Cook Book Alert

No, we haven't taken your money in a cook book scam. I have not been involved in the nitty gritty of trying to get the book republished, but the girls have had a terrible time with the old publisher and they finally said they didn't want to do it.

So after making us wait all this time, the Boleys got together one afternoon and made it happen. We include pictures of the book coming together and abundant "Thanks" for the patience you have shown.

Raymond has been driving a tender truck for Crop Production during during the planting season. It has kept him very busy. Devona reports that he is keeping the house very neat and clean. I don't need to tell you how proud we are of him. He is trying to do his best.

He says the extended Boley family members who attend South Boston are a great comfort to him in trying to get back to participating in life. Thank you so much for being there for him.

I don't intend to continue posting, we just wanted to let you know the book has actually happened! Thank you for following Betty's blog. The blog has received nearly 10,000 hits since it was started. Thank you for caring!

Our Star

In one of the stars, I shall be living.

In one of them, I shall be laughing.

And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing when you look at the sky at night.

~ The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Betty, Devona, and Sharon Oct. 9, 2010

Goodbye Sweet Mother

The Benediction

Granddaughter Katie’s Benediction

Granddaughter, Katie Wildman, was not able to participate in the creative preparations for her grandmother's funeral, including the programs and caramels. Tearfully, from Iowa, she asked what she could do to contribute. She chose to edit and polish the volume of rough notes for the service knowing I was too sick to complete the task.

When plans for the service started getting long,

Katie, selflessly, chose to be eliminated from the funeral program.

Although you have been reading the long, unedited version of Betty's life's story,

Katie's edited version was beautiful.

I offer her personally penned benediction as a closing.

Thank you, Katie, for being the person you are.

Quilting is a thoughtful process.

From choosing the fabric, to measuring and stitching the seams;

Each step has a special place in the overall design.

Each of you contributed to the blocks in her life.

We are warmed and comforted by your remembrances and thoughtfulness.

The quilt of Betty’s life is very, very beautiful.

Quilters The Conclusion

And the musical concluded..........................

How come you quilt so good Mother?

If you make careful plans It will come out right.

Everything has a time; I’ve been hurrying to get my quilts finished.

I leave the work of my hands to you my children, All of my love and blessings.

May it bring you as much joy as it brought me.

By the way,

When you bury me, don’t bury me in my best quilts,

I want you to take them and keep them and pass them on.

I hope you will share with my grandchildren and my great grandchildren,

And tell them the stories that are in them.

Quilters Part 17

Friendship Star Quilt Block

Dennis: Mom never said no for a chance to have people over for a party. Maybe it was an insult for them not to come.

"Grandma Boley always loved cooking for friends. She enjoyed having family and friends over to their house to eat and visit. This tradition has lasted through her life, and still today she loves to entertain and play games. Our favorite is Chicken Foot. Grandma has been able to collect many different recipes from church functions and quilting groups." Sharon

The central block of Betty's life has been surrounded with blocks of

childhood, school, marriage, family and friends. The last block of her life's quilt was stitched during Betty’s visitation and funeral. Over 800 friends and relatives lifted Raymond to another dimension with love, support and generosity to their church.

Betty knows your kindnesses to her family.

Quilters Part 16

Trip Around the World Quilt Block

Betty loved to travel. The pictures of her early marriage show lots of trips to visit relatives in Iowa, Texas and Oklahoma. When their family arrived and they bought the farm, traveling days were over for a while.

They did join another church family, taking their children to the St. Louis Zoo. They stayed in a hotel room and the fathers brought in a new delicacy, McDonald’s hamburgers. Having grown up in the Louisville area and understanding the idea of White Castles we ordered accordingly. When the bags arrived, we tasted the burgers with mustard and catsup and we didn’t eat them.

When Raymond joined the REMC and Federal Land Bank Boards they traveled the US. When daughter, Devona’s, family moved while in the Air Force, there was reason to travel again. Grandchildren went to college calling for more trips and then it became necessary to travel to Copenhagen, Denmark to visit a granddaughter. Raymond was happy for Betty to go, but he didn’t want to spend money to look at old buildings. So Betty and Sandy visited Katie and joined a whirlwind tour of Europe. Betty was so excited, it was a dream come true, there was so much to see!

A trip to Alaska was necessary to visit Katie again, so a van was purchased, traveling companions solicited, and a seven week trip commenced. It was suggested that a cell phone would be a good idea. After thinking about it Betty replied, "I’ll buy the phone, but I don’t think I need to pay for all that service. " Truer words were never spoken!

Family trips to Emerald Isle and Patoka Lake were highlights for the family. When Betty and Raymond celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, Betty determined she wanted quality family time. Devona helped her rent condos on Emerald Isle on the East Coast. The week’s beach adventure included treasure hunts, delicious food, and Granddaughter, Lindsey, loosing teeth. Saving Private Ryan was the movie that premiered that summer and Katie and Karoline turned 21. We had so much fun, we returned a second year.

It was for their 60th anniversary that cabins were rented on Patoka Lake. Devona and Steve provided their boat, and Sandy acquired the nickname, Aunt Soapy Face when she overdid the sun screen to entertain the kids.

Dennis, Jill and Rayanne took Betty and Raymond to a resort in Central America where Betty experienced the full spa treatment and Raymond enjoyed the hijinx of Caribbean entertainment.

Betty's cup runneth over.

(Pictures include Lucerne, Copenhagen, England, Amsterdam and Venice)

Quilters Part 15

More Wedding Ring Quilt Blocks Steve Burns: One is all the time hearing jokes, negative comments, smart remarks, etc. about the in laws. I hear them, and sometimes laugh, but then think how fortunate I am to have the father and mother in law that I have in my life, along with their daughter. Jokes and smart remarks aside, you both are awesome and I thank God for being blessed with your support through all these years, especially when I had Devona and the kids off in all parts of the country. Thank you for always being there.

Jill Byrer Boley: My daughter’s best qualities can definitely be attributed to the Boley genes. Thank you for the time you have spent with her. You are both model grandparents, and the love and influence you have had on her and the other grandchildren is priceless. Every meal together is a special occasion. Of course I have fondly referred to our gatherings as the ‘Boley Eat-a-thon’, where you leave your willpower at the door!!

Tom remembers: I remember the day trip of driving Lindsey, Scott, Sharon, Grandpa, and Grandma Boley around the Amish country near Montgomery, Indiana. We drove all over the countryside trying to spot Amish families and stopped at Amish stores, but had little luck of seeing many that day. Grandma once again reminded us that we could of gone to Wal-mart and seen all the Amish people we wanted to.

Quilters Part 14

Star of Bethlehem
She made the most of all holidays. Christmas didn’t matter when as long as we were together. There were Fresh Christmas trees from the woods and presents wrapped in comic paper.

