Pappaw

On Monday night, my dad's dad passed away.  He was 87 years old and had been suffering from congestive heart failure.  We are so sad that he's gone, but we're relieved that he is no longer sick and is in a better place.

Pappaw on his 87th Birthday

Mammaw and Pappaw on Pappaw's 87th Birthday

Pappaw's name was Aucie Etheridge Page, but everyone called him Buster.  He received the nickname due to his large size when he was a baby.  Pappaw was born on September 18, 1923.  He was the second-oldest of seven children.

Pappaw and his brothers (Uncle Amos, Uncle Robert, Pappaw, Uncle Charles, and Uncle Kenneth) 

Pappaw (third from right) and his brothers and sisters (Charles, Amos
Nettie, Robert, Pappaw, Kenneth, & Ocie Mae)

Grandmother and Grandaddy Page with all of their kids except for Uncle Amos
Pappaw is the tallest one

Grandmother Page (center) with her kids.  Pappaw is second from right.

On November 1, 1942, Pappaw and Mammaw eloped to Corinth, Mississippi.  She was 16 and he was 19.  They only had $25 in their pockets with which to being their life together.

Pappaw and Mammaw shortly after their marriage

Pappaw and Mammaw, June 2005

Pappaw and Mammaw, Christmas 2008

Pappaw and Mammaw.  They were featured in the local newspaper because
all of the Page brothers had marriages that lasted over fifty years.

Pappaw and Mammaw celebrating their 68th anniversary

Just a few months after they got married, Pappaw was drafted into the army and served his country in World War II.   

Mammaw, just because this picture is so pretty

Pappaw in his uniform

He never talked much about his service, but he fought all over Europe and was awarded a Purple Heart. 

Pappaw in Rome

 Pappaw served in the 7th Infantry Regiment, known as the Cottonbalers.

Pappaw was a farmer, a cattleman, and a logger.  He was a VERY hard worker.

Pappaw was most proud of his family.

Mammaw holding my dad Tommy, Pappaw, and Grandmother Page

Pappaw's brother Amos with his son Randall; Pappaw with Aunt Patti

Aunt Patti, my Dad, Pappaw, and Mammaw
December 1973

Though he and my grandmother attended school only through the eighth and tenth grades, respectively, they made sure that education was a priority for their children.  My dad went to college and dental school; Aunt Patti became a nurse and then earned her MBA.

My dad, Mammaw, Pappaw, and Aunt Patti
June 2005

Christmas 2009
Mammaw and Pappaw
Aunt Patti and Uncle Tony, my dad and mom

 Pappaw was a perfect grandparent.  He managed to indulge us while still teaching us the values that he held dear.

Paige and me with Pappaw, September 1983

Pappaw letting Adam and me ride in the wheelbarrow, June 1985

Pappaw holding Adam while I play.  September 1984

Pappaw and me. Thanksgiving 1983

Pappaw helping me open presents. Christmas 1983

Pappaw, me, and Adam.  June 1991.
Adam was really into Ninja Turtles.

Mammaw and Pappaw with Paige, me, David, Adam, and Amy
Christmas 2009

Some of my favorite memories with Pappaw have occurred in the past six months.  When we found out that Eileen was on the way, I prayed and prayed that Eileen would get to meet her great-grandfather.  She did--- and she absolutely loved him!

Eileen met Pappaw on December 24, 2010

He was so thrilled to meet his first great-grandchild

Eileen, Mammaw, and Pappaw.   April 2011.

Eileen, me, and Pappaw on May 6, 2011

Mammaw, Eileen, and Pappaw on May 7, 2011

Eileen LOVED Pappaw.  She kept laughing and smiling at him,
and she kept trying to touch him.  She did hold his finger in her hand.

We're going to miss Pappaw very, very much.  However, we are so grateful for the long, wonderful life that he led.