Sunday 7/29

I finally have some free time to sit down and write a post. I have sat down to do this several times the past few days, but I always end up doing something else. It's hard. I've devoted this blog to Dad for the past 15 months, even though it was created a few years ago to keep family up to date on us Morgans..... mainly Gracie! =)
We want to thank each and every one of you for all the love an support you have given us these past 15 months. It's amazing to me to look at my blog and see several entries that had over 200 hits!!!!!!! It was very clear to us at Dad's visitation and funeral how many people cared for him. We were in awe! His service was wonderful and we know Dad would be so proud and honored. The words people have said about my father prove he was an amazing man. Of course we always thought this, but it's nice to know so many others felt the same!
Dad became sick and took a turn for the worse on Friday, July 13th. We knew then that our time with him was limited. I am so thankful our family of 5, along with many other close friends and family members were able to spend quality time with him that week. I'm not gonna lie..... I felt like I was between a rock and a hard spot. I wanted to spend every moment with my Dad, and had two kids to take care of at the same time. Thanks to my hubby for rushing back to Arkansas to be Mr Mom for a few days and to my family and wonderful friends for coming to the rescue an helping out with my kiddos. You all mean more to me than you will EVER know.
As you all know, Dad passed away on Thursday, July 19th. He had been sooo alert that morning, so this really shocked us. We had kinda started taking shifts on staying with Dad (except for Mom.... She was there 24/7... Only left for like an hour a day to run home and shower). However, it just so happened we were all with Dad when we knew he was passing away. The four of us were around his bed as he took his last breaths. I know God had a hand in all of us being there. He was so peaceful and we are so thankful for that. The Hospice nurse said it best.... He lived until he died. It still doesn't seem "real" to me. Even after seeing him in his casket, I just can't believe my daddy is gone. This past week has been hard on us. We have good moments and sad, sad, sad moments. Mom was saying today she feels like this is a bad dream and she's going to wake up to him walking in the house. I so wish that would happen. I would give anything.
We want to thank you for all of the phone calls, texts, emails, cards, food, flowers, donations and everything else all of you sweet friends have done for us. I can't tell you how blown away we have been by all of the things people have done for us.
I'll apologize if this post jumps around and doesn't read smoothly. I've had to stop and start back where I left off several times and I've lost my train of thought! I'll leave you with a picture. This is the reason for my interrupted blog post! Sooo worth it though!



I have to add that Gracie does not like to see anyone upset. She will see one of us crying and do her best to say or do something to make us laugh. I was weepy the other day and Gracie saw me. I dried my tears and showed her some smiles. She quickly asked me, "Mommy, you happy now?" Love her! =)

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Directions to the Graveside Service.....

Below are directions to the Graveside service in Tull, Arkansas departing from the Methodist church.

From: 1099 W Pine St, Heber Springs, AR 72543-2432 US
To: Ebenezer Methodist Church, 8319 N Main St, Benton, AR 72015 US

DRIVING DIRECTIONS
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A) 1099 W Pine St, Heber Springs, AR 72543-2432 US
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1. Start out going west on W Pine St toward N 11th St. (go 0 miles)
2. Take the 1st left onto N 11th St.
- First United Methodist Church is on the left
- If you reach Morton St you've gone a little too far
(go 0.24 miles)
3. Take the 1st left onto W Main St/AR-110.
- St Barnabas Anglican Church is on the corner
- If you are on S 11th St and reach W Searcy St you've gone a little too far
(go 0.27 miles)
4. Take the 3rd right onto S 7th St/AR-5/AR-25-BR. Continue to follow AR-5/AR-25-BR.
- AR-5 is just past S 8th St
- Smoke House Restaurant is on the corner
- If you reach N 6th St you've gone a little too far
(go 1.56 miles)
5. Turn slight right onto Heber Springs Rd S/AR-5/AR-25.
- Heber Springs Rd S is 0.5 miles past Estate Dr
- If you reach Bypass Rd you've gone a little too far
(go 1.17 miles)
6. Turn slight right onto Heber Springs Rd S/AR-5/AR-16/AR-25/AR-337.
- Heber Springs Rd S is 0.6 miles past Woodlawn Dr
(go 0.81 miles)
7. Turn slight left onto Little Rock Rd/AR-5. Continue to follow AR-5.
- AR-5 is just past Evergreen Dr
(go 9.9 miles)
8. Turn right onto AR-5/AR-36. (go 0.06 miles)
9. Take the 1st left onto AR-5 S.
- If you are on AR-36 and reach Hassel Way you've gone a little too far
(go 28.32 miles)
10. Merge onto US-67 S/US-167 S toward Little Rock. (go 16.94 miles)
11. Merge onto I-30 W via EXIT 153B on the left toward Little Rock. (go 21.79 miles)
12. Take EXIT 121 toward Alcoa Road. (go 0.14 miles)
13. Stay straight to go onto I-30 W Service Rd/I-30 W. (go 0.42 miles)
14. Take the Alcoa Rd South ramp.
- If you reach Deer Dr you've gone about 1.4 miles too far
(go 0.13 miles)
15. Turn right onto Alcoa Rd. (go 1.84 miles)
16. Stay straight to go onto Benton Pky. (go 2.59 miles)
17. Benton Pky becomes AR-35. (go 5.1 miles)
18. Turn right onto AR-190.
- AR-190 is 0.3 miles past Jensen St
- If you reach Kitchen St you've gone about 0.1 miles too far
(go 3.8 miles)
19. 8319 N MAIN ST is on the right.
- Your destination is just past Birch St
- If you reach W Cherry St you've gone about 0.1 miles too far
(go 0 miles)
--------------------------------------------------
B) Ebenezer Methodist Church, 8319 N Main St, Benton, AR 72015 US
--------------------------------------------------
>> TOTAL ESTIMATED TIME: 1 hour 58 minutes | DISTANCE: 95.08 miles

Jack Raymond Rhodes, Jr. died July 19, 2012. He was born on August 18, 1945 in Warren, Arkansas to the late Jack R. Rhodes, Sr. and Rita McClendon Rhodes. He grew up in Lake Village and graduated from Lakeside High School. Jack graduated from Hendrix College and attended the University Of Arkansas School Of Law in Fayetteville. He was in the insurance industry for 42 years and was owner of Jack Rhodes Insurance in Heber Springs, Arkansas.

