My Nanny: Ella Mae Reeves

If you have been following along on my social media, you know that my grandmother, Mopsy, passed away on Friday morning, November 9th. She was such a beautiful, strong, sweet, hilarious woman and she will be missed dearly. She suffered for years from Binswanger disease which stole her away from us bit by bit for a long time. We are all thankful and at peace that she is now in her whole, eternal body in heaven. My Mom asked me to write her eulogy, which was such a difficult task but one I was honored to do. I have decided to share it here with you to honor her memory, and took keep this eulogy for a long time.

As I took in the news that my grandmother would was soon to be with Jesus, and when my mom asked me to honor her today in this eulogy, I went to the one place I knew I could find guidance and comfort: God’s Word. I prayed that God would give the right words to say, and He brought this passage to mind:

54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." 55 "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 15:54-57 Take comfort, though we may be saddened by her absence, that Ella Mae Reeves experienced glorious victory in her passing. She was set free from the chains of sin and disease, and armed with eternal life with her Savior.

Ella Mae Reeves was born in San Antonio Texas, to Ada Belle and Jewell David McCollum on September 17th, 1943. She lived 75 years on this earth. She had one sister and one brother: Merwin Lowell and Linda Jewell. She was the mother to Carrie Annette, and grandmother to Hannah, Devin, Whitney, Troy, Cody, Kaydee, and Veronica. Her best friend was Emma Lou. She was Ella Mae, Mopsy, Momma, Sweetheart, and as she was known most dearly to me, Nanny.

Today as we celebrate the life of my Nanny, I can only think of the beautiful reception of open arms that awaited her at the gates of Heaven in the second she passed. I am sure that as Jesus Christ welcomed her home, she was met too, by family. I know that her mother and father rejoiced greatly at her entrance. As well as her siblings, Linda and Moe. Her Nephew, Troy and Her two grandchildren Devin Taylor Collins and Hannah Marie Merritt, welcomed her with open arms. Many more were overjoyed to see her, I know. There is a great big Texan Family Reunion.

When I was young, I used to think about all of the fun times that were had with my Nanny. Going to her house in the summers was so fun, and I know we all looked forward to the birthdays that she would visit us. I remember as we would drive the long hours to Houston, I would get so excited to Sam Houston, knowing we were almost to Nanny’s. Her house was always a place of fun and joy, a place where the whole family got together on the front porch to laugh and share crazy stories.

Now, as an adult, when I think of my nanny, I think about how strong of a woman she truly was. She faced many hardships and broken hearts, but she never gave up on the Lord. Mopsy worked hard to provide for her daughter as a single mom, and raised her to love the Lord. Without that perseverance and faithfulness, our family would not be the same. Nanny carried on the legacy of her mother, and her children and grandchildren and great grandchildren to come will be blessed because of it. She was filled with strength and endurance, turning always to the Savior.

Nanny was bold. She was not afraid to tell you like it was, or ask for something even though it seemed absurd to everyone else. I remember one summer when I was eleven, that I got to spend time all by myself with Nanny and Papa. She had promised me that we could go to the mall, and in her Nanny way, we got lost (mind you, on the way to a mall she had been to many times before!). We got so lost that we drove into a construction sight. I was so confused and told her we need to turn around, but she kept driving until she saw someone and asked for directions! She was bold and stubborn, but I think that’s something that we all love about her.

She was bold in that she was not afraid to share the Gospel with any body at any time. Whether It be the woman who painted her nails, the cashier at the Kroger who called when she left her credit card again, or the many stubborn men who sat on her front porch talking away with her husband.

Oh, my Nanny, she loved so. She loved everyone around her. She cared for us, gave to us, and told us how important we are. I remember feeling like a rock star when I talked to Nanny, because she always told her grand kids the best things about themselves (in between asking us all the time if we had a boyfriend or girlfriend). I will never forget the way my grandmother made me feel: confident, brave, beautiful. No matter what stage of life I was in, she had a way of reassuring me that I was loved, and that it would all be okay, even if she didn’t say it outright, I always knew it.

And my Nanny, she was loved so. Her grandchildren all have adored her forever. We do miss her dearly, and will cherish our memories with her always.

Her daughter, my Mom, loved her almost more than anyone did. They were very best friends. I remember as a little girl, my mom had to buy long distance cards to call Nanny. I remember hearing her type in the long number, and then spending hours on the phone with Nanny discussing everyone and everything. My Mom’s Texan accent would flair up as soon as she dialed the number. Their relationship was a sweet one, and one I am thankful to have witnessed in my life. They spent their lives depending on one another and being there for one another. My Nanny was loved by her daughter.

Nanny was loved by her son in law, my dad, who I have heard say many times that he is thankful for a mother in law like her, and how blessed he was.

Nanny was loved by my Uncle David, who I know she loved like a son, and who has been there to support her and my Papa in these hard days.

Nanny was loved by so many people, so many people I could not list them all. But most of all, my Nanny was loved by my Papa. He loved her for 23 years. He was patient, kind, and loving throughout all the years, but especially in the last, most difficult ones. He cared for her and loved her with the most patient and sacrificial love until her last breath. I’m so thankful that my Nanny had someone who loved and adored her as much as she deserved. I’m so thankful for a man who was willing to go to the end of the earth for her, my Papa.

There are so many wonderful memories, so many beautiful things to say about my grandmother, but one thing I have found to be most important. One thing I cling to in the sadness and hurt. On November 9th, my Nanny passed from death into abundant and eternal life. That is what I will always remember: that she loved Her savior, and one day, we will see her again. For that, I am thankful.