two lived in my hometown for much of my childhood so I saw them more frequently. They were all tremendous characters and great people, all in their own unique ways. Aunt Bea was just one of those people who just radiated love through her smile and her eyes. She was such a kind soul. I loved talking to her and learning about her childhood. She and my grandfather and their siblings had quite an interesting life. Now that I’m older, I wish I had been more interested in hearing their stories when they were able to tell them to me.

In November 2009, I saw Aunt Bea for what became the last time. I introduced her to my boys and enjoyed a delightful lunch with her and her daughter-in-law (and my parents).

Looking at that picture makes me smile. There’s Aunt Bea, holding my son’s hand and looking lovingly at him in the way only she could do. It’s so great to see four generations of my Dad’s side of the family; and Aunt Bea as the last living sibling of my grandfather’s family. Of all of the other siblings, my grandfather lived second longest and died in 1998. I can't imagine what that must have been like for her, having so many of her relatives leave this world before it was her time. But I am sure she valued the time on earth she had to spend with her large (more) immediate family.

I bet Aunt Bea left her mark wherever she went. I know she did with me. I know that Furman University is what it is today much because of her and her husband. And I am thankful that I knew her and that I can claim her as my family.