Dennis: Our family took full advantage of all holidays, going all the way with whatever traditions that happened to stick. What mom and dad said was a little was always more than we needed when gifts were handed out. Togetherness and fun must have been what they were trying to instill in us.

Sharon: The Greatest memories of any holiday is the fact that we are together as a family. Christmas fun always begins with great food like Mom’s cookies and egg nog.
Mom and Dad seemed to always have special gifts for the grand kids like matching clothes, jewelry or skunks. Dad called the little kids poll-cats, so Mom made the kids stuffed skunks. Then Sandy started the yearly gift exchange of ugly shoes, which were old, but somehow Mom ended up with chicken shoes.

Quilters Part 13

Sun Bonnet Sue and Sid Quilt Blocks

And then the Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren arrived:
The grandchildren shared many memories of time with grandma. As with most families, themes of food and cooking are center stage. They remember warm bowls of cream of wheat and fluffy French toast lovingly prepared for breakfast when they spent the night. Delightfully soft Christmas caramels individually wrapped in wax paper squares, homemade eggnog and oatmeal cookies are other grandchildren favorites.

They remember working in the garden to pick vegetables. Picking tomatoes was a highlight, because a salt shaker always went with them so they could appropriately taste the tomatoes! They also loved snapping beans and seeing who could fill one of Grandpa’s boots first.

When they weren’t in the garden, they went over the hill to get the mail, took walks, hayrides or chopped wood. Of course when you spent all that time having outdoor adventures, you got dirty and that meant bath time! Grandma would sing See Saw Margery Daw as she bathed the girls and always had a fun time getting everything clean!

More recently they have taken sewing and cooking lessons from her. One request, chicken and dumplings, and another, how to develop lumps in cream of wheat like Grandma. The latest adventures had them learning to milk a cow and make butter.

There were thoughtful and sometimes funny hand crafted items. She created stuffed skunks for her grand kids since grandpa always called them “pole cats.” She made aprons and chef hats, purses and wall hangings. She made prom dresses and entered us as models for fashion shows of her work….

Rayanne: My favorite memory was last summer when Grandma and I did volunteer work together at the Refugee Center in Louisville. My favorite thing was Grandma Boley’s toast! Turns out it was only Texas toast with margarine, but apparently it was the way she did it!!
I was such a picky eater as a child, sometimes Grandma would make me toast at gatherings since I wouldn’t eat anything else!!!

She loved whole-heartedly and without judgment. She welcomed new and perspective family members with open arms and treated them as part of the family.

The great grand children also received Betty’s love in abundance. So much so that Karson took his favorite stuffed animal for her to sleep with during her last night on earth. In her last days she longed for Karson’s wit, Abbagail’s singing and the tender touch of Raleigh.

Quilters Part 12

Flower Garden Quilt Block

Betty desperately longed for a home on one level but until the day Raymond saw the “house of his dreams” while delivering equipment, a new house was out of the question.

The new house turned out to be a three level A Frame set in a beautiful wooded area on their farm. It had a kitchen on two floors. Betty worked tirelessly on tall ladders to stain and varnish the vaulted ceilings in the beautiful home. This was a far cry from the one level home she desired. She developed gardens that held flowers gathered from family over the years. Her gardens at the A Frame were spectacular, creek rock and all.

Granddaughter, Kendrah remembers: We had so many memories in the A Frame house. I can still remember that house so clearly from the plaid carpet, to the red bathroom, to the most comfortable bed ever, to the gas pump at the end of the drive way to the hidden key. Growing up, that house was about my favorite place to be. I thought surely the world would end when the A frame days were over, but instead I learned something special about our family. No matter how amazing the house, it wasn’t what I loved so much. It was the love and security that I felt from my family.

Quilters Part 11

Hands All Around Quilt Block

When her children went to college, Betty accepted a job for a few years as Head Cook at the local Lexington Elementary School. She claimed she saved every penny to pay tuition, except for a Christmas present or two. Her expert cooking advice prompted a recent cookbook, Dining With The Boleys, also published by her grandchildren, Kendrah Burns and Karoline Burns Gantt.

Dennis said, It was good when Mom got a job at the school cafeteria. We got to ride to school with her and always knew what we were going to have for supper in advance.

Using exquisite sewing skills, Betty taught sewing and quilting classes and produced many award winning quilts.

Quilters Part 10

Tumbling Blocks Quilt Blocks

There are funny and poignant moments associated with Betty’s children.

Betty and Raymond learned the term, “Pre-existing condition,” when Blue Cross refused to pay hospital bills. Daughter, Sandy, suffered from innumerable kidney infections and at age four underwent exploratory surgery. Three kidneys were found. One immature infected kidney damaged the normal kidney to which it was attached and both were removed.

Even a trip to the Indianapolis office of Blue Cross did not solve the problem.

Devona endeared herself to her family at a young age by asking her grandmother to, “Hot this Potato.” She was always the tender hearted, kind and nurturing person she is today. Raymond recently said, “Devona and I are just a like you know.” Devona was born on Raymond’s birthday. He rewarded Betty with a washer and dryer. Betty reminded us as we reclined by her hospital bed in the lounge chairs provided in today’s modern hospitals that when Devona was hospitalized with respiratory problems, Betty found a board that she placed between two chairs and used for a bed.

Dennis tended to stray while Betty hung clothes on the line so she learned to tie him to the clothesline via his overalls. Betty shared that one of her most precious memories of Dennis occurred in the car. He was about 4 standing in the front of their old auto which featured an extra tall front window. Betty demonstrated his eye and hand movements as she recalled his words, “The prayers go up, and the blessings come down.”

We also delighted in taunting him with an ugly red rubber mule that brayed mournfully. He would cry mournfully in return to Betty's dismay. He called road graders, “Wheel Sippers” and begged to visit Doc and Miss Kitty when we passed a bar in Hamburg, IN called “The Long Branch.”

And then there was the day that Betty lost Sharon.! Betty and other mothers drove multiple carloads to a 4-H club picnic. Dennis recalled, “I can even remember the time she stopped a line of cars in the highway to discover that Sharon had been left behind at Starve Hollow Lake, so she headed back to the park to find her swinging and having fun.”

Sunday dinner was especially delicious after Betty found Sharon’s pet rooster attacking her. Sharon, laying prostrate in the yard, survived the experience but tended to prefer cats and dogs after that.

Devona: "I consider us a family who got to experience the true American life – fresh plowed fields to walk in, hikes on Sunday, sled riding in the snow, fresh tomatoes from the garden, decorated bikes at the community parade, aunts and uncles we really knew, fresh baked goodies, hayrides and lots of friends."

Dennis: "For most of our childhood we were always included in whatever was going on. We always had some expectations of us. Seasonal gardening always brought interesting times. We inspected the garden seed in those little brown bags or pouches, made the rows for the seed and covered the seed with soil after they were dropped with perfect precision. We fought the weeds all summer long, but everyone hung in there until the end. You know, I think that probably taught us to have fun in whatever we were doing. Watch ya got in our early days in the Boley family was the feeling of togetherness, never going without what you really needed, dreaming big but never going passed your resources, and always trying to help someone less fortunate than yourself."

