Mom called last night and told me she had news to share and didn't want to wait and tell me on my birthday, which is today. Uncle Orris, age 90, died yesterday after a terrible accident on the farm. (I'll get to that later.) He was married to one of my grandmother's sisters. Uncle Orris and Uncle Norris were twins who married my grandmother's twin sisters, Aunt Joyce and Aunt Loyce. These are the sisters of the grandmother who recently passed away.
These aunts and uncles are known as the Shaw Twins. After getting married, the twins lived in the same house and had 2 children each. The men raised Tennessee Walking Horses and were known around Nashville and surrounding areas. I have such fond memories of times at the farm. Uncle Norris passed away a few years ago and we thought Uncle Orris would not be around much longer. They were practically glued at the hip! Uncle Orris was at my grandmother's graveside service and I recall Mom, I think, telling me how much Uncle Orris loved my grandmother!
Uncle Orris was on the tractor, bush hogging behind the house when he hit the guide wire to the power pole. We think he died instantly due to being electrocuted. I pray he was electrocuted because the power pole fell on the tractor and fire erupted. His daughter, Susan, and Aunt Loyce and Joyce were in the kitchen. Susan saw the whole thing happening and could not do anything! Because of the fire, no one could get to him to even turn off the tractor. What a tragedy...and something that can't really be explained...
Uncle Orris really had no business being on a tractor at 90 years old, but he loved farming and knew there was work to be done. I knew he would die doing what he loved, but surely didn't expect such a tragedy. This goes to show that we never know how our life will end...and that we better be ready!
Please pray for the family. Both ladies have now lost their husbands, who they have spent over 60 years with! Aunt Joyce, his wife, is in the beginning stages of Alzheimer's, so who knows how this will affect her. Pray for children Jeff & his family, and Susan. Susan has had such difficulties in her life and I cannot imagine what she must be going through...after watching this tragedy take place and knowing you could do nothing. Pray for Randall and Barry and families, the sons of Aunt Loyce. Pray for the entire Shaw family and that through this tragedy, folks will look to God and take comfort in Him. Some of the family are Christians, but others are not.
Pray for my mom to know if she is to go to the funeral or wait until later to go and be with the family.
Thanks for your prayers!
