Wednesday, June 23, 2010

GOOD-BYE RONNIE

This picture is so Ronnie. Two pens in his pocket, cell phone (with the antenna up) in his pocket, suspenders, plaid shirt, blue jeans, & always a hat! A slight grin & a twinkle in his eye.

He was buried in a pink plaid shirt, blue jeans, red suspenders, with the pens & cell phone in his pocket and his new Stetson straw hat on his chest. A bottle of Mountain Dew was also there!!! Ronnie was never without his Mountain Dew.

Ronnie Carroll Seeley
January 29, 1943 - June 15, 2010
Age 67

Preceded in death by
Wife - Billie Janette "Jane" Seeley
Parents - Kenneth & Nina Bowman Seeley

Survivors:
Sons
Kenneth Wayne (Laura) Seeley
William Carroll (Dianne) Seeley
Joseph Brian (Amber Gibbs) Seeley

Brother
James Kenneth Seeley

Brother-In-Laws
Jerry Joyce
Mickey Joyce

Thirteen Grandchildren
One Great-Grandchild

Pallbearers:
Joe Seeley - Wayne Seeley - Billy Seeley - Jim Carroll
G.K. Seeley - Will Seeley - Jake Seeley - Fran Gonzales

We got one of those totally unexpected phone calls at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, June 16th. Our beloved brother-in-law had died the night before of a massive heart attack. We had lost Mickey's sister, and his wife, Jane, January 26. 2006.just 3 days before her 63rd birthday. His son, Billy, told us he would call all three sons each and every morning to tell them to have a good day and lately he'd been talking even more about how much he missed their Mama, his Janie.

There is nothing like a funeral in the South. Southerners still know how to give honor and respect to their friends. Ronnie's burial exemplifies this so well. On Saturday, from 2 pm to 8 pm, the family greeted visitors by the hundreds who came to pay their respect. The same thing occurred on Sunday from noon to 3 pm with the service beginning at 3 pm.

The first song was sung by 2nd son, Billy. The first speakers were Presley Seeley, daughter of the oldest son, Wayne, and then Wayne spoke. The second song was "I Can Only Imagine" sung by a close family friend. The second speaker was the 2nd son, Billy. The third song "I Believe" was sung by a man & woman duet. The 3rd speaker was the oldest grandson, G.K., son of Wayne. G.K. also read a poem Ronnie's only brother, Jimmy, had written titled "Together". The 4th speaker was the youngest son, Billy. The last speakers were brother-in-law, Jerry Joyce, and a family friend, Mike Sheley.

The comments from each speaker were so moving, telling the kind of father, grandfather, brother, man and friend Ronnie Seeley was. But they were also mixed with so many of the funny sayings Ronnie was known for and his funny antics which brought chuckles amidst our many tears.

The service was officiated by Dr. Eric Taylor, Baptist Pastor of the Seeley family.
Flowers - The center top shelf is the one from The Mickey Joyce Family.


The Long Horn display is from the sons & wives
The Whip below is from the grandchildren


Flowers - at the grave site

The burial was in Adams, Tennessee in the Seeley plot.
The hearst took the coffin from the funeral home in Springfield, Tennessee to about a mile from the cemetery where this wagon, with a team of horses and two drivers were waiting.
Pall bearers moving the casket from the wagon at the grave site. Facing from left to right, Grandson's Will, & G.K. & youngest son, Joe. With their backs left to right, Second son, Billy, Brother, Jimmy & oldest son, Wayne.
Pall bearers placing their rose boutonnieres onto the casket casing. Left to right, Grandsons: Fran Gonzales, Will Seeley, Jake Seeley & G.K. Seeley. Fran is not really a grandson but was treated as one and considered as one by Ronnie.

My beloved Mickey shoveling some dirt onto the coffin.


The bag piper who played "Amazing Grace"
The police man at the stop lights were standing at attention with their hands over their hearts. ALL the traffic pulled over to the side of the road as the L-O-N-G procession of automobiles followed the hearst.
Two other special things that were done: 1) Wayne Seeley owns a trucking firm and unbeknown to him 6 of his drivers pulled their Bar SS semi trucks along one spot in the road and honked their horns as we went by. 2) Another friend of Wayne, who is a pilot, flew his small plane up, down and around the procession as they approached Adams & the cemetery.

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19 comments:

weavermom said...

I'm sorry for your loss. He seems like a very special man that will be missed.

So grateful he knew the Lord. ((HUGS))

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

What a beautiful homegoing for him. Gentle, loving huggles my friend.

Kahri said...

Oh my goodness, Susan. Your wonderful, sweet, honoring post left me in tears. You did such a wonderful job of really describing him. I feel like I know him. The last part about the trucks and plane had me really crying. Thank you so much for sharing him with us.

So glad you are home and safe and sound. Hugs to you and Mickey!

Oklahoma Granny said...

What a beautiful celebration of a man's life. Chills ran up my arms when I read that a bagpiper played Amazing Grace.

Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss.

Unknown said...

What a wonderful ceremony, so sorry for your loss but so happy this man knew the Lord. Great farewell!!!

Mari said...

I'm sorry for your loss. It sounds like such a special memorial service.

Momma Roar said...

I'm sorry for your loss and he seems like he was such a huge part of everyone's lives. I think this post shows what a caring and special man he was.

When T's business partner (and cousin) died in a motorcycle accident, there were cement mixers in the line as we drove to the cemetary.

Sharon said...

I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I truly know what you are going through. I have loss 2 very special to me in the last week also.
God will continue to help us through all the sadness we are feeling.
Prayers for you and Mickey.

Susan Skitt said...

What a loving show of care from friends and family. Will be praying for you during this time.

In Christ,
Susan

Brenda said...

What a very special tribute. Looks like he was a very special man and will be missed.

Anonymous said...

Death to us on earth is always a sad thing. One thing that makes it a bit easier is the memories of a wonderful person.

I'm glad you were able to go and attend this service for your brother in law. I'm sure you were a blessing to all.

Joy said...

What a special way to honor this man. I'm so glad they let him be like he was in life. Love they left his pens and phone with him.
I know there was a reunion in heaven for him.
I'm sorry for you and your families loss.
♥ Joy

Mountain Mama said...

Oh my goodness!!! You wrote this so perfectly that I felt as if I were there. I even got tears.
You wrote this with your heart, dear.

I am so sorry you have lost such a precious soul. Of course you know it's only for a time then you will be together again. But for now we feel the loss sharply.
God bless and comfort you and all those who loved him.
Hugs & Prayers

kc bob said...

I'm sorry for your loss Susan. Asking our Father to be with your family during this difficult time.

Kathy said...

What a sweet tribute. Honor is written all over this post, and that blesses me!

Maxine said...

Sounds very much like the funerals we have. Sorry for your family's loss. Pray the Lord will be with his sons in the coming days.

Danny Wright said...

I'm so sorry to hear this. My Dad was similarly buried in a plaid shirt and jeans. You're right about southerners, they do know how to give a send off.

Debra said...

So sorry to hear of your loss. He sounds like he was a wonderful and respected man. God bless your family at this time.

Barbara said...

Sorry you lost such a good brother-in-law. Looks like a very American funeral. Mostly cremations here as we do not have the land for too many burials.