On October 9, 2010, one week before Betty's pancreatic cancer was diagnosed,

we all gathered to provide a community wide 90th birthday celebration for Katie's Grandmother Wildman in Dupont, Indiana. When friends commented on the support Katie received in producing the event Betty remarked,

"Where you find one of us, you find us all."

Quilters Part 9

Dresden Plate Quilt Block
Betty used very little money to make her home beautiful. She scrubbed the ancient smoke encrusted woodwork with ammonia and Spick & Span. She had hand me down furniture that she learned to upholster and reupholster time and again. She made the curtains herself, chopped an old library table and brass bed into parts and wired her own lamps. She learned to wall paper those 10 foot ceilings using a broom to hold the paper in place and a key on a string to keep the seams straight on the side walls.

She refinished the furniture Raymond found on a junk pile behind the Sellersburg business where he worked. He was too lazy the day her Grandmother Prather's beautiful bedroom furniture was offered to her to go get it. Was he forever in trouble!

And just as her grandmothers had taught her, she sat the old oak table with linens and silverware, filled the cut glass wedding present bowls with spring salads or bananas covered in chopped peanuts, and taught her family the etiquette of entertaining.

On special occasions she filled the punch bowl she bought for ten dollars full to the brim with strawberries from the garden. For Devona’s eighth grade graduation Sandy proudly carried the bowl from the kitchen to the dining room, slipped on a rug on the hard wood floor and the strawberries ended up on the ceiling, the wall paper and floor. That meant another trip to the garden for the second best berries of the day.

Quilters Part 8

Log Cabin Quilt Block

Betty and Raymond saved money and eventually made their home on a farm in Lexington, Indiana, but the purchase of their first farm was a test of patience. Laura Robbins and her brother inherited the Lexington farm Raymond and Betty wanted to buy. Laura wanted a new car, specifically, a blue four door Chevrolet. Her husband refused. Laura’s brother refused to sell the farm unless Raymond could get Laura’s husband to agree to the car.

Raymond, an employee of McCammon Prather Chevrolet, asked Mr. Prather about the situation. Mr. Prather told him to order the blue car saying it could always be put on the lot for sale if the Robbins decided not to buy it. Raymond delivered the car to Laura Robbins’s driveway and the sale of the farm was finalized.

Betty and Raymond saved half the money for the purchase of the farm, but they needed to borrow the remaining four thousand. The key to obtaining a loan at that time was to buy a farm with a tobacco base and they planned to raise the tobacco together. Betty didn’t really have very much to do; just restore the house, the yard, the garden, the kids, their clothes, the laundry and the meals………. so she tried to help with the tobacco. It turned out she was very allergic.

Raymond took on the farming, tobacco, and kept his full time job of sales. Raymond’s mother worried that her son had bitten off more than he could chew. Neighbor Grover Martin taught Raymond the art of raising tobacco and they eventually used the tobacco money to buy Betty’s first electric Singer sewing machine!

Many have speculated that Betty’s mother paid for their farms or at least gave them low interest loans. Those that know Raymond know his thriftiness, and those who knew Betty knew her resourcefulness, and those that know the family know they know how to work. Ruby did not supply funds, but there was a perk from having Ruby as a mother-in-law………….. they were able to “order the blue car” that started the whole thing.

Quilters Part 7

Wedding Ring Quilt Block
Raymond said he had to save a thousand dollars before he would marry. After saving the money, he bought her an engagement ring from the Sears and Roebuck Catalog. On April 9, 1948 they were wed at Pleasant Grove Church near Charlestown, Indiana. Raymond’s sister, Ida Boley Whitlatch, and Betty’s brother, Allen McCammon, were their attendants.
After they were pronounced man and wife, they kissed, walked back the aisle and right out the door. They got in the car and left; no goodbyes. The newlyweds stayed in the Hillside Inn in Madison before heading to Renfro Valley, Kentucky for their honeymoon.

Quilters Part 6

Rocky Road Quilt Block

She met the boy, Raymond Boley, at age 10 when her mother’s twin sister, Ruth Prather Ganote, took them to visit old friends and former neighbors, the Boleys. But she met the man, Raymond Boley, when mutual friends introduced them many years later. Raymond saved money and purchased his first car, a Model A with a rumble seat. As most young men in the prime of life he was adventurous. On one of their first dates he mistakenly turned on a railroad spur and they experienced the thump, thump, thump of trying to get to safety.

It was a rocky road!

Their courtship didn’t end there. Raymond loved to take Betty to his favorite drive in and ask for slop sandwiches. After the car hop got to know him, she delivered his order, potato peelings between two heels of bread. He tipped her a penny and she returned it commenting, he needed it worse than her.

Quilters Part 5

Betty in Center

Brother, Allen, and Betty McCammon

Betty McCammon 1947

Old School House Quilt Block

Betty attended grade school and high school in Sellersburg, graduating from Silver Creek High School in 1947. She became a wise student when she learned to avoid being the first to give book reports. It seems their teacher always fell asleep and most got by without giving reports. We’re not sure she ever learned the facts of life because her mother made her go to church that night instead.

Quilter Part 4

Betty Riding Judy

Grandmother’s Fan Quilt Block

So Betty learned about a happy home and family from her Grandparents. She remembered hooking a buggy to their pony, Judy, and going to Grandmother Prathers where aunts, uncles and cousins made life interesting. Her McCammon Grandparents offered a place of solace; there too were family members who loved and cherished her. Those relationships flourish to this day. The McCammons meet for monthly lunches. The Prathers are always nearby, especially at South Boston Opry on Friday nights.

Quilters Part 3

Cousins, Delores and Wilma with Little Betty as
her father, John Lester, observes.

Four Square Quilt Block
Betty grew up in a small four room home on Scheller Avenue, next to the Catholic Church in Sellersburg. Her mother, Ruby, was a shy reserved person and her father had a bigger than life personality that made everyone love him. Their home was filled with laughter, but devastation hit the family when Betty’s father died unexpectedly from pneumonia. She was nine. Betty had fond memories of her loving father. She remembered him blowing smoke in her ears to cure ear aches and walks downtown on Saturday nights. One night they shopped at the local furniture store and purchased a child’s table and two chairs that Betty has cherished. The sweet memory still sits in her dining room where many generations of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren have continued to play.

