MORE THAN WORDS CAN EVER EXPRESS

So you may or may not know that on December 14, 2010 at about 10:30 PM, we lost my beloved Grandmother, Phyllis Hill, after 2 year battle with breast cancer. She fought a grueling battle, she led an extraordinary life, and was an amazing woman. She will be missed more than words can ever express. The things she did, the way she thought, and lessons she taught me are forever with me and will always influence my thoughts and actions. Here are a few things about my lovely Grandma:

The Obituary:

Phyllis Annette Megerle Hill, 79, of Arlington went to be with her Lord, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010, after a lengthy illness. Memorial service: pending. Phyllis was born Sept. 14, 1931, in Corpus Christi. She graduated from Incarnate Word Academy in 1949. She was a wonderful and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Janet, and one grandson, Richard. Survivors: Her devoted husband of 42 years, Billy T. Hill; twin sister, Patricia Megerle Booth; 10 loving children; 26 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren.

The Eulogy, delivered by my cousin Alex:

My grandmother, Phyllis Annette Hill was born on September 14, 1931 in Corpus Christi, TX. She had one sibling, her twin sister Patricia. Grandma graduated from Incarnate Word Academy in Corpus Christi in 1949, and she was homecoming queen her senior year in High School. Grandma was married to her loving husband Billy T. Hill for 42 years. Together, they had a wonderful family of 11 children, 26 grandchildren and 26 great grandchildren.

Grandma had a lot of friends and she always enjoyed being around them, but she had a special place in her heart for her two dogs Jack and Missy. Her friends always told her that they couldn’t believe that her teeth were still real because they were so white and so straight! She loved to sit and talk with people, and she could talk for hours about anything! She always had the nicest things to say. She was very close to her twin sister, whom she spoke with twice a day. Grandma always loved family gatherings and enjoyed the preparation of having the family all come over and discuss the plans for the Thanksgiving big meal. Her family and friends always loved her cooking.

She was a loving, compassionate, and strong woman, a devoted wife and mother, and she always had her heart open to the people coming in an out of her life. She found joy in so many things. Grandma really enjoyed traveling. Any time anyone mentioned they were ready to go out of town, she was the first person to have her bags packed and be ready to go. She loved to collect salt and pepper shakers and angels, but Grandpa loved to collect clocks, and after many years of collecting, they had to stop to it when they ran out of room to put them! Grandma enjoyed reading, love stories and mysteries in particular. And in her younger days, she loved to dance. She had recently developed a taste for Simply Lemonade. It was a very specific craving, and no other brand would do. We had quite a time trying to keep it in stock for her!

Phyllis Hill was one of the best people that you could ever hope to meet, she was loving and caring and thoughtful. She was the best mother, grandmother and great grandmother that anybody could ever ask for. She will be missed by all of her family and friends and lovingly remembered with every little thing that we do. Every one loves you and misses you, Grandma!

God bless that you are in a better place now with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

And a Poem for Grandma:

God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be,

So He put His arms around you and whispered, "Come to me."

With tearful eyes we watched and saw you pass away,

Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay.

A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands at rest.

God broke our hearts and proved to us that He only takes the best.

How About Another Poem (at her memorial service):

I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I'd like to leave an after glow of smiles when life is done.

I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

I'd like the tears of those who grieve

To dry before the sun of happy memories that I leave.

When life is done.

And a few pictures...

Love you Grandma, more than words can ever express.