Richard Jones

Mr Jones was not my biological grandad but as good as. I met him when I was 2 yrs old and I used to
run down the back street of my house to his which was on the corner. Both Mr and Mrs Jones used to
tell me I would bang on the back gate shouting "Let me in, let me hide from my mummy".
Very soon they became my "grandparents". Mr Jones was a lovely man, so sweet natured and he would
do anything for anyone.
Mr Jones had a young daughter Margaret who sadly passed away when she was 7 yrs old, he also had a
son Geoffrey who never married and lived with his parents until they passed away. Every morning Mr
Jones would get up and make his son breakfast and get his things ready for him, even when he was
told not to, it was something he always liked to do.
Its funny how you remember little things, the fish finger butties he would make us and the angel
delight. He used to let me help him mow the grass with him and collect the apples from the apple
tree, we used to wash the car together.

21 yrs ago today is the last time that I saw Mr Jones alive. I hadnt been to see them for a couple
of weeks because I had just moved house and started a new job, although I'd spoke to him on the
phone a few times. I went to see them on 27th Sept 1987 not knowing it would be the last time I
would see him. I was only there for an hour or so because I was going to my nieces 2nd birthday
party, when I was there, Mrs Jones was not very well and I told them I would call up in the week to
see them and make sure she was ok.
I left with my usual I love you, take care see you soon.
On the morning of Wednesday 30th Sept, I got a phone call from my brother, a call that devasted me.
Geoffrey had phoned my house and informed my brother that Mr Jones had passed away the previous
evening from a massive heart attack. When my brother rang me at work, I kept saying he must have
heard it wrong, it was Mrs Jones who had been unwell, Mr Jones was a fit as a fiddle. I collapsed
on the floor sobbing my heart out.
Mr Jones had been mowing his front lawn and his neighbours had seen him and waved to him, the next
minute they saw him collapsed on the floor. The paramedics arrived and rushed him to hospital where
they managed to keep him alive for a few hours. Geoffrey was by his side when he passed away.
On the day of the funeral, Mrs Jones didnt really know what was happening and I don't think she
really knew Mr Jones, her husband of over 60 years, had gone. When the funeral cars came and
Geoffrey said "Mother we have to go now", she asked where we were going.
In the chapel of rest, I went to say my final goodbye to my Grandad, he looked so peaceful but I
wanted him back. I kissed him and told him I loved him and would look after Mrs Jones for him.
When they brought the coffin into the room, Mrs Jones broke down, it had finally hit her, he was
gone and not coming back. It was a lovely service but so hard seeing Mrs Jones crumbling, he had
been her life.
At the graveside, I stood holding onto her and she told me how glad she was I was there. We cried
and hugged each other so much.
Well sadly 6 weeks later on the 6th November, Mrs Jones joined her husband in heaven and once again
my heart was broken. At the same time I was pleased that they were back together again, this time
with their daughter Margaret, never to be parted again.

Time passed and when I got married I was sad that they were not there to share my day with me. I
had a posy of flowers made the same as mine and before the service I went to their grave and placed
the flowers for them. I knew they were by side throughout.
I am sad that they never got to meet my 3 beautiful children.
Its 21 years since Mr Jones passed away, and I will always love and miss him.
Thank you Mr Jones for the way you took me on as your grandaughter and provided me with so many
happy memories.
I hope you are happy and at peace.

Love you always and forever and forever is a long long time.

Goodnite God Bless all my love Carol xxx