Missouri Pt. 3, in Memoriam

On Sunday we all gathered at the cemetery in Lathrop to pay our last respects to Milton and Mae Shipp. It was a solemn ceremony. We all gathered together in a circle around the 2 markers Phyllis and Karen struggled to say a few words, mostly thanks for being there, hope for Randy and best wishes from those who could not attend. I then played a selection of songs that they had chosen as songs Milton & Mae had loved, or brought back specific memories of them.

The Air Force Song, for Milton, a decorated Army Air Force pilot and Captain in World War 2
The Old Rugged Cross sung by Alan Jackson
When Irish Eyes are Smiling sung by Bing Crosby
Oh Susanna (this was chosen by Dennis as a song he remembered Mae singing to him)
Tiny Bubbles sung by Don Ho, which they always loved as a symbol of their trip to Hawaii for their 25th Anniversary
In The Garden sung by Alan Jackson
You Are my Sunshine
The Stars and Stripes Forever
On the Road Again, by Willie Nelson, which is how most of us remember them, always on the road, off on another trip.

By the end of the last song there wasn't a dry eye there, except for the kids who didn't understand what was going on. As the last song ended and I set down the radio Daniel came over to me and I was able to just hold him and cry some. Gerald then placed their combined ashes by the big head stone, and placed flags by the headstone and Milton's brother's headstone. We then went around the circle and introduced ourselves as best we could, there was a lot of crying. Then people kind of mingled for a while, Gerald and his kids went and paid their respects at his first wife's grave. It was all very nice and solemn, the kids were all good although Emily decided to start babbling during the songs. The sun broke through the clouds just as the songs started, which was a nice touch as well.

Some more pictures:
The 3 siblings
Connie and her cousin
Milton's Marker

We got some more pictures, and then headed back to the camp site. Although poor Emily, who had been kind of constipated most of the trip, decided to really feel and announce her pain on the ride back to the farm by screaming the whole time.