We were incredibly sad to see Shannon’s mother go to be with the Lord on October 15th. She was 59 years old. Although not a total surprise (see previous blog posts about Jerry Lee’s health – post from August ’05 and May ’08), she had been doing a good bit better earlier this year. However, since early September, she had taken a down turn and had been in and out of the hospital a few times.

Doctors said there was nothing more they could do medically. We had just spent a week with her Oct 5 thru 11, returned to Orlando and then got the call that Jerry Lee was rapidly going down hill and that we should come as quickly as we could. When you’re 700+ miles away with 3 kids, coming quickly is not really “quick” but we piled in the van and drove straight there. Amazingly, the Lord allowed her to hang on until Shannon and I arrived. She passed away within 15 minutes from the time we walked in the room. We’re so grateful for that.

Avery wrote and read a poem at the funeral. We wanted to share it with you, so if you like you may download the PDF file here.

Jerry Lee will be greatly missed. She was the best mother, mother-in-law and grandmother ever known. To say “this changes everything” is an understatement. Please continue to lift up Shannon, her brother Shawn and her dad Glen, who shared 39 great years of marriage with Jerry Lee.

A few photos from the slide show at the funeral: