Emogene Wilkinson

My thoughts of Aunt Gene tend to be rambling, as I search my memories of her. I think the most lasting memory I will have of her, is my memories as a young child. I will always remember that as a child, this Aunt of mine treated me different, as well as all the other "kids". She treated us, not like kids, but as people. She always made me feel important, and listened to what I had to say.

I remember on one of her last trips to New Mexico with Aunt Lorene, Lyndell and I took them out to White Sands National Monument, where Aunt Gene couldn't resist giving in to her childish side, and immediately dropped down to the sand, laid down and started moving her arms back and forth in the sand. She was making a "Sand Angel." I snapped a picture of her and later framed it in a voice frame, and recorded a bit of the song "Devil or Angel" on it for her. She was pleased.

I enjoy remembering a story that my Mother told me. When my Mother was coping with her cancer, but still able to travel some, she and Daddy went to Houston to visit Aunt Gene. I remember Mother telling me that they went out to eat at an Olive Garden restaurant. As I recall the story, Aunt Gene excused herself to presumably go to the ladies room. When she returned to the table, she gave Mother the instruction to "no matter what just go along with things."
Shortly, a group of employee's came to their table and brought a small cake, and sang "Happy Birthday" to Mother.
Well, as nice as that was, and very thoughtful........and I can't remember what time of year it was, but was certainly no where near Mother's birthday! But, that was Aunt Gene,
spreading joy when ever she could, and making yet someone else feel special.

On a sadder note, I remember Aunt Gene being shocked and in disbelief, when she heard of mine and Lester's divorce after 40 years. She said for that to happen, was impossible.....we had been together so long. It saddens me that she passed without knowing, that just in the last few months Lester and I have found our way back to each other.
She, of everyone, would have smiled that little knowing smile of hers, and said "it's about time you came to your senses".

My Aunt Gene............she was a wonderful lady, a sweet Aunt, and a good friend. I loved her much and will miss her greatly.

I remeber meeting Gene and loving her at once...of course we did have something in common!! and the many laughs we shared at this common bond...She kept your spirits up and one could not be down with her around...I enjoyed being with her and always look forward to her coming to California. I remeber the time we took a trip up the coast to Laguna Beach and sat up on this bluff with the Pacific Ocean below us and ate lunch and talk and relaxed, probably drinking our glasses of wine, what a great time...I thank the Lord for bringing her into my life and giving me the time I was able to spend with her.
I wish I had the humor she had, she was a gift to all of us. Thank you Lord for Gene.

My world ... My Mom's world... The world, has lost one of the most beatiful people I have ever had the privledge to know, love and call me Aunt. It's so hard to hold back the tears as I know my Aunt Gene would not have wanted so many tears shed for her. Aunt Gene wasn't just my mom's sister but also her best friend. My entire youth and most holidays were spent together and she always treated my like I was SOMEBODY as she did her 5 boys too! We were close, our family ... my dad even refers to Aunt Gene as "the sister he never but wished he had". I remember at one of the New Year Eve's we all spent together and Mom, Dad, Rudi and everyone would toast wine together at midnight and Aunt Gene would make sure we "all" would get a little wine in our glasses - she was always soooo cool!

I have many, many great memories of my Aunt Gene and Doyle, Mark, Mike, Larry and Paul. I have always shared the joy of picking up stones or rocks I have found along the way too, so I will always think of her as I continue to share in what we found in nature and how to always see the good side in everyone like she did.

See you in Heaven Aunt Gene, Love Always, DeAnne

The fruit does not fall far from the tree...and if the fruit is sweet, so must the tree from it dropped. I may not have known Emogene, but I have had the honor of having Doyle touch my life. I have nothing but praises and thanks to give every time I remember him. Surely, such a kind, generous and giving man must have come from as generous a mother. Thank you Emogene, for the to us of your son....

Joseph Z. Reyes

Jean, we'll miss you dearly. Your kindness and generosity knew no bounds. You stood by Ryan and I through some of the worst of times and for that, I'll forever be grateful. You were a wonderful mother-in-law and friend to me. Most especially, you were an amazing grandma to Ryan. Your love for him always shined through. Thank you for all that you did and for the love you shared. You have been a blessing to us all.

