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I attended the graveside service this afternoon for Dixie Light Self. Her family gave me a copy of a poem she had written many years ago. Dixie wrote the poem, framed it and gave it to a friend of hers. The friend brought the poem to the hospital just before Dixie passed away and gave it to her sons. I wanted to share this with everyone. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

HOME

Home was a little house on top of a hill
With a Mama and Daddy who worked in the mill.
They had seven children, two of whom died.
It was a struggle to raise us but oh! How they tried!
They wanted to give us all the things they had not.
They surely succeeded by the things that we got.
My treasures will not buy many things you can see
But truly they’re worth more than the whole world to me.
My first treasure is faith, the second is love,
The third is forgiveness, which comes from above.
In my thoughts I go back to that home on the hill-
To my Mama and Daddy who worked in the mill;
For in so doing I find treasures anew
In the things they would say and the things they would do.
Dear God, we do thank you for the things that we had:
For our wonderful Mama and our wonderful Dad.

Cleo Light

DIXIE LIGHT SELF OBITUARY

Dixie Light Self, 87, of Oak Ridge, went to her heavenly home on November 25, 2009.She was born October 9, 1922 in Siler City, NC, the daughter of Henry and Essie McMasters Light. Mrs. Self was a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church and Order of the Eastern Star #390. She enjoyed ceramics, knitting and cooking. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, Arnold K. Self; brother, Howard Light; sister, Elizabeth Furgeson and infant sisters. She is survived by Sons, Kenneth Henry Self Sr., and wife Betty of Harriman and Wesley A. Self of Oak Ridge; Grandson – Kenneth Henry Self Jr. and wife Carol of Oak Ridge; Great Granddaughter – Madison Leigh Self, an 8th grader at Jefferson Middle School; and Sisters, June Carol Kelley of NC and Sara Pike of VA and numerous nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 28, 2009 from 6 – 8pm at Weatherford Mortuary. There will be an Eastern Star Service at 8pm, led by members of OES #390, followed by the funeral at 8:15pm with Rev. Garvan Walls officiating. A graveside service will be held on Sunday at 2pm at Haven Hill Memorial Gardens in Madisonville, TN. An on-line guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I want to wish everyone in the family a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for. May God bless your homes this holiday season.

Barry Self

DIXIE SELF HAS DIED

Dixie Self, widow of Arnold Self, passed away this morning in a Knoxville, TN hospital. Funeral arrangements will be annouced later by Weatherford Mortuary, Oak Ridge, TN.

JIMMY ELBERT MCLEMORE OBITUARY

Jimmy Elbert McLemore, age 71, of Maryville, TN, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on November 14, 2009. He was a beloved husband and father who was a faithful servant of the Lord and sang his praises for 35 years. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church, where he was a deacon for 34 years. He also owned and operated McLemore Garage for 40 years. Preceded in death by his parents, Elbert and Ella Self McLemore; brother, Eddie McLemore and sister, Shirley Bryant. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Marie McLemore; daughters, Lynnette Lynn and Lisa Gregory; daughter and son in law, Selena and Paul Sargent; grandchildren, Chad Goins and wife, Mai-Linh, Jesse Marie and Joseph Gregory, Braydon Sargent; great grandchildren, Kadie Buchanan, Dominic and Ty Goins; brothers, Danny McLemore, Harold McLemore and wife, Barbara; sisters, Agnes Potter, Delores Webb, Nadine Booth and husband, Larry; sons in law, Roger Goins and Jeff Gregory; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be held 8:00 p.m. Monday, November 16, 2009 at Friendship Baptist Church, Rev. Scott Campbell officiating. Graveside service and interment will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday at the Church. Arrangements by Miller Funeral Home, Maryville (865) 982-6041, www.millerfuneralhome.org.

Jimmy McLemore is a nephew to Bonnie Self Rogers, who passed away one week ago today. (See her obituary on this site too.)

BONNIE SELF ROGERS OBITUARY

Bonnie S. Rogers, age 88, of Maryville, TN went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, November 7, 2009. She was a faithful and devoted member of East Maryville Baptist church for over 65 years. She had a loving, caring spirit and believed all things could be accomplished through Christ, who strengthened her.She was preceded in death by husband, Otha L. Rogers; son-in-law, Robert K. “Bob” Howard, Sr.; parents, Simpson and Julia Self; brothers, Douglas, Sanford, Bluford and Austin; sisters, Bertha White, Angie Self, Ella McLemore and Ruth Bryant. Survivors, daughter, Bonnie Jean and husband Coye Blankenship of Greenback; grandchildren, Robert K. “Bobby” Howard, Jr. and wife Debbie of Murfreesboro; Tracy Hyatt and husband Richard of Greenback; step granddaughter, Deanna Swiney and husband, Scott of Chattanooga; great-grandchildren, Robby and Rusty Howard of Murfreesboro, Kristen Hyatt Vincent and husband, Ryan of Maryville and Kelly Hyatt of Maryville; step-great grand children, Sarah and Nick Swiney of Chattanooga. Brothers, J S and Charles Self, both of Maryville; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ola Mae Self, Gladys Self, Cleo Self, Rev. Fred C. Self and Anna Mae, Leroy and Faye Rogers, Bill and Betty Rogers of Georgia. Lucille Caughron of Knoxville, Barbara Lamb of Georgia, along with many special nieces, nephews and friends.Family will receive friends at East Maryville Baptist Church on Tuesday, November 10 from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. With funeral services at 7:00 P.M. Rev. Keith Johnson and Rev. David Webster officiating. Family and friends will meet on Wednesday, November 11 at 11:00 a.m. for burial at East Maryville Baptist Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Gideon International, Blount County South Camp, P O Box 4035, Maryville, TN 37802-4035.

The photo above is of Bonnie Rogers and her daughter, Bonnie Jean Blankenship. The picture was taken this past September at the Self Family Reunion in Maryville, TN.