Jimmie Demory

Jimmy Demory, eldest son of the late Billy Demory and Mittie L. (Sweat) Demory, and husband of Lottie Porter Demory, was born in Jackson, North Carolina on March 14, 1922, and departed this earth on October 27, 2002.Proclamation of LifeDear Dad,We could not write a traditional obituary for you, for that is simply a notice of death, with a brief account of the person’s life. We know that you are not dead, so we serve no notice of death. And as for the brief account of your life, your life was too long and too fruitful for brevity.We instead, would like to thank God for giving us YOU, for a Dad. You sacrificed so many things so that, we, your children could live far better than you did. You had little schooling but transported us to school so that we could get high school, college, graduate, and post-graduate education.You lived in row houses in the city, but was always proud when we moved to big houses in the suburbs. You worked jobs as a laborer, pressing clothes and doing janitorial work, but celebrated with us, as we became teachers, pastors, nurses, business administrators, and yes, even disc jockeys. You were a master at making us feel that the sky, for us, was the limit.You also gave us spiritual guidance. You took us to choir rehearsals, Sunday school, church, or wherever we needed to go. You never criticized us for being too holy or not holy enough. You allowed us to find our own place in Christ and to worship him the way that best suited us. As we took our places as forerunners in the church, you chose to be a doorkeeper and usher people in, always quietly, always with a smile. You were quiet; Dad, but you spoke so loudly. You were a man of few words, but you lived a life that said so much.We especially thank God for your strength, your strength that still trickles in our veins. When you were but a child, the oldest of ten, working on your parent’s farm, you showed strength. When you fought for your country and was wounded in the process, receiving medals for you bravery, you showed strength. When you were slapped in the face with the injustices of life, you showed strength. Even on October 27, 2002 as you left this world, you showed strength. All your life, you have modeled, for us, strength.Today, Dad, we accept the torch that you pass on to us. You have fought a good fight and have finished the course. It is your turn to rest and our turn to fight. You need not worry that we might faint, for we have inherited your strength and we are not afraid. We shall press on toward the mark, just as you did.Even though we will press on, we are very sad that we won’t be able to hug you or see you, in this life again. The thought of you not sitting in your chair with your legs crossed, when we visit, is heart breaking. The thought of you not chowing down on your favorite food is unbelievable. The thought of you never going to the store to get a loaf of bread, again, or plucking and buying the best watermelon, for us, is unbearable. When we think about the simple things you did, our hearts become heavy and we weep. But through our tears, we know, Dad, that this is not good-bye. We are encouraged in knowing that we will see you at the best Family Reunion ever. There’ll be lots of food and plenty of watermelons. There’ll be so much bread until you won’t want anymore. We’ll be so excited to see one another and more excited to crown Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of All. That’s going to be the best reunion we’ve ever had.We’re looking forward to that day where we can once again see one another and thank God that we all made it over. Until then, we will do our best to take care of one another.We love you, and miss you and will forever keep you in our minds and hearts. Hugs and Kisses and so much love…Your Children, Junior, Frog, Big roll, Charlie Brow, Jay and Chicken(Jimmie, Goldia, Boosie (Shirley), Robin (Lois), Jay and Lici (Alicia).P.S. If it is crowded on Family Reunion Day, meet us at the Pearly Gates on the right hand side. ?Left to cherish Jimmie’s memories are his wife, Lottie P. Demory; two sons and four daughters; four brothers, Le, Wilson, Billy and Roosevelt; two sisters, Esther Mae Lockhart and Bettie Mae Edison; twenty-one grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Jimmie Demory

March 14, 1922 - October 27, 2002