My farewell letter to Jean reads as follows;

When I was 15 you opened your arms and your heart to me and made me your daughter. Eversince that time, 45 years ago, our mutual love for each other has grown into a wonderful relationship that I cherish. You have been my friend, my comfident and my "Mom".
Thank you for all of the love, respect and caring that you have always provided for myself and Paula and Dennis. Thank you also for my pesty brothers (they're not pesty anymore...but they were, and I loved it!) I am sister to Mark, Doyle, Mike, Larey and Paul, because of you and I have an extended family with Aunt Helen, DeAnne, Andre, Rhegan, JoGayle, Melissa and all of my nieces and nephews, again because of you.
My life will be missing something without you in it, but I have lots of memories to fill the empty gap that is the big place in my heart for you.
We need you to watch down upon us, to love and guide us, as you always have., and as I know you always will.

Rest in Peace.......we'll all see you soon.

My sweet friend Emogene,
Thanks for being there for me over the years for so many important milestones. You were there for weddings, graduations, birthdays, births...

For all the times in my life when I needed a mother after my own mom passed away, you gladly filled in. I will miss your accepting nature, your great sense of humor, your innate wisdom and your sense of fun. I am comforted by the fact that you are now watching over all who loved you so much.

"Grandma Gene" what a kick she was. Always laughing and telling outlandish stories about her childhood, trying to raise "all those boys", living with Dave and did she love TEXAS! We all have such fond memories of the vacation that we had with her and Mark on the houseboat. We can still see her sitting in a chair on the beach, with her glass of "after dinner wine" and telling her stories. She would get all of us laughing so much that we would all be crying! Can't ever remember ever hearing an unkind remark from her about anyone. Such a loving, kind and gentle woman she was. We are all better for knowing her. Can you see her up in heaven, looking down at all of us and saying "Now what ya'all crying about, I'm having fun up here." She will be missed, but not forgotten.

It’s been just a little over two weeks now since my Mom passed away, and I already miss her more than I knew I could. She was the heart of our family, and now she is gone.
When I was young, she taught me the things that were important to her. She taught me that no one was more important than me, or less important. She taught me not to judge people by what they looked like or their social status, but by how they treated other people. The Golden Rule was not mere words to her, it was the way she lived her life.
Mom taught me that a persons word was the most valuable thing they will ever own. That was probably the most important lesson I’ve ever learned. I remember another lesson I learned from her. It was close to my birthday and Mom asked me what present I would like. I thought about it and told her that I already had everything I needed. She gave me a thoughtful look and then said, “Well then, you’re a rich man.” Mom was a wise woman, she was my role model. The last thing she said to me was “I love you”, and I want her to know I loved her too and I always will.

Emogene was my sister. She was also my very best friend always.It was 16 days ago that I stood with her as she breathed her last on earth and went home to be with the Lord.I miss her terribly but have the comfort of knowing we will someday soon be together again in God's house.
Till then I will keep reliving all the happy memories she and I made together!

Mom,

I always knew you were proud of me because you always let me know, and to be honest, it embarrassed me a bit, because I never felt I’d ever done anything to deserve the unqualified nature of your love, and quite the opposite had given you many reasons to be ashamed.

The last time that I visited, coming from Virginia to spend my ritual week with you, I was so concerned because your condition had visibly worsened, even though you did your best to hide it from me.

We were sitting in my rental car at the end of the day out front of the Hampton at Pinegate in Houston where you lived the last years of your life. I was dropping you off after spending the day driving around and visiting the shops, eating at the restaurants, and parking underneath the trees and watching the little children play which you dearly loved.

You were weakening, your memory was failing at an accelerated pace, and I knew you were distressed because you were losing memories of those you loved and it hurt you very much.

You realized you weren’t going to be around much longer, I know that now, but you didn’t speak of death or finality. It was now my role to encourage you, and I thought that meant always speaking in the future tense – what we were going to do when I retired when we could travel together across the country and visit all our family and friends. I knew by then it was only a pretty dream, and I guess you knew that too, but still it seemed to raise your spirit.

