I have never been sorry that I attended a funeral. I am always sorry that the occasion arose, of course, but always glad I made time to attend. I found myself at the second in a week this morning.
The (by my southren Methodist lights) “high church” ritual of an Episcopal funeral was comforting and reminds one of our heritage and our Christian traditions regarding death. There were several responsive readings, the Apostle’s Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, three hymns (including one of my very favorites that I have sung at several funerals , “Morning Has Broken”), a complete communion service, a processional and recessional, beautiful pipe-organ music. But the most meaningful part, as always at funerals, was the eulogy. George Pullen’s family asked George’s friend and retired Episcopal priest, Roger Hoyt Ard to give the memorial homily. The Rev. Mr. Ard has a way with words and configured them beautifully to express what George had meant to him, and to those who have known and worked with George, and to Rome at large.
He described George’s optimistic, persistent, progressive political work, how George took Ard, when he was new to Rome, on a tour of the “real” Rome beyond the beautiful area between the rivers and let him know that our city still has challenges and people in need. They ate at a soul-food restaurant.
He noted that George was often a bridge “between privilege and potential”. George wanted to help end racial, economic, religious, and ethnic animosities. Ard said George realized that it is “the ordinary injustices that wear down the soul.”
George believed with Martin Luther King that “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be.”
Ard talked also of George who had such a good time with friends at “Pullen’s Party Room” and how Ard stopped by once on his bike during his regular “meditative ordeal” -- bike ride -- to be offered a glass of wine and the admonition that Ard looked to be in need of a new bicycle (George and his son own a bike shop!) And Ard noted, with a smile, that George would be pleased to look out from Ard’s perspective this morning and see a “St. Peter’s chock full of Democrats!”
Finally he reminded us of Micah 6:8 and declared George Pullen a wonderful example of doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with God.
Sheila and I have known George Pullen since the early seventies, not as close friends, but as friendly acquaintances and fellow workers for progressive and environmental causes.
The homily fit with my experience with George. From his brief progressive campaign for Congress in the early eighties, work for the Democratic Party and Democratic candidates, our efforts in the Coosa River Basin Initiative, the Rome International Festival that he helped to establish (in his "backyard"), to our marches up Broad Street during the King Day celebrations the last several years -- the most recent just a couple of weeks ago.
Last week I was reminded of living one’s ideals by the life of Pete Seeger. I am inspired, closer to home today, to live more completely my convictions -- as George Pullen managed to do so well.
We'll miss you George, but we are a better community and better folks for your time among us. Thank you, Mr. Ard, for reminding us so eloquently.
Christie Hufstedler Boyd
Yes, Terrell, it was a lovely service. We will all miss George and it becomes incumbent on all of the Democrats of Floyd County to carry on his torch. He would expect us to work harder than ever! We meet the First Saturday of the month in Pullen's Meeting Room at 9:30 AM.
Wendy Davis
Beautiful recap of the eulogy, Terrell!
Ringstaff Marilyn
This is beautiful Terrell. Would you post your note on the Dems Facebook page? https://www.facebook.com/FloydDemocrats?ref=ts&fref=ts
Floyd County Democratic Party (GA)
Floyd County Democratic Party (GA)
Monica Sheppard
Terrell, thank you so much for sharing this! I was so sad to not be able to be there and knew it would be a wonderful service with the love of so many in the room. Thanks for giving me a glimpse and thank you for being there!
Terrell Shaw
Marilyn, I'm not sure how to do that. You are welcome to share it there.
Monica, Sheila was also disappointed that she couldn't be there. I took a few notes to share with her, then decided to post it to FB.
Wendy Davis
I'll post it on FCDP page
Betty Smith Franklin
Thank you Terrell. This means a lot to me. We used to say we'd all end up in a modest retirement home across the lake at FJC where the old farm with its barn and silo looked so inviting. But, we came apart. the memories do fit us together with broken spots where the light comes in.
Patricia Buffington Jackson
Terrell this is a wonderful tribute to your friend. I deleted an earlier post of mine. It was for a niece that had just gotten her electricity back on. They had an ice storm where she lives.
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