Monday - Missouri - A New Week Preparing for Ben's Funeral

Monday: Lane and Hannah arrived last night, the trip was already planned as Luke has a Head Coaching job interview today. 
Travis and Mackenzie flew in late Tuesday at St. Louis.
Mia and Mike, Madison, Michael Aaron arrived, they are staying with Lester and their Aunt Dee.

We drove to Bloomfield's Christian's Memorial and ordered our headstone. We then went to the Bloomfield Library and the librarian found the Miles Morgan obituary from 1927 for Ford!

We went to Chili's for dinner with Bill and Joan (Piolet House was closed for their annual employee appreciation float day). AA and I split the worst ever nachos!

AA and I exercised, had the daily complimentary cookies and relaxed until bed time. I posted about Benny on Facebook, once I saw Kaci post on line. Many nice comments, it is very hard on Ford and Bill, losing their sibling.

Tuesday: Mia and Mike are driving today, we met at our hotel with Lester and girlfriend Jean. Nice chat, short visit before they left for dinner. I did a load of laundry, nice having clean clothes for the coming week. Stephanie stopped in before going to Cathy Rhodes (stayed with her in Jackson, Bent Creek Golf Course). We went to dinner with Bill, Joad, Stephanie at the Pilot House. Fried catfish filets with their house salad/hot bacon dressing.

Wednesday: We took our time getting ready; I walked and chatted with Mom on the phone, we left for Advance at 11:40 a.m. Visitation 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Funeral at 3:00 p.m., Officiant Rev. Eric Shrum (also a history teacher, took a great photo oof Ben, Bill and Bill Sr. at Lane's first Jr. High basketball game), with a few songs (If I can only Imagine, an Elvis song...). The Graveside burial was simple but well executed with the US Army presenting the flag to Travis and three gun salute. Dinner catered at Fox Haven: fried chicken, roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, salad, cake and cobbler, Joan brought Cook's champagne and beer. Nana Joy, her daughters Donna (Megan) and Candy; cousin Stephanie, Nikki and Chris, The Morge's, Lester and Jean, Travis and Mackenzie, the Drum's, Sharon (Pete) Murphy, Lane, Hannah and Collins (9 months old), Jack, Lane and Kaci, Susie (family owned Puxico Funeral Home).

Cathy Rhodes and Ford recalled a story going to Mississippi to meet up with the Strobel's, brought a radio (before boom boxes). Lots of stories while visiting and eating, but no one writing them down. 

Bill, Candy, Ford and Joy.

Travis, Bill, Ford, Mia:

Bill, Travis, Nikki, Ford, Mia, Kaci:

Bill, Travis, Nikki, Ford, Mia, Kaci:

Plus Alyzabeth:

Cousin Stephanie:

Thursday: Driving to Colonial Williamsburg.

Benny Dean Morgan 10/30/1944 - 06/25/2023

Ford's oldest brother's obituary: Benny Dean Morgan. 10/30/1944 - 06/25/2023 Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Benny Dean Morgan, 78, of Cape Girardeau, MO, passed away June 25, 2023, at Capetown Senior Living. He was born October 30, 1944, in Cape Girardeau, he was the son of William (Bill) and Marjorie Lou Murphy Morgan, Sr.
Benny was a 1963 graduate of Advance High School. During his high school years, he had been President of the Student Council and an All-State Basketball player for the Advance Hornets. In January 2023, Benny and his 1961 varsity Hornet teammates were inducted into the Advance High School Hall of Fame.
Throughout his teen years he often helped work at his family business, Morgan Funeral Home in Advance.
Benny earned a basketball scholarship to Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN. He earned his bachelors degree in biology from Southeast Missouri State University in 1967. While at SEMO, he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Later he went on to earn a masters degree in microbiology from the University of Mississippi Ole Miss in Oxford, MS.
Benny proudly served his county in the U.S. Army Reserve for six years. During this time, he became a Drill Sergeant at Fort Polk in Vernon Parish, Louisiana. He retired after a 30-year career as a scientist with Abbott Laboratories. Often his career required traveling the country and abroad.
Benny was a lifelong student of history and geography. He was an enthusiastic world traveler, who enjoyed telling stories about his journeys. Always with a smile on his face, Benny had a kind and gentle demeanor. He was a loving and supportive father and protective and idolized big brother.
Survivors include: his son, Travis (Mackenzie) Morgan of Cedar Hill, TX a daughter, Christina (Aaron) Jackman of Las Vegas, NV two brothers, William Bill (Joan) Morgan, Jr. of Cape Girardeau and Ford (Aly) Morgan of Fleming Island, FL two sisters, Mia Lou (Michael) Morge of Sharpsburg, GA and Tiffany Morgan Deimund of Boerne, TX; step-mother, Joy Morgan of Okeechobee, FL; step-father, Lester Abner of Bloomfield; a grandson and several nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Bill Morgan, Sr. and his mother, Marjorie Lou Abner and his biological father, Paul Dean Smith, who tragically died in a work accident in 1946.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff and residents of Capetown Senior Living for the love and care they gave Benny.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, 6/28/23, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Morgan Funeral Chapel in Advance. Funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Eric Shrum officiating. Burial will follow at Morgan Memorial Park in Advance. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations to the Stoddard County Children's Home, P.O. Box 164, Dexter, MO 63841. 

