In Memory of My Adoptive Mother (published 5-5-2023; article #410)

Introduction

This is the second of the “two very serious articles on family and heritage” that the humorous article from Saturday, 4/29/2023, mentioned. The first article today honored my mother-in-law.

I took the above photograph on Tuesday, when I started writing this article. The painting hangs proudly in our dining room. I look at it several times every day. This article's initial conclusion will explain the story behind that painting.

Please pause a moment before reading further to read My Mother's Birthday, 1/21/2021, at Age 91 (published 1-24-2021). Also, please read the December 2022 comments to that article. That article sets the background for this entry.

This article is in memory of my second, or adoptive, mother, Ozella McTigue Scott. My adoptive sister and I both call her Mother. The 1/24/2021 article, cited above, includes:

My Mother, Ozella Scott, is also the finest Christian example that I have ever known. (I can have two, my Mom and my Mother. They are equally the finest!)

Ozella McTigue Scott (1/21/1930--4/26/2023)

My wife and I had hoped that the Good Lord would wait to call my Mother heavenward, until after we could visit this summer. Regrettably, “life, such as it was,” and hindrances, especially since 3/29/2016, forestalled a much-desired visit to our Missouri family.

A summer trip to Missouri is still planned. The next visit with my Mother will be everlasting.

Homeward Bound!

On Wednesday, April 26th, my Mother was able to walk and jump like she did in her younger days. Her memory regained its brilliant clarity. She was perfect. Her hair didn't need to change from gray to black, since she never had gray hair. Of course, her Irish eyes didn't need to change. They continue to smile, as they always did, reflecting the sweet and everlasting soul behind them.

About 7:30 AM, on Wednesday, April 26th, the Good Lord called Mother to her heavenly home. My adoptive sister called to let me know. The phone beeped once, instead of ringing, as it usually does. I thought that a smoke detector had beeped. I figured out that it was the home phone. When I called my sister back to talk about our Mother's journey home, I mentioned the beep. My sister said, “That was our Mother!” You know, our home phone always rings like it should. That was the first time that it beeped. That beep, as I know in my heart, must have been our Mother, signaling that she had flown upward to her bright and everlasting home.

The Arrangements

I remember very well the good folks at McMikle Funeral Home. Our Mother's obituary is on their website: Ozella McTigue Scott, of Charleston, Missouri, Obituary: January 21, 1930 - April 26, 2023 (McMikle Funeral Home).

The memorial service was on Monday, May 1st. The obituary mentions that I would be one of two ministers officiating at the service.

My adoptive sister would have liked to have seen my wife and me, but she knew, graciously, that my “bionics” might not endure the approximate seven-hour drive. She also has her “bionics.” Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I wanted to make the trip. My “bionics” have endured only a few two-hour, one-way drives. Sitting too long returns my muscles to their traumatized memories. Walking, hiking, and moving around keep them more limber. Wisdom dictated another solution.

McMikle Funeral Home and the home studio for Appalachian Irishman - Podcasts had the technology. The honor and privilege of my part of our Mother's service was delivered virtually on Monday, May 1st.

My Message

The day after our Mother went to her everlasting reward, I composed my eulogy. I was alone, but I felt as if I were speaking live during the actual service. I tried to speak the words that I had prepared, but emotion frequently overcame my script. Emotion poured from my heart and soul more than I had expected.

My funeral message, honor, and tribute to our Mother is Ozella McTigue Scott (1-21-1930 to 4-26-2023) Funeral Message, by Marion W. Ferrell (on 4-27-2023).

I listened to that message only once. Early in the recording, I misstated that our Mother was 63 years old. I corrected that later to age 93. I did not want to rerecord to correct that error. Composing the message was difficult enough the first time. I may listen to my message again, but some time needs to pass first. If I hear myself again too soon, then the emotion will come back too quickly.

Initial Conclusion

In this initial closing, I'll explain the story behind the painting. I took the photograph below on the same day as the above photograph. The image below shows the upper left corner of the back of the painting.

Back in the late 1980s, I had asked my adoptive Mother, Ozella Scott, and my adoptive Momma, Ollie McTigue (who went to Glory on Thursday, July 11, 1991), to sign the back. They did, graciously.

The painting hung in the kitchen and dining area in the McTigue home. On many occasions when I enjoyed dining with the family during the noon meal, I admired the painting. I commented about the relaxing scene. A boy, a girl, and their dog were going fishing near a covered bridge.

The loving and kind spirits of my Momma and Mother gave me that painting! I tried to decline, but their caring insistence would not accept no for an answer. The painting hung in honor in the dining room of our homes, first in Charleston and then in Dexter, Missouri. It was stored safely during our five years in Russia (1994-1999). Lord willing, the painting will be our gift one day to a loving and caring niece. After this article is published, I plan to print and attach a copy of it to the back of the painting to explain the history behind the painting.

Final Conclusion

Hey, Sis! You and I had another good conversation by phone earlier today. Happy birthday today! No, I won't write how old you are, but you are my older sister! I'm your baby brother! Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I look forward, Lord willing, to visiting our Missouri family next month. Just keep the light on for us!

Your life continues to honor our Mother and our Momma. Their loving spirits live on in you. I know that you are passing along that same spirit to your children and grandchildren.

Dear Lord, as my written prayer, thank you for blessing me with my Mom and my Mother--the finest Christian examples that I have ever known. We, the family who are still here, await the time when we will join the unbroken and everlasting circle. In the name of Christ, our Savior, amen.