Granddaddy

Today is the 90^th birthday of a wonderful man who has touched countless lives, faithfully followed God’s call for his life, and has been a blessing to all who have come in contact with him.

Some people know him as Country Boy, from his days on the radio. Most know him as Brother Jimmy, from his days as pastor of Morningside and various other churches after he retired from Morningside. He has been part of so many people’s lives, from beginning to end, praying with them to receive Christ, baptizing them, officiating at their weddings and at their funerals.

While I agree with every label that has been put on him – a man of God, a leader, a minister, a friend, a mentor – He is something else to me too. He is Granddaddy. He loves sweets, he enjoys tinkering around on his computer, he is wise, kind, hilarious, is a great storyteller, and he makes me smile. He has 3 children, 7 grandchildren, and is on his way to having a whole heap of great grandchildren. :)

He read us books when we were little... sometimes falling asleep mid-story. He baptized me and was my pastor for the first several years of my life. Our entire family would gather at Grandmama and Granddaddy’s house every year for Christmas Eve. Any time there is a birthday party (and there are plenty now that there are so many great-grandkids around) he and Grandmama are there. Once we moved to Hamilton, he would walk over to our house every day, bringing the newspaper and looking for something sweet to snack on. We would usually have something on hand to sneak to him – something he could eat without getting caught by Grandmama. When I was in Basic Training, he wrote me a hilarious letter outlining everything I “should be glad I’m missing” from back home.

Last year my family went to the church in Pine Mountain Valley where Granddad is currently preaching. Watching him preach was just like it was when I watched him as a child. Memories came flooding back as I listened to him, and recognized the same mannerisms and gestures I had observed when I was a child. His booming voice in the pulpit has always been both intimidating and comforting to me.

During family get-togethers Granddad can always be found sitting somewhere quietly. But he does not look bored. He is watching everyone around him, and always seems to be prepared with something witty or entertaining to say. We would sometimes sit around the table after eating, telling stories, and I always enjoyed it when Granddad chimed in with some of his own. When Granddad talks, people listen. When he speaks, you can be sure you are about to hear something very wise or very funny. I know I speak for everyone in my family when I say we have a special place in our hearts for Granddad. We all feel the same way about him. We love him.

Of course, talking about Granddad is not complete without mentioning Grandmama. They are quite a pair, and they balance each other out perfectly. Grandmama has been faithfully by Granddad’s side during the entire journey, ministering to friends, family, and church members just as much as he did.

I like to think I’ve inherited some of my traits from Granddad. I, too, have a love of sweets (I’m eating a cookie as I write this). I love to sit back and watch people, and I typically will find something funny to say if I know someone is paying attention. I think I may have gotten some of my quirkiness from him. One of my favorite pictures of him is one of him wearing my little sister’s bicycle helmet (which was far too small of course), and he has a little grin on his face.

I wish I could go back to the 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s and see what Granddaddy was like when he was younger. But I imagine he was very similar to the way he is now. He has always been the same to me, always providing a sweet, quiet, comforting presence. I love you Granddaddy. Happy Birthday.