My dad's youngest brother, Samuel Claude Meadows, passed away early yesterday morning, surrounded by his family who loved him so so much. I just know he was greeted by my grandparents, my daddy, my Uncle Kent, Aunt Marlene, and Aunt Imogene when he crossed over!
![Image may contain: 13 people, including Lana Meadows, Shell B Ann, Sheyenne Pepper and Stephen A. Pierce, people smiling, people standing, tree, sky, outdoor and nature](https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/25994555_10211236559935125_4048195082691794479_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_ht=scontent-dfw5-2.xx&oh=c21364ec9403a17b31341a4d3790101c&oe=5CE35605)
This picture represents my Uncle Sam well! His family was most important to him. My dad was from a tiny town just across the border in Louisiana, about a two hour drive from where we lived. Growing up we would go over at least once a month, maybe more (seemed like more cause the drive from Lufkin to Jasper always seems sooooo long) and we spent the most time with my Uncle Sam's family because he has two girls the same age as my sister and me. My Aunt Lana had the sweetest disposition and put up with what had to be constant intrusions into her home when family came to stay. Big barbeque weekends and play time were great memories I carry from growing up with all my cousins - and family was very very important to my daddy. Uncle Sam was his youngest brother but to me they seemed the most similar. Maybe because we all went to church together, or they resembled each other. And family was very important to him as well.
Every time one of my dad's siblings died it was a loss, because it was also (to me) another piece of him gone. This one has been hard because I know how hard it will be on his girls, and on his wife. I am just praying for peace and comfort for all of them, for his grandkids, and his sons-in-law (who I know he treated like his own), and family and friends. Such is life, but it doesn't mean it's easy. Thank Heavens we have hope in Christ and we know someday we will all be together again!!