Lord had mercy: The grandma I never knew, welcomed my mother 'home'

My grandmother, Bessie Fern Powell, held me when I was a baby.

I don't remember her. I was 2 years old when she died in October, 1955, at age 61 of cancer.

But I pray for her repose regularly, along with her husband, my grandfather Luther Powell, and my other grandparents, departed uncles and aunts and cousins, and a few folks, passed away and still living, who were sources of pain --and thus learning -- in my life.

So, all I have of Bessie is the memory of an old black-and-white snapshot my mother showed me. It was of my grandmother, who hailed from the Scots McGinnis family, holding me, wrapped in blanket.

That photo may be among the few belongings she left behind. I've not, yet, been able to bring myself to go through them.

Mom passed away on June 28, age 91, after years of being ravaged by Alzheimer's disease. I had seen her last in late March, when I buried by father. During our visits we had a few seconds of her being "present," a smile and a laugh, before the blank eyes and drifting off to sleep regained increasing, and terminal dominion.

Staff at her nursing home in Cheney, Wash., had told me her last few weeks were non-responsive ones. And finally, in the early morning hours a couple weeks ago, she just stopped. So, that was my image of her final breaths in this life, as I have prayed the Eastern Orthodox Christian Akathist for the Departed the past week or so.

But, back to Bessie.

Today I learned of another piece of the story of Katherine Mims' final moments, one that means so very, very much.

Late the day before she was found deceased, a staffer told my family, Mom awoke out of her near-coma briefly, shouting with surprised delight: "Mama!"

And then, she fell asleep again. As far as we know, she never awakened again, at least in this world.

Could it be? My heart tells me, yes.

Thanks, Grandma Bessie.

I look forward to someday seeing, and remembering you, for eternity.

The pain of grief, the joy of release: Until we meet again, Mom

 

I lost my 96-year-old father, the Rev. Robert Mims, in January. On Friday, my mother, Katherine, 91, joined him.

Dad left this world while holding her hand earlier this year at Cheney (Wash.) Care Center. Their separation was brief, their reunion eternal.

Like him, she passed away in her sleep, her internal organs having finally failed, long after Alzheimer's disease had robbed her of her memories, and her ability to speak or understand. But, until the last couple weeks when she lost consciousness and remained nonresponsive, this horrible disease had not taken her smile, or her spontaneous laughter.

Like Dad, her passing was a mercy, the end of her suffering a blessing.

As an Orthodox Christian, I am again beginning a 40-day period of the Akathist Prayer to Christ for the Departed, an ancient vigil for her soul and peaceful reunion with Dad, in the light and love of Our Lord.

I wonder how she feels about that.

A Pentecostal preacher's daughter and wife, she is now the subject of the prayers of the Theotokos, her guardian angel, and her son, amid votive candlelight and soft, gray clouds of incense.

I would imagine she is delighted, surprised and in wonder at how truly indescribable paradise is.

I see her in my father's arms, bathed in the love of God, discussing it all.

That makes me smile, amid the tears.

---------------

Katherine Mims 1928-2019

Katherine Alberta (Powell) Mims, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and wife of the late Rev. Robert Elliot Mims, passed away on June 28, 2019 of causes related to old age. She was 91.

Katherine, known for her open acceptance and love for all, especially those hurting from the sad vagaries of life, was a prayer warrior, unafraid witness for her Christian faith. Even as Alzheimer’s disease robbed her of memories, speech and physical health over the past few years, she always had a smile for visitors, especially children.

Katherine died at Cheney Care Center, where six months earlier she had held hands with her husband of 71 years, Robert, as he quietly passed. Their separation was blessedly brief, their reunion eternal.
Born Jan. 10, 1928 in Helena, MT, she was the daughter of the Rev. Luther and Bessie Powell, one of 14 children. Katherine is survived by one brother, John Powell (wife Kathleen), of Spokane, WA; one sister, Marlynn (husband Robert) Castor, of Lake Stevens, WA.; son Robert Mims Jr (wife Barbara), of Salt Lake City, UT; daughter Carolyn Mims, of Airway Heights, WA.;  two grandchildren, Robert A. Mims (Rachel), West Valley City, UT, and Brenda (Idal) Tchoundjo, Towson, MD; and great-grandchildren Joshua Mims, West Valley City, UT, and Lela, Gabriel and Nathan Tchoundjo, of Towson, MD.

Katherine, whose energetic gospel piano style was a perfect companion to Robert’s banjo, was also an equal partner in the more than 75 years of ministry they shared as a couple. Together, they worked first as evangelists, and then as a pastoral team with the Assemblies of God and Open Bible fellowships. Their last pastorate was non-denominational, at the Garden Springs Community Church in west Spokane, from where Robert retired from fulltime ministry in 1970.

Katherine worked for several years after that at Sacred Heart Medical Center’s switchboard, where her willingness to pray personally with co-workers and patients alike won her many admirers and friends.
A graveside memorial service is being planned for Aug. 22, 10:30 a.m., at Fairmont Memorial Park, 5200 W. Wellesley Ave., Spokane, WA.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to either the Life Services Pregnancy Resource Center & Maternity Home (https://lifeservices.org) or The Alzheimer's Association (https://www.alz.org/nca/donate).