https://www.semissourian.com/story/3000809.html

Photo of Ben: 8 weeks old (about 12/26/44) with mother Marjorie Lou.

Ford, Ben and Bill, basketball game in Nashville (Feb. 2007):

Sunday, Missouri - Ben's Passing

Ben Dean Morgan passed this morning, Bill received the call that the time was close and picked up Ford. Bill knew Ben had passed once he was in the room, time was probably close to 10:00 a.m. Bill had to leave, compose himself; he had been Ben's daily companion and caretaker for several years.

Luke arrived, and with Bill's help, moved Ben outside to the hearse, transported Ben to the Funeral Home (Advance, MO). 

We were going to visit Lester, but have postponed to another day.

We notified Mia, Joy, Leaa and Justin along with my Maine family, spoke to my Mom (Terri, Dick and Melissa were all with her). Justin called and spoke to Ford. 

Ford arrived back at the room, had a short rest, we ate leftover pizza from Pagliai's for lunch. Bill texted for us to come to his home, Kaci was there, discussing funeral and obituary plans. 

We called cousin Beth, had a nice catch-up chat, it has been a long time since we have called.

We went to Culver's for dinner, nice burgers, fries and cole slaw. Reached 100 degrees today!

Chatted with Leaa at the end of the day, Liv is having an issue with one socket/removed wisdom tooth, now on an antibiotic. 

AA's leg is sore, she is putting 100% weight on the leg, may be too much, icing her knee each night. 

Hoping we all get some rest tonight!

Our Time In Missouri

Wednesday (21st): We drove 14 hours, arrived at our Holiday Inn Express. Ford left almost immediately with Bill to sit with Ben. Ben is slowly dying, being made comfortable.
We ate the remaining lunch we brought from home (ribs, pasta salad). Tired, we stretched, (AA did her PT exercises) and very late by the time I showered and all settled.

Thursday (22nd): We woke early (5 am) and enjoyed the hotel breakfast which opened at 6 am. We talked with Bill and Joan, decided Ford would get Bill (his car was in the shop) pick up boxes (for packing up Ben's assisted living townhouse) and visit with Ben. We dressed for dinner, Bill and Joan picked us up, enjoyed a glass of wine with Kaci/Luke, and had delicious food at the Cape Golf Country Club; Jack joined us (Jack left by the time we took the group photo). Great catching up with family, thanks to Bill and Joan.

We went to see Ben, so sad to see him alive but not alive. AA was reminded of seeing Ian struggle for breaths and we stepped out in the hallway and had a good cry. Then back to the hotel, had a complimentary cookie and then bedtime! AA was very tired and her leg was sore, mostly from more walking on that leg (just going to one crutch) plus pool walking and using stationary bike. 

Friday (23rd): Bill and Joan picked us up go see the farm at 9:30 a.m. (about 50 minutes away - 5 miles northwest of Advance/Dongola). We saw the pond, cabin and enjoyed lunch Joan brought (Honey Baked Turkey/Turkey salad, with chips). Bill caught several catfish and released them back into a side creek, says there are two many catfish in his pond, along with trout, bass and 2500 stocked crappie/brim.

While Ford and Bill checked on Ben again, Joan, AA and I boxed up some of Ben's belongings. We all had a glass of wine while chatting before heading back to our room. We walked next door to the Olive garden for dinner, had lasagna, chicken scampi and spaghetti and meatballs plus the limitless salad (brought home half our dinners for lunch in the room on Saturday).

Saturday (24th): Today was the day we had planned to visit with Mia on our way to Cape. We have been here three nights already. Bill picked up Ford at 10:30 am to see Ben (I chatted with my Mom); AA and I went to the exercise facility, perfect for AA on the recumbent stationary bike. AA and I then went to Walmart to buy laundry supplies and birthday cards, then to JC Penney's. We will explore the shops more tomorrow, there is an Old Navy and large Barnes and Noble store in the "old/closed" mall. We ate our leftovers for lunch. 