Jack was active in civic and governmental affairs including serving as President of the Heber Springs Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club of Heber Springs, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow, Panther Booster Club and Thunderbird Country Club. He served on the Heber Springs Planning and Zoning Commission and The Civil Service Commission. He represented Cleburne County on the Board of The Delta Health Systems Agency and was appointed by Governor Bill Clinton to the Statewide Coordinating Council. Jack was chairman of the Board of Saline Memorial Hospital in Benton and Cleburne Memorial Hospital in Heber Springs. He was chairman of the Board of the Cleburne Health Foundation and board member of the Community School of Cleburne County. Jack served as a board member of the Cleburne County Library System. He was also president of The Old State House Museum Associates Board of Directors, member of Arkansas Independent Insurance Agent Association and a member of the Red Apple Country Club.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Dicey Jacobs Rhodes and three children, son, Brett Rhodes, Daughter Anna Kathryn Morgan and her husband Josh, all of Heber Springs, and daughter, Caroline Rhodes of Little Rock, as well as two grandchildren, Gracie and Carley Morgan. He is also survived by his brother, Marty Rhodes and his wife, Tricia of Little Rock as well as nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Heber Springs on Sunday, July 22, from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm.

The funeral will be held at First United Methodist Church in Heber Springs on Monday, July 23 at 10:00 a.m.

Interment will be at 3:00 p.m. at the Ebenezer United Methodist Church Cemetery in Tull, Arkansas.

The family would like to thank the Staff at Seven Springs Health and Rehabilitation Facility and Cleburne County Hospice for all the loving care they provided.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church (1099 W Pine, Heber springs, AR 72543) and Cleburne County Hospice.

Arrangements

My sweet Daddy passed away today around 4:35 pm. All 3 of us kids, Mom, our preacher and the Hospice nurse were with him and he went peacefully.
The arrangements are as follows:
Visitation Sunday 5-7 pm Heber Springs First United Methodist Church
Funeral Service 10 am Monday Heber Springs First United Methodist Church
Graveside service 3 pm Monday Ebenezer Methodist Church Cemetery Tull, Ar
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Tues 7/17

9:00 am
Not really any change in things. Dad is still holding on, but he is so weak. He slept really well last night and he's sleeping now. He opened his eyes a bit ago and asked me for some ice chips. He tells us "thank you" for everything we do and tells us he loves us each time we talk to him. His voice has now become a faint whisper. Yesterday morning he was using hand motions with Mom and I. He had us giggling!
We thank you all for the phone calls, texts, emails, visits, food, love, prayers and support. We can't reply to them all, but please know we've received them and appreciate each and every one.

Caroline and Dad just did the "Hotty Toddy" chant! Dad mouthed all the words and he said he was ready for football!!

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Saturday 7/14

Things are about the same. Dad has been resting the majority of the day. He has had his eyes open some and been mouthing words and pointing to us. He is very weak. My friend Sarah was here this afternoon and said something about the Razorbacks and real faintly he said "Wooo Pig!" =)
We sat as a family of 5 around Dads bed early early this morning. I think we all said "I love you" to each other a thousand times. We are all cherishing this time with Dad. What a long long 15 months it has been.... Dad has been through so much. He is such a strong man and I couldn't be prouder of him. These past 24 hours haven't been easy for us, but we just want him to be comfortable and pain free and so far he is.... Praise the Lord!
My brother wrote this early this morning. Of course none of us have really had any sleep.... Can't seem to be able to close our eyes for long.
To my dad.... I love you so much and I know that youre dying and its killing me to let you go. I knew this would happen one day, but I didn't know it would be so soon. I know we haven't spent a lot of time together over the years, but I do love you and I know that you tried to be the best father that you could be to me and for that thank you and you're always in my heart. I love you my dad.




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Friday 7/13

11:30 pm
Dad is still holding on. He has been resting so peacefully today and we are thankful for that. We know our time with him on this earth is coming to an end and we are cherishing these final moments with him. He has had periods of alertness today and has been mouthing words and pointing his fingers at us. We are just so thankful he has had a peaceful day. We are with him tonight. He keeps opening his eyes and occasionally waves across the room at us.
We thank you all for the prayers. Dad is truly a well loved man!

3:30 pm
Please say a prayer for my family. Dad is not doing well and things aren't looking good. We are all with him now. Won't be long before he passes.
I love my Daddy sooooo much.
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Sunday 7/8

Better late than never is my motto these days!!!!! I've started writing posts 3 times now and I've been interrupted or fallen asleep, so let's try this again!
Dad is about the same. He's lost more weight and it's harder for us to understand him. He does seem to be a lil more "there" mentally. I haven't been able to see him daily like I used to and I hate that. I cherish the time I do get to spend with him though. We've both shed some tears together over everything that's happened.

We brought dad home a few weeks ago and we all enjoyed his visit. We sat on the patio and he checked the backyard out. He gave Josh instructions to cut limbs down from a tree and water plants more! Lol






Here he is "instructing" away!!!

And here is the main reason for my lack of blogging!



This little girl is the queen of our world these days!!!! Thank goodness she's adorable! =) We are ALL enjoying her!










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