Joe Hill

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night

Alive as you and me

Says I, "But Joe, you're ten years dead"

"I never died," says he

"I never died," says he

"The copper bosses killed you, Joe
"They shot you, Joe," says I
"Takes more than guns to kill a man"
Says Joe, "I didn't die"

Says Joe, "I didn't die"

Standing there as big as life
And smiling with his eyes
Joe says, "What they could never kill
"Went on to organize!"

"Went on to organize!"

"From San Diego, up to Maine
"In every mine and mill
"When workers fight and organize
"It's there you'll find Joe Hill"

"It's there you'll find Joe Hill"

I dreamed I saw Joe Hill last night
Alive as you and me
Says I, "But Joe, you're ten years dead"
"I never died," says he

"I never died," says he

©1938 by Leeds Music Corp

Joann Brannon Weeks 1938-2025

Joann Weeks has died.

We first knew her as Joann Brannon the art teacher. Then we were thrown in with her as we campaigned for Mildred Greear for State Senate back in 1977. And Joann was part of our effort to save the National Forests (again with Mildred and Phillip Greear) in the eighties and still again for my Quixotic campaign for the Georgia House of Representatives in 1984. Joann and I each served as presidents of the Floyd County Association of Educators and were active together in FCAE as well as the state organization.

After that 1977 campaign, Sheila and I with Joann and another teacher friend, Sue Frazier, joined Mildred for a weekend in the Greears’ rustic cabin in Helen, Georgia. I have some great pictures but they are not digitized. Maybe I can find them and add them later.

We were there in Chattanooga when she and Steve Weeks - the Rome News reporter - got married. Sheila was pregnant with Brannon at the time so it must have been 1983. 

 I remember a fun night of parlor games with them and LeeAnn and John Tom Selman at the Weeks's house in Armuchee and I think a different night of Rook with them.

For a while Joann and Steve attended our church and our children played together at our house. 

A highlight — I wonder what year — was when Joann and Steve invited us, and Sheila forced me to accept the invitation, to accompany them for a fifties and sixties rock-and&roll dancing riverboat evening on the Tennessee River. I am a notoriously incompetent dancer. BUT nobody on that boat knew me except my wife and our two friends and I somehow managed to shed my inhibitions and had an absolute ball! Sheila did not complain of bruised feet. 

Sheila and I visited for a few minutes with Steve and Lee at the funeral home last night. It was the first time we've been together in years. We have the sniffles and will avoid spreading germs at the funeral today. I wish I could find digitized photos of some of our experiences with Joann and with Steve. I regret allowing our friendship with this good couple of folks to fade as we have aged and way has led onto way over the last couple of decades. It makes me think of several other once-close friends I'd like to reconnect with; raising kids and pursuing careers and moves and just the vicissitudes of living make maintaining friendships over many decades difficult.

God bless Steve and Lee as they mourn this loss of their wonderful wife and mother.

And may we all find a few moments to reconnect with folks we love but with whom we’ve lost contact.

------------------------

Joann Weeks Obituary

Joann Brannon Weeks, 87, of Armuchee, died Saturday, November 22, 2025, in a Rome health care facility after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease.

She was born March 1, 1938, in Hixson, TN, and grew up in Signal Mountain, TN. Survivors include her husband of 42 years, Steve Weeks, whom she met during a news interview, and a daughter, Lee. Part of a large family, she outlived her parents and siblings, including her twin sister, Joyce. She was also preceded in death by her only grandchild, Adeline.

A long-time art teacher and director with the Floyd County Schools, Joann served as the system's art coordinator and taught at Glenwood Elementary School and Armuchee High School.

A lifelong Baptist, Joann was a member of Pleasant Valley North Baptist Church and later New Armuchee Baptist Church. She was active in Sunday School and senior groups and participated in numerous clubs and community organizations. Known for her warmth and dependability, she once served as president of the Floyd County Association of Educators.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Joann's caregivers, who were like family members.

