52 Ancestors: Sara Snell Stafford

As I begin to share 52 of my ancestors over the next 52 weeks I begin with my sweet Mama. 

Oh, how I miss you, Mama! You are free from sickness and pain. For that I am grateful. Until we meet again.

When I started this blog my very first post was for Mama. 

In another post I shared this, from her funeral:

I will cherish every day I was blessed to have Mama. Her hands tenderly cared for me. Her kisses healed my pain. Her hugs calmed my fears. Her voice was a melody in my ear. Nothing compares to a mother’s love. It guided me through life in my early years and waited in the wings in my adult years. Mama has left us for a little while but her love will always be with us. Close your eyes and open your heart and there you will find her.

In 2012 I installed a Memory Medallion on her headstone. I need to update and add to the data and check it the next time I'm home for a visit.

Memory Medallion

Last month I installed a Memory Medallion on Mama's headstone at Riverdale Cemetery in Columbus, GA. While I haven't uploaded much to the file I am going through photos and noting things I'd like to share about her.

It is designed to share personal stories, photos, video and additional information. From the Memory Medallion site:

Some see a name on a tombstone. We see the stories, and moments, and accomplishments of a life. Some see a date of birth and death. We see all the stuff that happened in between. This is Memory Medallion®, a way to remember our loved ones like never before.

Using a (free) app, on a smartphone, you can scan the QR code on her headstone and see all that I have shared about her.

If you don't have a smartphone you can see the page at this LINK.

[[ part of what I shared at her funeral]]

I will cherish every day I was blessed to have mama. Her hands tenderly cared for me. Her kisses healed my pain. Her hugs calmed my fears. Her voice was a melody in my ear.

Nothing compares to a mother’s love. It guided me through life in my early years and waited in the wings in my adult years. 

Mama has left us for a little while but her love will always be with us. Close your eyes and open your heart and there you will find her.

I miss you Mama.

Memory Medallion

Several months ago I won a Memory Medallion on Facebook. Last week I installed it on my Mama's headstone. I haven't added much to the online file yet, but have plans to do so soon.

Here is what it looks like:

I am preparing a post about the installation. Until then, you can scan the photo above and see what I have online. I use a Droid X2 and downloaded the i-nigma app to scan QR codes.

You can find out more on Memory Medallion by visiting its website.

Merry Christmas

My most treasured Christmas decoration.
Nativity made by Mama in 1988

I've been on a blogging break...I think the year caught up with me.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior I wish many Christmas Blessings for you in the coming year.

Merry Christmas!

Another treasured decoration is the beaded bell below. The same year Mama made the Nativity set for us [pictured above] she also gave me a box filled with bells, crosses, candy canes, wreaths, little people, and 2 different types of stars. All hand made from beads of different colors. They will be passed on to Clayton one day.

Funeral Card Friday

When my little sister, Teresa, died in 2007 it was winter. Since she was cremated our family decided to wait until the spring to bury her and hold a memorial service.

During that time I knew the boiler plate memorials from a funeral home were not what we wanted to use.

I designed this version. Immediate family received a color copy and others a black and white copy. It is 8 1/2 x 11, printed on both sides and folded in half with half sheets for the insert. I created it in Microsoft Publisher but you could do the same with other software options.

With this we were able to share more about her than the traditional memorial card would offer.


Outside
Includes her drawings and signature

 

Inside: Notice the T
Includes many family photos we liked to make fun of.
Mama - did you really think our hair looked pretty like that?



Insert page
With family information



Printed copy

 My world, as I had known it, cracked that day. In 2008 my older sister, Denise, died. Three months later my precious Mama would also leave me.

Family

It's only appropriate that my first genealogy post be in honor of my Mama. I never could have imagined how she shaped the person I am until she was no longer with me. I miss you, Mama. You left us much too soon.

Mama 1943

Sara Estelle Snell Stafford
b. January 13, 1943 - Columbus, Muscogee Co., GA
d. February 27, 2009 - Columbus, Muscogee Co., GA
buried: Riverdale Cemetery, Columbus, Muscogee Co., GA

1991

May 2007

Mama had 5 daughters. Judine and Joycine died at birth. I am the only daughter living. The rest of my journey will be lonely without them.