As we drove into Athens for my papaw’s funeral on Wednesday, I told Nate about what came to my mind when I thought of him. Papaw Sneed to me was overalls, circus peanuts, chap stick, and chewing tobacco. It’s amazing the things you learn about the one’s you love when they are gone.
I knew he was a preacher back in the day. I didn’t know it was for 51 years. I knew he loved the lake and stayed there every summer. I didn’t know he liked to have his feet rubbed. I knew he was married to my mamaw for 64 years. I didn’t know how sweet they were with each other until I saw her kiss him and clean his face while he was in the hospital that last week. I knew he loved his family. I didn’t know he loved us so much he would recognize each one of us on his death bed. (And there are a lot of us!)
Papaw Sneed is one of those people in my life that I wished I could have been around more…that I wished I could have talked to more…that I wish I could have loved more.
As he laid there peacefully in his overalls with a Bible in his hands, I had to agree with the man giving the message that night…he was one of the Lord’s giants…
Marion Alfred “Bo” Sneed
November 20. 1929- September 6, 2010
5 comments:
Sorry to hear about your loss but thankful for his love for Jesus! God gives and takes away but blessed be His name...
How beautiful to read about someone like your papaw. Married 64 years; it times like ours this speaks loudly of Christ's love and what he can do in our lives.
A wonderful tribute, Michelle!
Very sorry for your loss. However, very wonderful tribute
Everything you posted about papaw was true. I knew he had been a pastor for a long time, but 51 years WoW. One of my favorite things the preacher said at his funeral was..."if I had the chance to bring him back, I wouldn't"... because we all know where he is and how well he is doing. He had a happy, wonderful life here with us but he is rejoicing in Heaven and God is smiling because he has that wonderful man with him now. You wouldn't believe the people that have called my office to say.."I'm sorry about your papaw, Angie, he was a great man", people I didn't even know... people from the lake, clerks from the courthouses, etc and they all said he made an impact on their life. I am thankful that he was MINE!!! I miss him!
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