Quilters Part 2

John Lester McCammon and Ruby Alice Prather

The Tree of Life Quilt Block

Betty’s parents, John Lester McCammon and Ruby Alice Prather, grew up on adjoining farms in Clark County, Indiana. They attended the same one room school, courted and married after Lester could support a family. From this union arrived Betty and her big brother, Allen.
Betty’s father and grandfather, Walter Barnes McCammon, converted a livery stable into what would eventually became Clark County Motors, a Ford dealership. During one new Chevrolet car delivery to Floyd Knobs by competitor, Albert Diefenbach, a pig ran into the spokes of a wheel and destroyed the wheel. Disappointed with the performance of the wheel, he dropped the Chevrolet line and the McCammon’s Clark County Motors became a Chevrolet Dealership. They later added Allis Chalmer tractors to their merchandise line.

Trouble with posting

I'm going to start the stories of Betty's life entitled Quilting over again. I had been preparing them ahead of time, but found I can't post them at a later date. They will only post to the day I actually prepared them. Look through the first few posts to make sure you haven't missed anything.

Raymond went to work today. He didn't mean to. He had planned to walk more and visit with his friends at Leroys, but he made the mistake of stopping to see what was going on at Crop Production. First he went to Lanesville and back followed by Hibernia and back, then back to Hibernia. He did stop by home but ended his day with a trip to Salem and back. It was about 9 when he sat down for a good dinner Jill made. He ate it all! It didn't take long for him to find his bed. As I write he is trying to stay awake to hear the news.

Mailing Christmas cards from Bethlehem, Indiana each year is a Boley family tradition. Raymond wants to take the thank you notes to Bethlehem for mailing. We'll see how long it takes him to get a day off so that he can. They're written!

"Quilters", the Musical

In the 1980s a wonderful new musical told the story of a quilting mother and the quilt of her life. The central block of the quilt was called The Tree of Life and through song, the mother told her birth story. Each additional block added around the central block set the stage for an explanation of the block's origin and meaning.


I had no idea when I saw the musical at Actor's Theater so very long ago that my own mother's story would mirror the musical play's central theme. Betty Boley has spent her last years quilting a legacy for her family. With effort to approximate the words written by Molly Newman and Barbara Damashek, the curtain rises on the central character holding a quilt. Pointing to a particular fabric choice, the musical begins something like this.............


My dear darlings,
I know my time is running out and I am piecing my last quilt;
Patterns that have a special meaning to me.
I’ve been a hard worker all my life.
Most all women’s work is the kind that parishes so
I’ve got to leave something behind me.
I hope you will give special care to it.
I hope you will be able to read what is written in it.
In some ways it’s your own story.............

Betty's "Celebration of Life" Memorial

Betty's Memorial Table

Devona Boley Burns , Sandy's daughter- Katie Wildman,

and Devona's daughters, Kim and Kendrah Burns

Dennis Boley with Tom and Sharon Boley Meneou and Friend

Dennis and Jill's Church Friend with Sandy Boley Wildman

Betty's McCammon cousin, Suzette Green Nunley,

from Owensboro, Kentucky

Raymond's Joy

Raymond's happiest moment in the day is revealing the number of golf balls he discovered. The smile and giggle he shares as he digs into his pocket and shares his find is priceless. He won't let you touch them until he gives them a bath.

It is our duty as family and friends to ask him daily about his discoveries. Yes, friends, we must.

He found six yesterday, and today he noticed four without even getting out of his car. Jill's friend, Belinda, happened to witness the happy smile on his face and took this picture for us. Thank you, Belinda. Please don't tell the folks at the club house they need to be more careful. They would spoil Raymond's joy.

He asked me to bring in pictures left in the car. It was the portrait of Betty from the front table. He took one look and felt the pain. He lost his smile for the evening.

The Boley Family

The Boley Cook Book

The cook books have been ordered. A few extras were ordered, but they have been spoken for. If you have a change of heart, let us know because one person got her request in too late.
If there is more interest we can reorder, but of course, that will take time.

Those of you who put your order in when we first announced have had to wait a long time. As it turned out, the wait has allowed the people who saw the cook book at the funeral to add their orders. People who do not follow the blog were unaware it was available. That was an awkward situation. One doesn't usually sell things at a funeral.

Thank you to Devona's daughter, Kendrah, for starting this project. She spent many many hours with Betty sorting family recipes. Karoline and Katie spent many hours over Christmas trying to edit the book so Betty would get to see it. Since it was a rush job, we treasure the editing errors of those first books because we know they were desperate to finish before Betty's death. My personal favorite was , "prinkle with a little sal!" We only printed enough for our immediate family. We never dreamed Betty's first cook book would be a best seller. To us printing about 100 fits into the best seller category. Can you imagine selling a hundred copies of your recipe collection?

We enjoyed seeing the editing "post it notes" Kendrah had in the cook book preparing for its second printing. They were abundant. This time we'll blame overlooked mistakes on the tears that filled our eyes. I hope you'll enjoy the mistakes with us.

And those of you who get the second printing will have Betty's great grandson's favorite recipe. Karson loved Betty's lemonade. Smile when you make it! We do.

The Boley Family

Raymond Cancels Credit Cards

There are more notes on Betty's service but I'm taking a break to tell you about Raymond's day.

Raymond decided he would pay for the funeral today and was told it was the largest funeral they had ever had. Raymond estimates about 800 attended over the two days. Then he decided to have coffee with his Buddies today. I think this is a good sign. He visited his sister, Ida, and shopped for his favorite cookies at Save a Lot. He likes the oatmeal cookies with icing.

Raymond started calling to cancel catalogs this afternoon. The first call was to Blair Catalog Company. Raymond talked to several individuals before he got someone who could cancel the catalog. He will only continue to get the catalog for 5 or 6 more months until they get it stopped. Apparently nothing is instant.

So then he called J C Penny. After speaking to several individuals again I heard his rising voice saying, “I can’t understand you. What? I’m sorry I can’t understand you.” I reached for the phone but he wouldn’t pass it my way. He continued, “No. I don’t have a death certificate…………. Listen, I don’t want your address. I don’t want you to send me anything. I don’t want to deal with this baloney. Just cancel it. They did.

Then Raymond decided to eat tonight at KFC because “He needed something green to eat.” We gave Mom and Dad gift cards to restaurants at Christmas. Since Betty couldn’t eat, they weren’t used. The Scottsburg KFC has a lovely home style county buffet with greens, hominy, and dried beans, etc. Raymond presented the KFC gift card. Scottsburg wouldn’t take it. He wasn’t pleased. He expressed his opinion but didn’t use the baloney line so........... I paid for dinner.

Meanwhile, Great Grandson, Karson, has had a equally trying week adjusting to his loss. His mother, Karoline, writes, “Oh, and Karson has informed me that he does not want to celebrate his birthday, Easter, Christmas or do any trick or treating because it will not be the same without his Grandma Boley. We have had many tear filled nights at our house!”

The Boley Family

Betty's Slide Show (She loved Shirley Temple)

Karoline's Contribution

I posted three sections today after I figured out what I was doing wrong. Please make sure you continue to read after Karoline's contribution.

