|
|
|
|
|
By Mike Barnett
Editor
Goodbye, old friend...
Longtime Farm Bureau employee Sharon Elliott, whom I had the pleasure of working with for many years, passed away recently. Her untimely death left us unprepared, as we struggle to accept what is inevitable for all of us.
Services for Sharon were held in Waco. Her final place of rest was near her childhood home, some 40 miles west of Waco at a small church cemetery near Coryell City.
That drive...along winding country roads, bordered by fallow fields, grazing cows and lush pastures made uncommonly green by abundant summer rains...brought Sharon back to her roots. She was a country girl at heart and she came home to the country to rest.
Goodbye, old friend...
Sharon's rural upbringing was evident in her work as secretary to Gene Hall, Public Relations director for Texas Farm Bureau.
There was no job too big or too small for Sharon to tackle. No matter how hard or simple, she worked each task with the same intensity, enthusiasm and desire.
She never let you down. She was loyal to the Public Relations Division and Texas Farm Bureau. When she finished her work she'd go looking for more. And when she hit a roadblock, Sharon knew how to bully her way through.
But she also had a heart of gold. Sharon would do anything for anybody. And seldom did anyone have to ask.
Goodbye, old friend...
As we drove to the cemetery as part of the funeral procession, I was once again reminded of the inner goodness of country people and the concern they have for their fellow man. We came upon a freshly plowed field. There sat a huge John Deere 9020 series tractor pulling a triple-set tandem disk, idling, the young man stopping his work in a sign of respect as we passed. He couldn't have been more than 18 years old. He didn't know Sharon. But he was raised right. His country heritage dictated he honor Sharon's life and recognize our sorrow.
Goodbye, old friend...
As we continued driving to the cemetery, I was reminded of the life/death cycle that is so familiar to those in the country.
I was reminded how fleeting life can be. I remembered the hard work and willingness to do more and more that was a trademark of Sharon Elliott. I remembered her value of friends and family, and know how much they will miss her. Sharon planted a seed of love and care in so many hearts. And now she is gone.
Goodbye, old friend...
All of those thoughts ran through my head as we neared the cemetery. I glanced out the car window. An old man stood in his pasture, checking his cows. As we passed, he took off a worn and tattered cowboy hat, placing it over his heart. It was evident the man had suffered loss in his long life. He now was sharing ours.
Goodbye, old friend...
A couple of miles later, we pulled up to Sharon's final resting place. Gathered to say their final farewells were the friends and family who played such a big part of shaping a wonderful and full life. Sharon was born of the people of the earth and to the earth she returned…all too soon.
Goodbye, old friend... You will be missed.