The family will receive friends on November 25, 2025 from 5pm to 7p.m. at Henderson and Sons Funeral Home, Oaknoll Chapel located at 2542 Shorter Ave, Rome GA. Pastor David Howard will reside over the services on November 26, 2025 at 1pm. Service to be held at Henderson and Sons Funeral Home, Oaknoll Chapel.

Odd Man Out, Twenty Years Later

Twenty years ago today I began writing this blog with the following manifesto.  I'm sure if I were writing it now there'd be some edits, but it expresses pretty well my core beliefs. In those twenty years the blog has had 1,124,374 visitors and I have written over 3500 posts.

 So from way back in 2005 here is where we began...

_____________________ 

Lillian snapped this picture for me on a Sunday afternoon. I was still in my church clothes and climbed a ladder into the black walnut tree in our backyard so I could be "alone on a limb". 

November 23, 2005

Alone on A Limb

What I write below is very serious and important to me. I promise that all my blogs will not be political in nature, but I love my country and cannot ignore issues like those I discuss below. If this bothers you, my blog may not be for you. VACLAV HAVEL said: "You do not become a "dissident" just because you decide one day to take up this most unusual career. You are thrown into it by your personal sense of responsibility..." 

OK, I don't fear for my life at family reunions. But I am the family dissident. 

So, another quote, this time from EDWARD R. MURROW: 

"We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty. When the loyal opposition dies, I think the soul of America dies with it." 

I am alone among my siblings. We are a big, loving, hugging, boisterous, generally strong-willed bunch. Five sisters, two brothers and my mother. We vacation together almost every year with our spouses and children and even grandchildren. We usually get along well. Like the rest of the country, though, we are split by politics. Unfortunately for me, however, our family is not split down the middle: all five sisters, my brother, and my mother have become very conservative Republicans. I am the the odd man out. 

I am a Democrat. 

I love the founding documents of our country. 

I revere the founding fathers. 

I believe in civil rights for all. 

I believe dissent is a responsibility of citizenship. 

I believe in the separation of church and state as being best for both. 

I believe our government should protect minority rights. 

I believe that we have a cultural heritage that should not be denied or ignored. The Christian faith is a huge part of that heritage. 

I believe also that we must be more sensitive than our fathers to the fact that many loyal Americans are not Christian. 

I believe in stringent environmental protection. 

I believe that the government should, for the public good, provide good roads, a strong national defense, effective emergency management, outstanding public schools, basic housing and food for the poorest among us, support for the arts, good public broadcasting, mass transit in cities, inter-city and cross-country passenger rail service, for starters. 

I believe the activities, associations, living arrangements, or lifestyles of adults should concern the government only if it interferes with the life, liberty, property or health of others. 

I believe no person, however stupid or misguided, should be forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy to term. Abortion should be safe, legal, and rare. 

I believe in our right as a people to covenant together to provide universal health care to our citizens. 

I believe those of us who, through some combination of intelligence, hard work, learned skills, and good fortune, have been financially well-rewarded should pay the largest part of the expenses to provide the services and protections I have described. 

I believe torture is always wrong and incredibly stupid and any president or vice president or other official who advocates relaxing that rule cannot be trusted with the powers of his/her office. 

I believe all persons are created equal and endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

I believe we should go to war only when there is a clear national interest that can be protected no other way and when there is a strong consensus among the people to support the war. 

I believe that lying, exaggerating, or hyping information in order to take our country to war is a high crime. I therefore believe the current occupant of the White House is right out there with Richard Nixon and James Buchanan in the race for the most dangerous President of all time. 

With the right wing in total control of all three branches of government, a major "news" network, an intricate right-wing "religious" political consortium, and a huge talk-show echo chamber, it isn't likely to be practical to impeach him. He deserves it. 

A final quote, this time from a Nazi, HERMANN GOERING: 

"Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." 

