Ruth B. Massey, my sister and dear freind, made her transition on July 14, 2013, at the age of 98. She was preceded in death by her loving and faithful husband Rev. Benjamin F. Massey. At the time of his passing they had been married for 72 years.

While the funeral service that was held in Mobile (Prichard) was fitting for my saint sister and there were many participants on the homegoing program, here I will  only report on the small part I had in that service.

After singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" I reflected upon my relationship with my sister, emphasizing how she and her husband allowed me, after my graduation from high school in a distant hamlet, to enclose a porch of their small house and live with them even though they had what I referred to as "a house full of chillens." While living there before I enlisted in the military, my sister introduced me to my first music teacher and I've been singing every since.

During that service I ended my expressions singing this song that I composed:

Thank you for your presence and your love,
I want you to know that you meant so very
much to me;
You loved me but not because you needed me,
But you needed me and it was because you loved me;
O thank you for being my caring friend,
Without you my life would not be the same.
Your presence will never depart from me.
O yes, thank you for your presence and your love.

Interment of Ruth was at Benjamin Franklin Cemetery, located in Sunflower, Alabama, that was established by our Grandfather Benjamin Franklin Fields who was born during slavery. She and I were born in Sunflower.

Copyright 2013 by Uriah J. Fields