THE BURIAL

 
Monday, June 29, 2015

The day started off by getting Mary Grace ready for the service scheduled for 11AM.

We took her to the funeral home to visit with John for the last time.  Present was: the couple she was staying with, Charlie, me and Faye Gamble, who was a friend of John’s and the City of Woodstock Town Clerk.

What a sad moment, Mary Grace sat by the coffin rubbing John’s chest and talking to him.  We then followed the Hearst to the grave-site.  Mary Grace was very alert, commenting on her outside surroundings.  When we pulled up at the cemetery I remember thinking how pleased I was that there was a good turnout.  There were family,  neighbors and friends.  Several were people I had spoken to on the phone but never met personally.  Tyler met Mary Grace at the car and gave her a 8X10 picture of John when he was a little boy. (I wish I had ask him where he got it.) When we were leaving I asked Mary Grace about the picture and she said it had been in her bedroom.   It was thoughtful of him to think about her. 

I recognized Tyler, Cami (Tyler’s girlfriend) and Jake (Tyler’s brother) but no one else in Tyler’s circle.  I can’t remember at what point I learned that Tyler’s mom was Mia Hicks.  I coached Mia in softball when she was younger. Well, we both were younger. LOL  I would have certainly spoke to her if I had known who she was.  She was a good kid and talented ball player.

Mary Grace had ask for Reverend Ben Corley to officiate the service. Even though he was the Pastor of First Baptist Church of Woodstock for many years, he was more like the community Pastor, loved and admired by everyone.  As always he did a great job.  Mary Grace has mentioned more than once she was so pleased. She stated “Bro Corley can speak in a manner that makes you forget about your grief”. (More about the service when I review the podcast)

With the conclusion, came the time for long overdue visits. Everyone was coming up to Mary Grace giving their condolences. I had two different people tell me that they would be happy to put up a gate at the entrance of the property. I told them that I appreciated it but really did not see the need.  After Tyler’s visit to the property on Wednesday night, I thought the trespassing situation was over.  I really had no hard feeling with Tyler.  I didn’t trust him, but I figured since he had been warned by the police we could sit down and work everything out.  At this point I had not sat down and talked to Attorney Downs. There were still so many unanswered questions.  I had a guardianship hearing on July 10th.

I realized that Mary Grace had been out in the heat too long–it was time to leave.  Tyler was speaking with her when I walked up–he said “Sorry Mama, they won’t let me talk to you”.  My reply was “Tyler I don’t know who you have been talking to but, you have the wrong impression of me”.

Just as we got Mary Grace settled in the car, Tyler walked up and showed her a child’s book. He told her that John had given the book to him to read to his kids and ask if he could keep it.  Mary Grace replied: “If John gave it to you then he must have wanted you to have it.”  ( Now I think he was just asking her permission to throw us off)  He took everything else he wanted without permission.

A family member then walked up to me and told me I needed to tell the director to ask everyone (sitting around the coffin) to leave so they could lower the coffin and fill the grave.   I did, and as we were walking back to the car I remembered THE NIPPLE RINGS. I walked back and ask the director about the rings and he stated something about the hooks and the rings could not be removed.   SO MY FRIENDS–THAT WAS THAT

Mary Grace and the family she was staying with were members of the same church and the ladies of that church had prepared a delicious meal for us. (You just can’t say enough about Southern Hospitality) After lunch Charlie went back to Mary Grace’s house and noticed more items missing.

Facts that we know so far:

There was only $ 98.69 in the checking account shared by Mary Grace and John Brooks.

I knew at one time that Mary Grace had money in the stock market.  Uncle Brooks was the one that dealt in stocks and left Mary Grace well provided for at the time of his death.  (I did not know who their broker was or their accountant.)

I knew that John also dealt in the stock market, he discussed it with me and Charlie every time we talked because he knew we also had money in the stock market.

John did not have a will 

I was told there was no money found for the dogs and no gold found in the freezer.     REALLY??????

I just have to mention this now:  I was surprised that John Brooks gave Faye instructions for the care of the dogs but did not mention care for his mother.

I did not know at this time, (It seemed that everyone else but me knew) there might be gold hidden on the property.

I still had not heard of Brian Reed or even knew he was at the service.

I did not know about the podcast.

I still did not know how Tyler fit into this picture   (only that Tyler worked for John Brooks.)

Did not know what had happened to the vehicles.

OK,  Let’s keep talking

Reta