Probably most of the folks who visit this blog (if anyone does) will be my family. Except for my wife and daughters, I expect my family will disagree with me. I'm sorry I'm alone out on this limb of our family tree. But I've been pushed out here by my "personal sense of responsibility". To abandon my limb while I have these beliefs would be cowardly and unpatriotic. I hope my wonderful family will at least understand me better for what I write here. 

I welcome brief polite comments in support or disagreement. Those who have long responses should post links to their own blogs in a brief comment. I will delete any impolite comments.

-------------------

Well there you are. In twenty years my basic beliefs are about the same. Of course, my feelings toward Bush and Cheney have mellowed somewhat now that we see how much worse things could get with the advent of the Magas. I think Bush actually saw some of the error of his ways, and has shown real grace in retirement. For all his flaws at least Cheney, who died a few days ago, was willing to stand up for our republic against a wannabe authoritarian and actually indorse the Democratic candidate in 2024.

Note: All the blog posts that predate November 23, 2005 are "historical posts" written after the fact.

For Me This is Viral

 At a doctor's office today I saw this cartoon framed on the wall of the waiting area and snapped a picture of it. I immediately shared it to Facebook --- I was in a doctor's waiting room with not much reading material. 

I thought a few of my friends would get a chuckle. 

I went ahead with my appointment. We drove home. I mentioned it to Sheila on the way home, but didn't think of it again till I got home and opened Facebook a hour later. What/! There were almost 300 "likes" n it, ten or so comments and nearly a hundred shares! We went to meeting of our Indivisible group at seven. When we got home a few minutes ago I checked the post again. 

What?!

I've been on Facebook since 2009 and THIS is my most "viral" post?! 

I wish I had added  "Release the Epstein files!" to the text.

Rolling Walnuts

The Last Walnuts

I roll up the last walnuts

As the days dwindle.

We watch our shows on the new large screen.

You beat me at the word games most days.

We laugh at the strange letter combinations.

There is music live and recorded.

There are stories told and heard.

We Facetime with tiny grandkids on tiny scrreens.

We pursue our causes on social media --  

Some days in the streets or at the polls.

Charlie and Gary and Cleve are gone. 

Beth and Mama.

Elaine and Janet and Sharon. 

Bo and Quillian.

All the givens are now uncertain.

I guess they always were.

Friends and lovers.

God, the Republic, liberty itself.

The earth at our feet.

The next Spring.

I plant bulbs, 400 daffodils and 150 tulips.

Who will see them bloom? 

by Terrell Shaw 2025

George Freeman

Sheila and I drove to Woodstock today to attend the memorial service for our friend and former pastor George Freeman. I think George would have loved the service. 

He had asked for "Camp Meeting" songs. Warren Lathem, who is married to my first cousin Jane, sang "In the Sweet By and By" beautifully. The congregation sang "Oh, How I Love Jesus" (a great one for adding harmony) and "Oh That Will Be Glory For Me" (When have I last heard that beautiful song? It's been a while.)

George and Peggy's beautiful daughter Betsy, flanked by Trey ("for moral support," she said) gave a lovely eulogy of her father built around a bunch of "Georgisms" as she called them. She briefed recited her father's frequent saying and explained each, then closed by stringing them together as a very appropriate summary.

The sermon was delivered by David Campbell,  also our friend and former pastor, who has known George for 40 years.

Afterward the family invited everyone to the church fellowship hall where a luncheon was laid out and where the long line of George's friends could speak with Peggy, Betsy, Trey and many other family members. 

We were disappointed that Warren and Jane had to leave right after the service and we didn't get to talk with them. But we did get to talk briefly with George's family and with David Campbell, and to meet and talk with several new acquaintances including John Durham who is a pastor in Lindale and Winnie and Will Thomas who are both United Methodist pastors who knew George at Jonesboro UMC. 