I longed to make up for those years when I had been away. Except for the grace of my brother Mark who took charge of your affairs and was your unfailing protector, and also all the fine caregivers at the Hampton Arbor who treated you as family, I feared that you were neglected and abandoned. You never said that to me, but I condemned myself.

We made small talk, afraid to tackle the terrible truths that had been left unsaid. I mumbled something about how much I regretted not having spent much time with you the last few years, and wished that it could have worked out in a different way.

Yet you wouldn’t let me think that way. You had always asked each time I came about my family in Virginia, wanted to know about their lives and took pleasure when I spoke proudly of their accomplishments. You had never tried to make me feel any sense of guilt for moving away. Of course I did feel guilt, tremendous guilt, but in your kindness you wouldn’t hear of it – that was how it was supposed to be, you said.

And then, even as I sat there glumly and unconvinced, you turned to me and out of the blue you said, “Doyle, I just want you to know how proud I am of you, how very, very proud I am of you.” It was so sincere and unexpected that it took my breath away. I couldn’t understand why you would bless me for my transgressions, when I felt ashamed because I thought I had failed you badly.

Yes, like always, it was you who encouraged me – I think you somehow sensed that we were close to our final goodbyes, and wanted to give me something worth more than anything you owned, something that could sustain me in my own dark days that were sure to follow. For my sake as well as yours, I do really hope you knew how much I loved you, and I never loved you more than in that moment.

It was your way of reminding me that although I was beating up myself for leaving you, I had really gone to that place your lessons led me, to a life of independence. Now I think I understand why you told me then that you were proud of me – it was because you knew your earthly mission on my behalf had been accomplished, that I had left the nest and forged a life of my own, and that I was as proud of the children that I raised as you were proud of me, and your other children too.

You believed it was more important that I live my own life, sustaining a family of my own and passing down the values that you ingrained in me rather than hanging around to comfort you, even though you missed me terribly. That was so like you, so very unselfish, even when I know it hurt you when I left, though you never told me that.

Your wisdom in expressing your pride for me was too cryptic at the time for me to understand, yet in these dark moments when I am once again your frightened child and long to cling to you for comfort and assurance, I am reminded that the reason you were proud of me was because I was not clinging to you anymore, and that I had learned to love unconditionally as you loved me.

Thank you mom for telling me in your own way that what I did was justified. In the days and years to come I will turn to you many times for comfort and guidance, and you will always be there. You won’t be there for me to see and touch, but you will always be the guidepost that I strive to follow. My moments on this earth are numbered, and so may I use my remaining time wisely before I claim that lasting peace that now is yours.

And when I take my final breath, may it be said by all who knew and loved you, that I became, at last, the person you always thought I was.

My Dearest, Dearest Gene....I know without a doubt that we shall be with each again for eternity in our Father's House. You loved me like no one ever has or probably ever will....I always physically felt your love like a warm blanket on a cold day. You loved me like my Heavenly Father loved me without condition. You were always a rock in the storms of my life...You were so much more than an incredible grandmother to Janna & Jordan. You knew my heart & loved me when I couldn't love myself...You were the the most joyous, loving & accepting person I have ever known. You taught me so much about love & life. But more importantly you taught me how to be a woman that is in-love with life....I cherish every moment that you & I ever spent together...You are a one-of-a-kind!!!!!!....The following is a poem that only scratches the surface of the impact you have had on mine & the childrens life.....I Love You, More Than Words Can Express!

"We are all molded and remolded by those who have loved us, and though that love may pass we remain, none the less, their work...No love, no friendship can ever cross the path of our destiny without leaving some mark upon it forever

You are IT … the woman, the mom, the sister, the friend, the shoulder, the kick, the rock, the soul, the inspiration, the fun, the life … the BEST.

You knew what it was all about and not only walked the talk but shared it with us all … there's so many pieces of you down here that you’re not gone ...

You’re just doing it all up there where nobody will ever tell you no again … love ya Gram.