I was just a kid when “Grams” died, yet I can close my eyes and see her still today. In many ways she was like my mom – a small compact woman, but one who walked and talked with an air of authority. I think mom and I inherited much more from her than just that “air” and the gray hair! However, I was never blessed with her musical abilities. Grams was an organist extraordinaire. She was called on frequently to perform around North Florida and South Georgia and taught some of the most prominent families in Jacksonville. She had plans for me, while I was living with her on the farm with them, but after the smoke house burned down and Big Pops (mom’s step dad) died, she moved to Panama City with Uncle Jim. I only got to see her a few times before she died in April of 1959.

I have to believe Grams passed on strength to mom that could not have been purchased at any price. After her 1919 marriage in Richmond, Virginia into a prominent family there, she and her husband Joy B. Gilbert moved to Jacksonville. Within a few years he was gone, never to be heard from again. Grams and the four kids made it through the depression with pure grit and determination. Mom, like her brothers and sister went on to make good lives for themselves because of her positive influence, determination, and direction. Each of her brothers achieved success in business and her sister in commercials. Mom chose a path of family, teaching and nursing. All the kids adopted her unusually strong work ethic and determination to see their plans and goals achieved. Grams worked up until a few weeks before her death, never giving up or being deterred from her calling.

When I think about Grams, I see a woman who took what she had, put her head down and plowed through every challenge life presented. She was relentless and never gave up, using her talents to establish a reputation of excellence. It was her reputation that brought her into contact with Dr. Knoche, a prominent local dentist, whom she eventually married. Big Pops took her and the children in, gave them a home, helped promote her career and introduced them to affluence – a far cry from their past life. He even supported my mother’s first recording of Ave Maria in the 1940’s. He had many outside interests and was always dabbling in something. When he died in the mid 50’s, those dabblings left little for the family to work with. Grams started over again, but this time the kids were grown and established with their own families.

My mom said that she read a poem Grams wrote that lead her to believe she was a Christian, despite Big Pop’s commitment to reincarnation. I have to believe that as a Christian she knew Philippians 4:13 well: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” She stepped through the fires of life, held her head high, walked with integrity and achieved a place of position because she stuck with what she believed. God blessed her for being true to His calling in her life and commitment to her family despite the odds. Yea, Grams!

Love Dad