I'm glad that George had time during his battle with cancer to do at least some planning for his memorial. I think he would be very pleased with how it turned out. I hope it doesn't sound inappropriate to say that,  though I am very sad to lose this good man, I enjoyed the occasion.

George came to Trinity United Methodist Church in 1995 when I was going through some tough times. I was working insane hours while losing my battle to succeed in our little business. We decided during the nineties to use our skills at desktop publishing to support the church to partially makeup for our decreased financial support. So we dealt with George every week to prepare the "Trinity Voice" our church newsletter. That and the fact that George and I were near the same age, and that I had admired his father since the 1950s and 60s when Ross Freeman had led revival meeting for my dad, made for one of the warmest relationships I have had with my pastor. 

Betsy, in her tribute to George, reiterated the request at the close of Georgia's obituary, and I am still thinking of how I will honor that. If you are one of George's friends and admirers, I hope you will also pass his love forwards in this manner: 

"In lieu of flowers or a monetary gift, we ask that you honor George’s spirit by committing a simple act of goodness or kindness towards others."

----------

The program for the funeral was just beautiful.

Here's a beautiful a cappella version of "Oh That Will Be Glory For Me"

How about a Willie Nelson version of "In the Sweet By and By"

----------

Obituary

The Reverend Dr. George Ross Freeman, Jr. beloved husband, father, grandfather, and lifelong servant of Christ, entered into eternal rest after a courageous battle with cancer on Monday, October 27, 2025 at home with his family.

A native of Sandersville, Georgia, and the son of a Methodist minister, George grew up in parsonages across North Georgia and in Atlanta’s Druid Hills community. A graduate of Georgia Southern University and Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, he also pursued doctoral studies in New Church Development and Stewardship. George served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam war.

George served the United Methodist Church faithfully for more than 50 years, including appointments in Auburn, East Point, Norcross, Dallas, Marietta, Rome, Atlanta, Thomson, Sandy Springs, Jonesboro, Ellenwood and Woodstock. The founding pastor of Simpsonwood United Methodist Church in Norcross, George received national recognition for his efforts in establishing a vibrant congregation, across the road from the (former) North Georgia United Methodist Conference and Retreat Center on the Chattahoochee River. Simpsonwood was named "Church of the Year in Evangelism" and completed the construction project for the main Sanctuary building while he was Senior Pastor there.

His ministry extended far beyond the pulpit—through missions, leadership development, and community service.

Throughout his career, Dr. Freeman held numerous leadership roles, including service on the UMC General Board of Discipleship and as President of the National Association of Stewardship Leaders. He was also a Paul Harris Fellow in Rotary International and a Fellow of the John Wesley Society.

After retiring from full-time ministry in 2017, George continued serving smaller congregations until his health required him to step back. He and his wife, Peggy, made their home in Canton, GA, which is strategically placed halfway between where their children live. He delighted in time spent with their children and six grandchildren. They remained active in their “Golden Years” because he said he searched the Scriptures and could not find the word “Retirement”. 

Known for his quick wit and happy demeanor, George’s life was defined by faith, service, and love for others. His legacy continues in the many churches he built, the pastors/people he mentored, and the lives he touched. 

He is survived by his wife of 59 years Peggy-Ann; son George Ross Freeman, III “Trey” and his four children (Kate Elizabeth, Madison Ann, Samantha Grace and Jackson Lee) of Blue Ridge; daughter Betsy Ann and her husband Charlie Madrerohon and their two sons (Charles “Ross” and Ben Gregory) of Marietta. Also surviving him is his sister, Joye Hancock. Predeceased by his parents Rev. Dr. G. Ross Freeman, Sr and Elizabeth “Bess” Bennett Freeman and his sister Merrie Posey.

A celebration of life service for George will be held Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM at Hillside Church, 4474 Towne Lake Pkwy., Woodstock, GA 30189. George will be laid to rest in a family service at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia at a later date

In lieu of flowers or a monetary gift, we ask that you honor George’s spirit by committing a simple act of goodness or kindness towards others.

