Carol Ruth Hodges Yearwood
(09/12/1939 - 05/17/2021)
We are here to celebrate the impact, not the absence, of a great woman.
I am certainly not the person most knowledgeable about who Ms. Carol was, there was just not enough time. I can only bare witness to the encounters she and I had together as we made an effort to get to know each other. I think we did good, Mama.
In the short months we spent together, I was able to conclude that Ms. Carol was a kind hearted, strong minded woman who spoke fondly of her childhood, had a fierce love of the Lord and family, and a special
unbreakable bond with her sisters, Linda and Mary Sue. I remember one day sending her a text stating something like 'Thank you for raising such a fine son.’ She responded, “David loves you very much.” That simple response told me Ms. Carol was the no nonsense type and did not respond well to flattery.
The greatest piece of wisdom Mom Carol ever shared with me was “when you see DD you see his father.” I value those words so much. Those words allowed me a peek into the patience, love and sacrifices David Sr. made for his family. Those words bound us into a family. And I am grateful.
Dare I say that Ms. Carol refused to leave until she was good and ready? Can you just imagine God trying to convince her that it was time? “Well now Carol, you have been away for a spell, it’s time for you to come on home.” I always imagine God speaking with a country twang. And Ms. Carol would answer cool as a cucumber, “I really can’t tonight Lord, Rachel Maddow is on at 9 p.m., the puppies need me and besides, DD isn’t married yet.”
A cute story I would love to share with you, is of the three of us, Dave, Mom and I; driving down to St. Augustine, admiring the mansions, breathing in the fresh sea air and grabbing lunch before heading back. It was something we did frequently. Mom loved St. Augustine. I was sitting in the backseat because it was more comfortable for her to sit in the front and after a decent amount of pleasant chatter, we fell into a comfortable silence; . Well, I decided it was a good idea to belt out a few cords of Hee Haw’s “Doom, Despair and Agony on Me.” They both looked at each other but did not utter a single word. You would have thought I would have gotten the message and gone back to admiring the scenery after that non reaction, right? Oh no. I finished that rendition with “You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille” I have never mastered the art of “Peace be still” For those who need a Biblical reference: Matthew 8:26. I remember thinking, Gladys, you are never going to hear from this man again. Little did I know that both Mom and my now husband are both big Hee Haw fans!! I was forgiven. God is Good!!!
Ms. Carol was delighted when Dave and I decided to marry. She was tickled pink at the thought of becoming a grandma and great grandma on the same day. She began memorizing names and birthdays from day one. But more than that, Mom Carol was determined to be a good mother in law. She said as much to me. Actually gave me permission to let her know if she was ever mean or rude. I never did. Because it never happened. You did really well Mom. There is a saying somewhere that as long as we remember someone they will always be alive. The love I see displayed today tells me she will be around forever.
I found a cute poem among her things which is whimsical. I am sure Mom Carol kept it for a reason. Hopefully it will capture her great sense of humor along with her love of dear friends; it’s named When My Friends and I are Old.
When my Friends and I are Old
We shall wear Purple
We will spend our Saturdays seeking out
every Garage Sale within a 10-mile radius.
We will critique the bargains and say, “Oh, remember this -
I used to have one of these!” We will grocery shop all about town,
Hunting down the sales and tasting deli samples at each stop.
We will make promises to each other, like - never wear plastic rainbonnets -
Never wear nylon knee - hi’s with a dress - and always keep a pen and paper next to your bed so you don’t forget those night-time thoughts.
We will walk the Malls at six a.m. and wear shirts that say, “Grandmothers
Are Sexy”. We’ll have a glass of wine at dusk - gossip a little and giggle
Alot. We will do all these things and more - my friends and I when we grow old and start to wear Purple!!!
