The Martinez Mafia: Louise Rainey Masdon

It's been a little while because I found out that my grandmother passed away on April 18. Some of you may have known she suffered from dementia. She wasn't doing great the last few years. And although you want someone to be at peace, their death is still hard. Immediately after finding out, my first instinct was to fly out to Georgia where my grandparents live. But my grandfather assured me that there were tons of people already at the house taking care of him. Really, we were waiting on my Uncle Steve. He had just flown to Afghanistan, only to turn around and fly back. So we had to wait on his schedule to plan the funeral arrangements. We found out Friday she would be buried on Sunday, April 21 - my birthday. A little rough but special all the same. I don't want to talk about the family drama that consumed my poor grandmother's death but I will say one thing. If you don't get along with a person before and up until their death, you should not be allowed to speak at their funeral. Never. And be respectful. Keep your mouth shut. Don't wail at the burial. Be quiet and support the family that did love this amazing woman. I will share the speech that I gave at my grandmother's funeral. I think my grandmother would be proud. And I was honored to do so on my birthday.

"For those of you that don't know me. I am the oldest grandchild of Jerry and Louise. My name is Carmelle. We called our grandmother, Gumma, because apparently I had a really tough time with the word "grandmother" as a child and the name stuck. So Jerry and Louise became Gumma & Poppy. They were really the only grandparents that my brothers and sisters had and I can honestly say the best. Gumma taught us all of the most important life lessons. To us, Gumma was the true example of a southern belle. She was an excellent cook who always had a home cooked meal ready and waiting for any visitor, even the last minute ones. I can say that her love of cheese was passed on to all of us. And every time she served us cheese it came with our favorite quote "A day without cheese is a day without sunshine!" She was one of the classiest ladies we knew and always looked her best wherever she went. I think my five brothers and sisters can admit to being firmly scolded on several occasions with a "don't be ugly" that we now can be quoted to saying to our own children now. She and Poppy loved us more than I can describe and we never once felt like we were missing out on having other grandparents for a minute. Gumma embodied the definition of southern hospitality and when we came to visit she made sure to do all of our favorite activities, which included a lot of golf cart rides and she cooked all of our favorite meals, which included a lot of her famous spaghetti. She taught us so much about enjoying lie, and making the most of every minute together. We are so thankful for that. She will be missed. I can just see her now up in heaven admiring all the beauty and glory with a reaction of "Hot Dog!"

We love you, Gumma."

Here are some pictures discovered while out in Georgia.