We made a few phone calls, to Joy, she already had a trip planned to Shelby's (Scott City), then to Debbie's (Lake of the Ozark's), then a meet up in Colorado; so she will be here Monday evening through Wednesday. We talked with Marty and he said it is not a good time to visit. And we have planned a visit with Lester tomorrow at 1 pm. Ford went with Bill at 3 pm to Ben's.

Bill and Joan picked us up for dinner at Pagliai's Pizza & Pasta, 1129 Broadway St, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701. A lively, friendly place who all know Bill and Joan by name. Delicious food, very busy, glad we got to go. We stopped by the Chateau to see the two rental apartment's available, and at first I thought we should rent one, only $75 per night but after talking to Ford, he had his reasons why not.

Relaxed back at our room, had a hot cookie (offered every night at 8 pm) and watched TV.

Sunday (25th): While getting ready in the morning to visit Lester, Bill called and said they needed to get to Ben's side. About 10:15 a.m. Ben passed. RIP.

Monday June 19th

Monday: Federal Holiday JuneTeenth, so we were not able to go into the bank or library. We made Rice Krispie Treats and a pasta salad for tomorrow's RH happy hour dinner. We did laundry and I worked for four hours, Ford went to his Parkinson exercises. 

Hugh had a wonderful time at Father's Day at Erin's (he and Maureen drove to Tampa):

And the Missouri Morgan's were at Libby's engagement to Cade:

We finally got in for pedicures about 3:30 p.m., we needed our toes done (and Ford had a mani too)!

I have a small bruise/soft spot on my right big toe (left side of nail) - will see a doctor about it.

V's Pizza and caprese salad for dinner.

Tuesday: AA went to PT. Ford had a dermatologist appointment but we cancelled once we decided to drive to Missouri on Wednesday.

Took Ginger to Carolyn's, then to take the truck to Honda dealer for express service - they told us that our truck wasn't ready and bring back after our trip. We decided to have lunch at Woodpeckers, Ford has been wanting to go - the food was plentiful, delicious.

Alyzabeth's ribs - big and many!

AA and I went to the Library, dropped off books, bought two paperbacks and checked out books for our trip.

River House for Happy Hour, having our "dinner" there. We brought a pasta salad and dessert of Rice Krispie Treats. Kathy brought Outlaw Chicken salad and Hugh brought chicken wings. All good, survived another wet day with torrential rains!

We picked our green beans - yummy! We were full from a huge Woodpeckers lunch, then from our RH dinner... Finished packing with only the cooler and toiletries in the morning!

Wednesday: Driving to Cape Girardeau; to see Ben.

June 12th - 17th

Monday: After breakfast, AA had a severe migraine, vomiting four times. By early afternoon, she was napping and almost back to normal. We have no idea what caused it, no new foods, no fever. 

Once she was well, we went to visit Larry Bradley - took him some red beans and rice. Our dinner was left over red beans and rice.

Tuesday: AA went to her rescheduled PT, I walked while chatting with Mom. She should be down to one crutch soon!

We went to the Cummer Art Museum (free on two Tuesday's) and then to Biscotti's for dinner. AA needs to go back as she really wanted to try the salmon lentil salad. Ford and I ordered full dinners and enjoyed the food (no drinking, tea and water for us).

Wednesday: Dr. Sacksteder appointment. 

Nasha and Siyan stopped by to deliver honey I had ordered from the Collins. River House for Happy Hour. 

Thursday: AA went to PT.

Terrible storm ran through our area, at least three inches of rain and high winds! I made a new Chicken Cacciatore casserole for dinner - didn't need to cook the pasta before assembling. All was good except too much water in all the vegetables (should require sautéing/cooking and the 1.5 cup of added water was too much).

Friday: Drove to Carolyn's so Ginger would be reacquainted and we could get in the pool. Carolyn was cleaning the pool, so we picked up, watered plants and swept her patio area. We brought Tropical Smoothies for refreshment/breakfast. We left at 12:15 p.m. as she had a doctor's appointment. Ford grocery shopped and we had panzanella for dinner..

Saturday: Baked red velvet cupcakes, make ahead mashed potatoes and made the Brussel sprout slaw Sunday morning.

We kept moving, running errands (and picking up lunch from Chipotle's) and frosted five cupcakes to take to the River House happy hour. We had leftovers for dinner (the chicken cacciatore).

Sunday: Father's Day at Marsha/Carl's - separate post.