Staci Elliott Hartman, Granddaughter August 13, 2008
Today, we are sad we lost a father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather. To some he may have been a friend, known as Mr. Elliott, Millard, Micky, and a devoted Baptist Tabernacle member. Oh, how he loved his church.
But to me and his family he was known as Papa – Papa Moo. What a privilege to have had a grandfather who was so loving, caring, and totally devoted to God and so eager to help others.
To Odie, Mama Elliott, grandma, as we call her, he was her husband and companion for 76 years. Papa was the patriarch of our family Papa had a long life from the army and many unknown journeys until his final journey to be with God in Heaven, a journey he had prepared for, lived for and was never scared to go on.
Papa had his share of medical issues in his life, but most recently was his shingles, which pained him so, his eyes that burned so badly, and finally his heart. During all of these he mentioned his pain, but his concerns were with who he felt he had to bother to take him to the doctor, and how it would effect Odie and his family. We have thanked Stan numerous times for his many trips to Richmond, where he drove Papa for medical visits to the Veterans Hospital. Our family appreciates all your time and friendship.
Growing up as grandchildren we would spend time with Papa when we could and come in the summers when school was out. We would ride to the country to “sell boxes” spend lots of time at the barber shop, and spend many homemade ice cream nights on the carport. Papa adored all of us and spoiled us. He was always the happiest when all his family would get together. The grin and the sparkle in his eyes showed. Papa always kept up with this great-grandchildren, always wanting to know about each of them and what each of them was doing. He was so proud of every one.
We enjoyed many times listening to Papa talk about his years growing up on a farm. How he had so many chores to do prior to walking miles to school, only having one pair of shoes, and how at Christmas, he would be so excited to find in his stocking oranges, nuts, candy and a 5 cent rubber ball.
Fishing was something he enjoyed. I remember after a hard days work, he would go to a creek and catch minnows and take us fishing for hours, happy that we were there never caring if he caught a fish, only that he was with us and we were catching fish.
Papa was so strong and even in the past few years when he developed a lot of pain and discomfort, his concerns were with Odie, making sure she was O. K. Even recently when the doctors felt he needed a pacemaker, and then after test decided that it was emanate that a valve in his heart needed to be repaired, his words to me were, “It is the worst decision I have ever had to make.” My response was that you need to do this to make you better. He responded,” What will Odie do? That would be too much on her going to Duke. Who will take care of her?” And amazingly last week, Odie was awakened to Papa crying and so upset. She asked what was wrong, knowing how bad he had been feeling, he said, “I want my family, my kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids to all be in heaven with me one day forever.”
Again that is another example, with all his pain and worries, he was thinking of his family. I truly believe God spared Papa from making his surgery decision, the pain, the anxiety, and worry.
Well, let me tell you Papa, we will be with you again one day. It is time for you to be pain free, worry free, and rest. We will look forward to the day we meet you in heaven and see that grin and that gleam in your eyes, when your family arrives. What a wonderful grandfather and person you were. We will see that Odie is taken care of. We miss you dearly. Until see each other again, “may you rest in peace.”