Before Grandma was scheduled to have surgery to remove the cancer within her body, many of us wrote letters that she could read as encouragement while she was in the hospital. I was asked to share this letter with you that I wrote:

Grandma,
Today you need to know how much I love you and am so thankful to call you my grandmother. You are such a beautiful woman, both inside and out. You are so strong and are the rock of our family. Thank you for teaching us what love is and showing us what it feels like to be so loved. You have helped me become who I am. I have had one of those days where I wonder how other mothers do what they do. Being a mother and doing it well is hard work! I often think about how you did all you did and how my mom did all she did. However you did it, you did it well! I pray I can be the kind of mother that you are and taught my mother to be!
I have always admired your calm nature with your husband, children and grandchildren. There is so much I am seeking to display in my own life that I have seen you display. There is no greater calling in life than to be a wife and mother. You and my mother have shown me what it is to embrace both rolls and to make them my priority.
Thank you.
I love you,
Karoline

Grandma has given us the gift of generational faithfulness. In Deuteronomy 6:5-7 it says “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children.”

The statistics are overwhelmingly clear that if we do not lead our children intentionally, passionately, fervently, to know God and love Him while they are in our homes, the likelihood of them giving their lives to Christ later in life is slim. Why is this? It is because God has given the greatest responsibility and power of evangelism to parents. The very nature of who grandma was was an impression on her children, grandchildren, and all those around her.


I remember a plaque that Grandma had hanging in her kitchen at the A-frame in Lexington. It was Proverbs 31 and is my first memory of what the Bible has to say about what a Godly wife and mother is. I would like to read it to you, because it is a very accurate description of who Grandma was!

10A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Thank you Grandma for giving our family the gift of faith displayed through the love of your Savior, your friends and your family!
Grandma is receiving her reward and she so badly wants us all to be there to enjoy it with her someday!

Betty's Community Service Part 2

MUSIC:


Betty grew up wanting to participate in music. She had piano lessons as a girl and practiced on the neighbor’s piano. So when we were old enough we were given music lessons. Dorothy Williams from Marysville was our teacher. Our family was a fixture for many many years, Raymond attended every recital. After the children finished, Betty took lessons again.


Betty and Raymond attended most concerts in which their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren participated . This was one of their secrets for building family.

Raymond grew up listening to Renfro Valley Music Barn on the radio. There were the weekend sing and the Sunday morning service. It was the Dolly Wood of its time. There was never a Sunday morning that our kitchen radio didn’t come on automatically with hymns from Renfro Valley.

When Betty and Raymond married they honeymooned in Renfro Valley. Later for an anniversary they took their family back to Renfro Valley and had a run in with fried oysters. Betty enjoyed fried oysters at King Fish. They were served clustered together in one roll about the size of an egg roll. She asked the waitress if the oysters on the menu were the large variety. The waitress confirmed they were so Betty ordered two. When the order arrived Betty was served two dozen oysters! To compound the problem, several of us had ordered two. Dozens and dozens of oysters covered our table. Raymond couldn’t work something out with the manager and he had to pay for them all.

Although Betty and Raymond were more of the “Joyful Noise” kind of choir members, they participated in the church choir for many, many years and since they were always on the go, they enjoyed practicing in the car during Cantata Season. We always looked forward to the Christmas season.

About 10 years ago they became part of the South Boston Opry family. Betty contributed slaw and attended faithfully. She was rewarded with a special section of seats, labeled “Slaw Queen”. Her children made lap robes with their special titles, Ma and Pa Slaw, and she used those to save a section for her entourage. Most of Raymond’s “Boley relatives”, and Betty’s "Prather cousins" were privileged to join her in that special section. After she started attending South Boston Opry, Betty became inspired and bought another piano to start practicing again. I don’t know if she ever got to join the playing, but she did in her dreams!

She was featured on this passed Thursday morning’s Salem radio show and her special Slaw Queen song, was played in her honor. We learned it was recorded so we’ll have an opportunity to hear it.

Somehow it was fitting that we sang hymns to her during her final hours. I wished we had thought to take a hymnal with us. Singing I’ll Fly Away with her two year old great grandchild, Abbagail, was her favorite moment during her last days. When the Great Grandchildren entered the room, she brightened and said, “I’ve been waiting for this.”


Quilting:


Betty didn’t start out a quilter, but along the way she discovered quilting. She was a traditionalist. She preferred hand quilting and was “very” vocal about it. Few achieve the volume of quilting she accomplished. Betty didn’t belong to just one quilting group, she belonged to two. With quilting groups came trips to explore quilt stores, Paduca quilt shows, and many award winning quilts. She was always there to help others learn to quilt, but few of us have her steady hand and beautiful stitches.

We know we have future quilters in the family because granddaughter, Lindsey, has employed Betty’s special quilting technique. When Lindsey was about 3 she attended quilting with grandma. On the floor she grasped the needle and caught she tongue between her teeth. That’s a Betty trademark.

One quilting friend remembers trying to hurry to a quilt class in Rising Sun, Indiana. Betty was driving through fog and when she hit a clear spot she sped up. A policeman noticed! She explained her situation and he couldn’t bring himself to give an 80 year old quilter a ticket that day. We’ve kept the warning for our family scrapbook.

She started out with the goal of one quilt per child; that was four. Then she expanded her goal to one for everyone in the family. Great grandchildren joined the family and the work began anew. Her last days were spent stitching Sun Bonnet Sue blocks for those Great Grandchildren who are yet a twinkle in someone’s eye.

Betty's Community Service Part 1

Community Service


Dennis spoke about Betty’s ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Community Service. His introduction was very clever.

Dennis’s explanation about being chosen to speak included looking for the most intelligent, the most beautiful, the most talented, but the deciding factor turned out to be the hardest headed family member. When he was small Sandy hit him in the forehead with a croquet mallet, accidentally! He survived!

PTA:

Behind every successful man is a woman. Betty made sure Raymond was prepared. Raymond became PTA President. That meant involvement in the Old Settlers community fair and pies for the food tent or fish fry; lots of pies including Raymond’s favorite, raisin, like his mother made. He served one year, but Betty was a room mother for twelve.

And then Raymond was Alumni President where there was always a theme. Their year was a western theme with split rails, servers in red checked shirts, and oil lamps that made the room so hot they barely survived the evening. Raymond received candy bars from the speaker that evening for his hard work, and Betty got to clean up.

Betty made the new red velvet curtains for the stage at Lexington High School and sometimes Florence Miller would talk her into a costume or two. Florence got her into lots of trouble! Homemakers: Betty was a “Doer.” She served the county Homemaker’s organization by helping build the open class exhibit at the Scott County Fair. She started early with the Homemakers organization by attending with her mother. She later formed two clubs of her own.

