I went with Ray and Amy to Virden on January 24, 2015 for Bernard's funeral. We always enjoy seeing the Gila Valley Temple on the way.
The trip to Virden brings back so many memories.
We rolled down the windows to feel the fresh new Mexico air like Jay always did.
Amy got a good picture of Steeple Rock in the background in this photo.
We arrived early so took time to drive up to where Mom and Dad Richardson lived.
This is where we firsts brought our little girls to visit their grandparents.
We loved our visits to the wonderful parents that lived here.
The lane down to the house is now called "Sandhill Crane":.
The beautiful valley of Virden
This was my first view of Virden the first time Jay took me to his home town.
Jay wrote a poem about "The beautiful valley of Virden.......
Sheltered in the hills"
I enjoyed taking pictures of the beautiful valley.
We have a beautiful paianting of Steeple Rock in our home that Joann painted for her Dad.
We drove back into Virden.
The sign entering Virden is in front of their old school.
On all our trips to Virden we drive by the old school where Jay and his brothers and sister attended.
Jay always enjoyed telling us stories of their happy school years here.
We remembered eating watermelon in front of this old tree on one of our visits to Virden.
Lots of wonderful good people went to this school.
Bernard's funeral was held in the old Virden Church.
His children had a beautiful display showing his life.
Joyce always talks about her sweetheart Bernard. They enjoyed 70 years of married life together.
I tried to get the display from several angles to capture all of it in my memory.
This was a tribute to a great man.
Joyce and Ann welcomed family and friends in front of Bernard's casket. The funeral services were beautiful. The tributes and memories and talks from his family were great as we celebrated the life of a great man.
I enjoyed a visit with Bertnard's daughter Lisa and her son who flew from Canada for the funeral.
Bernard was buried in Virden in the same cemetery where Jay is buried
This is our family plot.
This is where I will be buried by the side of my eternal companion.
Bernard's grave was not far from our family plot.
Bernard and Joyce's grandsons were the pallbearers.
Bernard's brother and Jay's twin brother told some of his memories of Bernard . He told how Bernafd at age 17 built an indoor bathroom for the family.
Bernard's brothers and their sons sang, "O My Father". I missed Jay being there to sing with them.
Bernard was given a military tribute.
The United States flag was taken from the top of his casket.
The flag was carefully folded and given to Bernard's widow, Joyce.
Bernard's wife and children are sitting by his grave.
I took this photo from our family plot showing how close Bernard is buried to his brother.
I know that Jay and Bernard had a great reunion. He was also greeted by his parents and family members Chad, Erwin and Mary Lou, Edwin and Virginia, Elaine and Roy and Marion and Jay.
Mark and Marlene also came to Virden nfor the funeral. We are standing in front of our family plot.
The graves of my sons Donald and Dale. I look forward to being with them again.
We brought flowers to put on Jay's grave and Donald and Dale's graves.
Donna, Lucile and Verna with their cousin Marlene in front of their parent's graves.
Amy is sitting on the bench that we put on our family plot.
Charles came over to visit with us. We fondly remember the time he lived with us after his parents died.
The little bench makes a nice place to sit and think of our loved ones that have passed on.
Jay's grandmother is buried here.
The village of Virden Cemetery is peaceful and well kept.
The folks in Virden provided a luncheon for the family after the services.
Joyce is missing her sweetheart so much.
Bernard and Joyce's family pose for a picture after the services.
The old church at Virden has so many memories.
Bernard and Joyce's have a beautiful family of six children, 28 grandchildren, 71 great grand -children and 2 great-great grand children.
There is lots of cotton grown in Virden.
Amy stopped to pick up some cotton to take home.
We enjoyed a beautiful sunset on the way home to Mesa and Chandler.
Sunday, January 25th Ray took me over to Peoria to see Jay's youngest brother Chet and his wife Evelyn.
On the way we passed the stadium where the Super Bowl will be held next week.
Chet showed me their huge yard and picked some grapefruit for me.
Chet has a riding lawn mower to mow all the grass on his property.
They have lots of fruit trees and a nice garden on their property in Peoria.
I had a nice visit with Chet and Evelyn while Ray went to a fireside.
Evelyn has been ill so was not able to attned the funeral in Virden.
Monday evening, January 26th Ray made curry for us for dinner.
Amy , Ray and I enjoyed a home evening together.
I drove out to the Gilbert Temple for an endowment session on Tuesday, January 27th.
This is a beautiful "House of the Lord".
