Rooted In Grace

Today, nine-strong branches represent the root. Each has prospered and borne vibrant, fragrant fruit...Little BETTY and young SAM were only babies when they died so they joined that little angel band that plays at evening tide.  

REBECCA was a sweet token, quiet and soft-spoken. FREDRICK, JR. was tragically crushed by a train - but God exchanged eternal life for all of his earthly pain.  SALLIE was a beautician who loved life and dressed the part.  She sang of "Laying the Cornerstone" - her Jesus lived within her heart.  JOHNNY migrated to Baltimore to live out his adult years.  His home became the little house out back when his life was changing gears.  

GEORGE ARMSTEAD was a preacher; a fisher of men's souls.  Getting to heaven and seeing God were his life's highest goals.  JOHN B. worked the land, singing with anointing as he went.  His gift for nurturing Mother Earth was truly heaven sent.  ALEX's work on the railroad took him to Norfolk, away from Crewe, but the bond he and his family shared held them together tighter than glue.  

GEORGE WASHINGTON was a soldier who died aboard his vessel.  His mission was accomplished, no more angels with which to wrestle.  EARNEST was a switch operator for the railroad shop in Crewe with a flip of his switch he redirected a train - altering its destiny right on cue.  MARY known to most as "Sister Mary", had a servant's heart.  People felt a kinship and embraced the life lessons she'd impart.  

WILLIE monitored Crewe's railroad tracks making repairs all along the way.  He walked to and fro his job each day - whether hot or cold or if skies were sunny or gray.  CORDELIA was a happy homemaker with a genuine gift for cooking and a green thumb the produced flowers that were the epitome of good looking.

 

....Many generations later....

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We stand reunited in joy and deeply rooted in grace!