One member remembers: “She was older than her companions, but she was the one who parked the car, carried luggage, and directed her fellow attendees. ”We had much fun selling Devona's jewelry one year. We wore it but left the price tags on it so we could sell it "right off our bods". Betty carried a bag of the jewelry in her purse-like loot- for sale. When the club met at her home, we were treated like royalty. The table was set with elegance and Christmas decorations adorned the home, and the food was not only fit for a king but prepared by the "queen". If someone complained, she would say: "Well, maybe, you need to see it from their side of it" Wisdom at its best. It was my honor to be among this lady's friends.”


Another adds: “Because of her, I joined the state volunteer support group. Being with her inspired me to go onward and upward in the organization. We were involved in many projects for the local, district and state Homemakers' Organization. I liked her involvement in Homemakers and admired her family life and devotion to Raymond.”

She attended her last Greenbriar Homemakers club meeting last Thursday. She saved energy for several days so she could attend. She wore a beautiful new embroidered sweatshirt a friend made just for her. We took pictures to celebrate. Those photos will be cherished.


4-H

Betty started early. 4-H was one way she didn’t have to go to church every day. There were beautiful seamstresses in her family, and Betty was a natural. She had that “X factor” as far as god given talents go. She could see how to do it in her mind’s eye. She was steady and methodical enough to do excellent work.

She led the Wide Awake 4H club; and since she kept everything we know they had $17:00 in their bank account; Carol Whitlatch was the treasurer. Our floats in the Old Settler’s Parade were decked out in chicken wire covered with Kleenex. We had fun making them. Jeannie Carlisle and Jan McCammon Thompson were in the club, as were her children.

Her children’s sewing and baking, were always winners, but we never exhibited canning because peaches were hard to keep from floating to the tops of jars. Her home canned peaches, canned tomatoes and green beans were what we loved in winter, even if she didn’t think she could teach us to produce canning winners. Dennis won Grand Champion on his Italian Cream Cake or was it his yeast rolls?

She went on to serve on the county extension board for years. She and Raymond and now Dennis serve. They helped provide support and programming to keep 4-H a viable organization in Scott County. They have been recognized time and again for service. This winter’s recognition banquet was the first one missed in many years. Raymond mentioned he was missing it several times; he takes the program seriously.

Raymond's Tuesday

I'm having trouble posting on the blog today. This is a test to see if I can figure it out.

Betty Service

I don’t have a printed version of yesterday’s service, but I do have the notes for the service. I’ll post them throughout this week.

Church and Religious Life

We’re here today to stitch together a quilt of memories concerning Betty Jean McCammon Boley. One of the blocks would surely include her Christian life for her faith has been her foundation. Betty’s childhood was filled with religious activities. She attended all the churches in Sellersburg, Indiana.

Monday evenings were a must for all Sellersburg youth to attend Bible study at the Sellersburg Church of Christ, the home church of her McCammon Grandfather. He was an elder and believed his church was the only church. He allowed no card playing in his home. His grandchildren remember playing “Pick-up Sticks” at their Grandfather’s home on the day Pearl Harbor was bombed.

The Sellersburg Methodist Church was home to Wednesday night choir practice, Bible School, and women’s group which she attended with her widowed mother.

The church she called home, Pleasant Grove Methodist Church, on Highway 203 between Sellersburg and Charlestown was attended by her Prather relatives on Sunday mornings, then lunch at her Prather Grandparents, and back for Sunday evening fellowship. There was also Sunday School, Bible School, and later on homemakers’ meetings and bible study at the church.

After marriage, Raymond moved the family to the farm in Lexington and the family attended the small Methodist Church where Raymond was raised, Pleasant Ridge Methodist Church. When their children were old enough, they moved their membership to the Otisco Methodist Church where a youth group was available.

When the Presbyterians in Lexington came seeking their daughter for a pianist, they turned into pseudo Presbyterians and occupied the back 2 rows of the right side of the church. Sunday School, Bible School, shared Church cleaning responsibilities and Englishton Park Retirement Home were part of the church experience. The Lexington church served the Englishton Park Retirement Home so precious relationships developed and thoughtful caretaking became a Sunday morning tradition.

Dennis shared that Easter Sunday sunrise services on the lawn of Englishton Park were some of his favorite times. Sometimes a trumpeter would herald the sun rise on the lawn, and sometimes the snow was so deep the service took place inside around the fire. We could always count on the multi family pitch in breakfasts that featured eggs galore. Church families built community through family pitch-ins. There was always good food, good friends and good fun.

While cleaning I found letters from an Englishton resident, Katherine Parker, the wife of former President of Hanover College, thanking Betty for her thoughtful service to the church mentioning the small things Betty did that sometimes go unnoticed.

When the children left home and Betty and Raymond moved to Scottsburg, they returned to their true colors, Methodism, and have continued their dedication to church. Sunday school, choir, and service to their fellow men took the form of taking friends to church or taking shut ins for rides to enjoy the scenery.

Devona shared, “When I reflect back and think of your 60 years together, the words Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow comes to mind. Your marriage is a testimony to a marriage built and enriched with God. I want to thank you for the advantage of faith that you introduced me to and showed by example. Dad, you showed me how to expect to be treated by a husband through your loving our mother. Mom, you showed us how to make something out of nothing and still get your husband’s praise.”

Betty understood the importance of a relationship with God. She turned her most recent troubles over to him and it gave her peace of mind to know someone greater than she was in control.

The Boley Family

Sunday's Service

Raymond is settled and sleeping.
We joined him for a snack when we arrived home and he spoke about the day.
“Did you see how many people were there?” “Jordon did a wonderful job at the end, a wonderful job.” He was referring to Jordon Crosdale who signed, “I Can Only Imagine.”
“Dennis did a wonderful job. He was funny.” “Karoline did a wonderful job.” “They all did a wonderful job.” “The choir sounded so good.”
“Those “girls” that did that cooking do that so much. It tasted so good.” And he went on and on.
Raymond has a relative that owns a funeral home. That relative commented that it was the nicest service he had every attended and he had attended a lot. That pleased him.
My daughter is here until tomorrow, and I’m going to enjoy my time with her. I’ll post more about the service soon.

The Boley Family

Saturday's Visitation

What an outpouring of love and sympathy. Dad was humbled by the number of friends who came to share a moment with him. I forgot to count the names in the Visitation registry, but I will tomorrow.

I was so worried about the elderly who stood in line. There's got to be a better way. Maybe someday someone will come up with a system like they have at the BMVs. Take a number, take a seat. We had discussed filling up the rows so that there wouldn't be so much standing. We didn't get it organized.

Jeannie Carlisle provided wonderful food for our family and the friends who stayed to visit. It was so thoughtful of her. Thank you, Jeannie.

Raymond was a little hoarse this evening. He talked for 5 hours straight! We did get him to sit for a lot of the visitation. He went to bed about 9 and when I checked on him at 10 he was sleeping.

