Sunbathing

 How do you summarize a life of 99 and a half years?

 

That was the question we tackled yesterday morning while sitting in the lobby at the Embassy Suites in Jacksonville, Florida.

 

We had gotten to Jacksonville less than 24 hours before, missing G-mama’s passing by less than five minutes, cried, played and sang “Precious Lord Take My Hand” and “How Great Thou Art,” born witness to the Hospice nurse’s careful attention to G-mama’s body, sat with G-mama until the funeral home transport arrived, and watched as the funeral home transport rolled her away. We then gathered for one last meal at the facility where G-mama lived and scattered to our respective places of rest after we ate.

 

Some of us rested well; some of us did not. And so we came to the table of memory somewhat weary yet wanting to honor G-mama’s life.

 

One thing I learned about G-mama was that she liked to tan! She was evidently an avid sun-bather?! I had no idea!

 

We also discussed how G-mama enjoyed General Hospital and QVC for many years. I had forgotten about those slight obsessions, yet now I remember how she had recorded General Hospital every day on VHS and created her own form of DVR long before it was popular!

 

In the end, after reminiscing and sharing memories, this is what we wrote:

 

“Nina Louise Shearin Kidd, of Jacksonville, FL, passed away peacefully on February 12, 2022. 

 

Nina was born on June 13, 1922, in Hollister, NC, to the late Alva Martin and Ethel Capps Shearin. She married Virgil Alfred “June” Kidd, Jr. on September 6, 1942. Nina was a graduate of John Graham High School in Warrenton, NC, and Campbell Junior College in Buies Creek, NC. 

Nina is survived by daughters Sandra Deaton (Dan), Lillington, NC; June Gail Kidd, Jacksonville, FL; and Shearin Johnson (Paul), Jacksonville, FL. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Dana Deaton (Finley Lee), Raleigh, NC; Daniel Deaton (Gretchen), Holly Springs, NC; Stephen Conner, Jacksonville, FL; and Deanna Deaton, Lillington, NC, and her five great-grandchildren, Jack, Henry, Griffin, Charlie, and Amelia. Further, she is survived by her sister, Lillie Litzsinger of Largo, FL, and many nieces and nephews. 

 

Nina was preceded in death by her husband, June; and sisters Margaret Landis and Lorine McCoy, both of Rocky Mount, NC.

 

Nina was a member of Mayfair Baptist Church for over 40 years and also attended Southside Christian Church. Nina lived in her home on Mandalay Road in Holiday Hill for 60 years. She was a dedicated homemaker who truly loved her family. She was also a bookkeeper at Lee and Cates. Nina liked sewing, music, going to the beach, going on cruises, jewelry, Bloomin’ Onions, and chocolate. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched. 

In addition to flowers, donations can be made to the Campbell University, PO Box 125, Buies Creek, NC 27506 to establish a scholarship in her name. Please designate Nina Kidd on the gift.”

 

So how do you summarize a life of 99 and a half years?

 

I don’t know.

 

But I hope we did it justice.