a new career?

i wrote my great-grandmother's obituary.

and i helped with her makeup and jewelry at the funeral home.

how did i do that?

anyway, if you're interested, here is the obituary. it's not exactly what i wrote (newspaper edited some) but it's pretty close.

Jo Ella McLeod Leverich Gilstrap Mason, 91, was in the presence of family when she walked into the arms of the Lord, Friday, May 09, 2008.

A visitation will be held Sunday, May 11, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Highway 277 South. The celebration of her life, officiated by her nephew, Larry Mayfield, will be held, also at Elliott-Hamil Monday, May 12, at 1:30 p.m. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel, Texas.

Jo Ella was born in Trent, Texas on her mother's birthday, September 12, 1916. She was the tenth of eleven children born to Norman Lee "Pete" and Jo Ella McLeod. She attended White Flat High, but decided to go to school with a friend one day. Jo Ella caught a glimpse of Donald Leverich. By the end of that day, she had finagled her way into a date with him. From there on out, she attended and graduated from Trent High School, Valedictorian of her class. She was also voted Most Popular and Most Beautiful. Shorty after graduation, Jo Ella and Donald married and had two children. Their union, cut short by tragedy, turned a family of four into a constantly growing family of 53.

Jo Ella also attended Abilene Christian College, then in 1938 attended and graduated from Beauty School in Sweetwater, Texas.

Jo Ella married Donald Leverich in 1934, Tommy Gilstrap in 1946, and Wylie, "Dub", Mason in 1961 and was preceded in death by all three. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her son and daughter-in-law: Donald Richard Leverich, Jr. and Stacye; son-in-law: Kenneth Aldridge; granddaughter: Angelia Leverich; grandson: Bryon Leverich; six brothers and five sisters-in-law: Carlton and Era, Homer and Gertrude, Sam and Opal, Elmer "Preacher" and Edna, Delmer and Curley, and Tim McLeod; four sisters and brothers-in-law: Ethel and Bud Winters, Asha and Kenneth Mayfield, Molly and Bill Springer, and Pat and Joe English, as well as some nieces and nephews.

Jo Ella is survived by her daughter, Goldie Ann Aldridge; grandchildren: Cindy Barnes, Kathleen and H.A. Travis, Roxanne and Jerrel S., Keith Aldridge, Deborah and Pat Pursel, and Richard Stephen and Teresa Leverich; great-grandchildren: Heather and Rustin Gradke, Justin Barnes, Joe and Emily Travis, Jeremy and Misty Travis, Tyler Travis and Hailey Cook, Shanon Jemison, Monica Aldridge, Brandy S., Kristi Aldridge and John Teames, Richard Stephen Leverich, Jr., Angelia and James Ames, and Trina Leverich; nineteen great-great-grandchildren: Thade, Reed, Adalae, Jaden, Seth, Ethan, Morgan, Camri, Kiley, Maya, R.J., Jake, Jackson, Terrah, Patrick, Tristen, Lindsey, Jayton, and Victoria; sister-in-law, Bim McLeod, and several nieces and nephews.

Jo Ella was a member of Baker Heights Church of Christ. She was one of Abilene's top hairdressers for 43 years and owned "The Beauty Walk" salon. She was always up to date on the latest trends and was known to come home with a new hairstyle and color (including pink!) on a regular basis.

Our Mother, Grandma, Jo, Nana... She loved her family with every fiber of her being. On any given day, you could find her making muddy cakes, swinging, playing in the pool, or chasing trains to Merkel so the conductor would blow the horn, with her grandkids and great-grandkids. "No" was rarely, if ever, in her vocabulary when it came to our requests. Even as she grew older and the great-great-grandchildren came along, she could still be found driving around town, bringing treats, and laying in the floor to play with the babies she loved so dearly. Her large family brought her, and received from her, great joy while making countless amazing memories. She is deeply missed and will continue to be, forever, by the five generations she has left behind.

Jo Ella's family would like to thank Care Inn of Abilene, Dr. Streigler, and Big Country Hospice for their wonderful, loving care of our precious matriarch. Donations can be made to Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford, 2nd Floor, Abilene, Texas 79605, West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4601 Hartford, Abilene, Texas 79605, or charity of choice.

someone actually told me today i should write obituaries. i think i'd rather cut off my big toe with a spoon.

it's times like these i am so glad i started this here blog. you people are amazing. it's amazing to me how much love and compassion i have felt from people i met through the internet, most of whom i've never met in person, but feel like i've known all my life. my real life friends have also been amazing.

rachel, lou, ital rosario, juliet, friend, stormy, susan, gina, baldy, babs, mrs. burks, mama jo, pat, patty, judy, shayla, mrs. peel, pam, suggie, larry, shyla, coy, nancy, mrs. blogoway, jenny, casey, Jennie, Ally, Deb, NotAMeanGirl, Cynical Nymph, Rimmy, Cuz, MP, Lisa, Lee, Kelly, Mr. Farty, Holly, Annie, Bossy, Jen, Pumpkin, Denise, Gert, Grandma J, Tara, Headless Mom, Jason, EE, Heather, Days Go By, and even Anonymous. golly gee yous guys have been awesome. If I left anyone out, i'm really sorry. i'm running on like no sleep. it's great fun. you should try it.

then again, maybe not...