They had a hard time getting the DVD player to work today but some miracle worker got it working and the girls had put Shirley Temple's music, on the sound track, because it was Mom's favorite. If you get a chance to see it tomorrow, I think you'll enjoy it.

I've been working on family genealogy and had printed a sample for Mom of the family lines I'm working on. Ancestry.com has a wonderful publishing program that takes all the information you add and generates lovely books. Some are on display in the church lobby. You'll find lots of incomplete work, but you'll also get to see what I gave Betty for Christmas this year. She helped identify people in the photos and helped me contact individuals during these last few months. When I've rested I'll get back to work perfecting the projects before I share with family.

Thank you to the church for allowing our family the use of the facilities. It was a comfortable environment for our family and allowed us the opportunity to display mother's quilts. She would have been proud.

The Boley Family

Daylight Savings Time

Please remember to set your clocks forward tonight. We don't want you to miss spending time with us tomorrow.

Our extra daughters from out of state are coming in and we are trying to get last minute details taken care of.

I'm going to try to tame Raymond's cowlick so that he is in good shape today. That always bothered Mom. Even in her last days she reminded me to take care of his hair.

Raymond realized last night that we had missed Antiques Roadshow on Thursday evening because we watched the American Idol conclusion. We won't make that mistake again. Raymond finished his dishes and reported that he cleaned all the kitchen counters with his new dish cloth.

Some delicious home made bread came our way yesterday. Thank you dear friend.

The Boley Family

You may remember the South Boston Opry. Betty and Raymond have attended for years. This morning Betty and Raymond were honored by Glenn Applegate from the Opry with a radio program dedicated to them. Betty's Slaw Queen song was shared as well as stories of Betty's kindnesses. Raymond forgot to wake me for the program. I hope it was recorded so we can enjoy it later.

Raymond continues to be overwhelmed with the outpouring of thoughtfulness. Thank you for your kindnesses.

Raymond is back to doing the dishes and tending the trash.

He called his brother and two local sisters tonight. The sisters' weren't available. I think they would have been touched that he wanted to talk to them.

The Boley elves are keeping busy with projects to share this weekend. It helps to have something to do. Granddaughter Lindsey stopped by tonight and he smiled.

He spoke about having someone clean the house occasionally. He doesn't want them to sweep the floors. He says that's his job. (I smiled.)

The Boley Family

Wednesday Evening

Loved ones visited today. They are a comfort.

Raymond took a little drive and a little nap. He found no balls today.

You wouldn't believe the meat loaf that came today. Delicious!

When Dennis arrived this evening, Dad came alive. He sparkles when Dennis is around. I am so glad they have each other.

I hope he can get out tomorrow. I recently shared with a friend that we are going to have to let go a little at a time allowing him to function on his own, but perhaps we'll leave the training wheels on for a bit.

We'll see you this weekend.

The Boley Family

Raymond reports we had 2 1/2 inches of rain last night. I remembered to give him Tylenol and he slept a little, but he can't get out and roam in the woods today so he's stuck with me in the house.

I worked in my room and at 8 found him in bed. He advised that I should not stay up all night. I asked if he thought 10 was too late. (I hope you're smiling at this.) Bless his heart.

Some apple salad and a lovely cream pie appeared at our door. Raymond was delighted. The apple salad was as good as the potato salad and it came from a neighbor also. I predict smiles on Raymond's face in the future as these neighbors treat him to a dish now and then.

Loved ones are joining us this morning for coffee. There might be a piece of cake left to share.

Devona's daughters are busy using their creative skills for the service. It is helping them focus their pain. Dennis's Rayanne is taking finals and my daughter is planning to fly in this weekend. We're keeping busy. We had a lovely day selecting flowers yesterday for the service. The sisters had lunch and Devona and Sharon found the perfect "Betty" bouquet. I hope you agree. They worked hard.

I so want to visit with each person who joins us this weekend. You've been faithful readers. Betty has over 7,000 hits on her blog. That's love.

The Boley Family

Raymond announced this morning that he had an awful night. He couldn't sleep. Of course, I had forgotten to suggest Tylenol PM.

I showed him the picture we were thinking about using and he cried.
I told him the obit would be on the radio and when he heard it he cried.

He decided to spend the day out and about. He thought he'd talk to the minister. Good Thing!

I asked him to stick the phone in his pocket.
He did. He said, "Don't call me."

Anyone who has been through this knows he's really making good choices. He's talking, he's out, he's hurting, he's crying, he's grieving.

He's doing the best he can and we are here to support him. Everyone wants to help, but he has to do this, and again, he's doing the best he can.

Thanks to all,
The Boley Family

Betty's Obituary

Betty McCammon Boley, beloved wife and mother who excelled at the art of homemaking, died from pancreatic cancer March 6, 2011. Betty began her life’s journey on December 11, 1929 in Sellersburg, Indiana, the daughter of John Lester McCammon and Ruby Alice Prather of the former Sellersburg business, McCammon Prather Motor Company.

The early loss of her father and the strong desire for a happy family environment experienced at the homes of her maternal and paternal grandparents shaped the focus of Betty’s life. There were always cousins with which to play, good cooking, and homemade ice cream. Those relationships flourish to this day and she has certainly created a family who loves her dearly as illustrated in the book, The Boley Family, written by her grandchildren.

She married John Raymond Boley in 1948 and they moved their family to Lexington, Indiana in 1956. Betty and Raymond raised their four children on a 275 acre farm, setting a wonderful example of industry and hospitality combined with church and community involvement. Betty demonstrated life skills, supported her children in their school activities, led 4-H clubs, taught Sunday and Bible school, and insisted on piano lessons for everyone.

When her children went to college, Betty accepted a job for a few years as head Cook at the local Lexington Elementary School. She claimed she saved every penny to pay tuition, except for a Christmas present or two. Her expert cooking advice prompted a recent cookbook, Dining With The Boleys, also published by her grandchildren. Using her exquisite sewing skills, Betty taught sewing and quilting classes and produced many award winning quilts.

Betty was an active member of Scottsburg United Methodist Church, several quilting circles, and Greenbriar Homemakers, serving at the County, District and State levels of the Homemakers’ organization. She worked tirelessly to build a successful open class exhibition for the Scott County Fair. Betty was recognized by Purdue University for many years of service to 4-H and to the Cooperative Extension Service.

Betty was preceded in death by her father, mother and brother, Allen McCammon, and one great grandchild.

Betty’s dream of a loving family came true. She leaves behind her devoted husband of 63 years, John Raymond Boley; four children, Sandra Boley Wildman of Madison, IN., Devona Boley Burns (Steven) and Dennis Ray Boley (Jill) of Scottsburg, IN., and Sharon Boley Meneou (Thomas) of Jeffersonville, IN.; nine grandchildren, Katie Wildman of Iowa City, IA., Karoline Burns Gantt (Jason), Kendrah and Kimberly Burns and Rayanne Boley all of Scottsburg, IN., Kevin, T.J., Scott and Lindsey Meneou of Clark County, IN. and six beautiful great grandchildren.

Our family invites you to visit with us at Scottsburg Methodist Church, Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 3-8:00 P.M. and Sunday, March 13, 2011 from 1:30–3:00 P.M. The funeral will follow at 3:00 P.M. with burial in the Scottsburg Cemetery.

Stewart & Hoagland Funeral Home in Scottsburg, IN. is in charge of the service. http://www.stewartfuneralhome.net/obituaries/2011/2011_obits.htm

Donations in honor of Betty may be made to Scottsburg Methodist Church, 615 S. Honeyrun Pkwy, Scottsburg, IN. 47170-6717. Envelopes will be available at the church.

Monday Morning

Well, we're awake.

We started yesterday afternoon with the most delicious potato salad you have ever tasted. And to think - the maker had been living next door all along. My Oh My!

Family gathered for a little Boley brainstorming - when in times of crisis - create! That seems to be the way we deal with life. The grandchildren are busy planning their contribution to Betty's memorial and their efforts are beyond wonderful. I'm still working on the obituary this morning. I've had all these months, but it seems I've been busy writing a blog and now I have to face reality.

As food started to arrive we arranged things as we always have, and when the grandchildren arrived they stood in the kitchen crying. When asked, they explained things looked like Grandma had done it. We continue her tradition, but to tell the truth Betty would have prepared twice as much so I had a little chuckle.

Raymond went to bed early after an exhausting day. I checked on him at 10 and he wasn't asleep so I coaxed him into trying a Tylenol PM. He was still in bed this morning when I woke and that is a first. He usually rises with the sun. Breakfast is soon to arrive via another dear friend. Sausage balls and breakfast casserole are promised.

Sharon and Raymond are going to do a little banking this morning and then he wants to take a walk in the woods. It's hard to let him go, I'd rather Dennis accompany him, but he is a grown man so I must trust that we've done a good job raising him and he will make good choices.

Right now he is busy tidying up, rearranging pillows, unloading the dishwasher, and standing at the door awaiting breakfast.

When we visited the funeral home yesterday we found that Betty is already back in Scottsburg. That is a huge comfort to Raymond and all. A dear friend's child worried that someone would take her Daddy when left at the funeral home over night. I know that feeling. Another of our children wanted to remove her Grandpa's suit coat so it wouldn't get dirty when he was buried.
No matter the age of the grieved individual, those child like concerns remain. It must have been hard for Sharon and Dennis to leave after Mother's death. We hadn't left her alone for so long.

Betty's cremation will occur after the legal requirements are satisfied. It seems red tape continues even after our death. And so the old adage, "nothing is sure except death and taxes," can now be extended with the addition of the words "and red tape."

Our Grateful Boley Family

Funeral Plans

Betty’s obituary will not be in the paper until later in the week.
We have family members involved in college finals, so the plans include the following:

Visitation: Scottsburg Methodist Church Saturday, March 12th from 3-8 and Sunday, March 13th from 1:30 – 3:00

Funeral: Scottsburg Methodist Church Sunday, March 13th at 3:00 with burial following in the Scottsburg Cemetery

A meal will be served in the church basement following the services.

Scottsburg Methodist Church
615 S Honeyrun Pkwy
Scottsburg, Indiana 47170-6717

Precious Memories

When I woke Raymond at four this morning to tell him Betty had died, his tears were followed with the song, "Precious Memories!"

Stewarts Funeral Home in Scottsburg will be in charge of the funeral. No information is available at this time.

I hope you will send a memory that can be shared. Our blessings have been many.

Thank you for your prayers.

The Boley Family

The Time Has Come

Betty's condition continued to deteriorate today. Her kidneys are shutting down and her breathing is extremely labored.

It is Betty's wish to have no life support. We all gathered tonight at 10:00 at Jewish Hospital to say goodbye. Devona started a hymn and we spent about a half hour singing to her. Raymond joined in. Karoline's son, Karson, brought a stuffed animal to sleep with Grandma Boley tonight. He put a special bow in its hair.

Raymond and I came home about 1:00 AM. We will return to her bedside in the morning. Sharon, Dennis and Jill stayed at her bedside tonight. The hospital provided extra rooms for family members so we could take turns napping.

I can't tell you what a comfort it is for us to have had these months together to prepare. We are very sad, but also very grateful that she will be spared any further pain.

I will post as information is available.

The Boley Family

Saturday, March 5th

Betty is able to get some much needed sleep with the help of some pain meds. The doctors are now placing an NG tube in to drain the stomach and start liquid nutrients by IV. The doctors feel this will give Betty's stomach and ulcer areas time to drain and start healing, with hopes of starting on food by mouth in a couple of days.

Please keep the prayers going.

Additional Friday POST

Dennis called to say the tests had been completed. Betty sat up a few minutes to talk to them and then asked for something to help her sleep. Yeah! Betty is asking for drugs.

More Later,

The Boley Family

Friday, March 4th

Today was a stressful day. Betty couldn't function today. Her lack of food intake and inability to keep food down caught up with her. I had to dress her and we put the wheel chair in the trunk because she was much too weak.

I discussed her condition with our GP to see if we should try to go to Louisville for the stint or just go to the emergency room. We decided to go to Louisville. I called the Dr's office in Louisville to let them know she was having problems and we were on our way.

Once we checked in and waited our turn she was hooked up to an IV so that she could get some fluids. The Dr. was very helpful in explaining the stint procedure but said he could not put a feeding tube in today.

After the procedure she was admitted to Jewish to keep her on an IV. She woke about 3, ate some of the liquid diet, slept, and then vomited 5 times. She had severe chills so Sharon and Devona piled all the blankets and coats on her they could find. They rubbed and soothed and we finally got a few sips of hot tea in her.

She lost the potassium and magnesium she had just taken and we were afraid we were headed down the same path of a few weeks ago when her levels got too low.

The nurse knew that we were very concerned so she contacted the doctor and he ordered several tests this evening that will keep both Betty and Sharon awake. Sharon has the night shift and Dennis and Jill went down to check on things.

Raymond, Devona, and I came home for some sleep and we are hoping that tomorrow will be a better day. Wouldn't it be nice if her digestive system liked the stint and tomorrow food agreed with her!

Keep a positive thought!

The Boley Family

Betty's Stint and Feeding Tube

Betty had another bad night.

Betty will have a new pancreatic stint inserted tomorrow and a new feeding tube. She will have the procedure at noon at Jewish Outpatient. She will use a feeding system with a pump. We will be instructed on its use tomorrow. We are hoping to fatten her up and get some strength back.

I just heard Raymond say, "Honey, you had such a good night last night!" Betty responded, "Oh, did I?" He replied, "I know you did."

Betty and I made eye contact.

You just have to love the guy!

The Boley Family