Join Us

 

I hope many of my friends who vote Democratic will join us Thursday evening for this regular monthly meeting. I know of no special program except for the effort to collect food for the local food pantries. BUT it is our first chance to meet with others who share our goals after the significant wins of the election yesterday. 

Y’all please bear with me for a fairly long post.

We need, in my opinion, to build NOW on the enthusiasm of our wins yesterday as we work toward even bigger victories in the 2026 midterms. 

I work through our local, state, and national Democratic Party despite the fact that I have significant differences with many of my fellow Democrats. You will also differ with some folks in the group and maybe even get frustrated with folks who talk too much or who don’t speak up or who seek too much compromise or too much confrontation or too little of either or, or, or,… 

That’s the nature of a political party in a two-party system and like tor not that’s what we have. 

Here’s how I view our current party

Like all volunteer groups we depend overwhelmingly on folks who have jobs and/or family obligations or health issues and/or all the personal and occupational and other obligations of volunteers everywhere. We come from every race, religion, ethnic background, and many other differences. Some of us are willing to be up front and confrontational. Many of us prefer quieter action. Some of us have a lot of time to give and some much less.

We represent many different degrees of liberalism and conservatism as currently defined. Some of us are FDR Democrats, some are Carter Democrats, some are “New” Democrats, some are AOC/Bernie Democrats. Some of us even used to be Capital-R Republicans.

BUT we are all small-r republicans and small-d democrats. We agree on the basic principles of American democratic republicanism — the self-evident truths —as beautifully expressed by Jefferson in the Declaration.

We also agree with Morris on the purposes of government by We The People as expressed in the Preamble — 

1. to always work to improve it (form a more perfect union),
2. to always be fair (establish justice), 
3. to keep peace at home (insure domestic tranquility), 
4. to keep peace with the world (provide for the common defense), 
5. to try to make life better for all (promote the general welfare), 
6. and to protect freedom for all now and always (secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity).

While we all will continue to press for our particular favored policies and programs, we in the current situation — under a wannabe authoritarian president who has some advisors who have expressly rejected democracy — are willing to work with everyone and anyone who seeks to restore small-r republican principles and goals.

I believe we are in a non-violent fight for our republic. And I believe there is a place in this effort for people of all personality types. There are jobs for extroverts AND introverts, out front and behind the scenes. As a 78 year old grandfather my activism is most often from right here in my easy chair with a computer in my lap. Or on the phone. Or attending meetings or rallies. Or making my meager donations. But I try to do my part. 

Won’t you help too?

So, speaking for myself but believing my fellow Floyd County Democrats would agree, I welcome anyone who truly supports the principles of the Declaration and the Preamble to join us.

A Blue Wave

Top l-r:  Elaina Beeman, Jill Fisher, Vic Hixon
Bottom l-r: Toni Blanchard, Brenda Boyd, Pascha Burge, Will Byington, Faith Collins, Marquita Davis, Alvin Jackson

This was a wonderful night. 

I had a really good feeling about it -- which always scares me. But wow! I suppose it was the first election of my life when the majority of the voters agreed with me on each and every vote. I cast votes for nine candidates and on three ballot issues and all 12 votes went my way! 

Anyone who has read Facebook posts at all in the last few months knows the two PSC and two City Commission and five Board of Education candidates I campaigned for. I am so happy that they all won.

BUT I am also very happy with the candidates the other voters added to my list. Jill Fisher has proven herself a good public service on the Board of Education and will no doubt be an asset to the Commission. I hope the Commission will follow her advice and set up a system of making long-term planning a more regular part of the commission's procedures. Will Byington has served as a leader on our Board of Education for years and Brenda Boyd as a teacher knows education from the inside and can help the board continue to build strong faculties and keep the board anchored to its mission of producing healthy, happy, and successful students.
I wish the best to the four losing candidates here in Rome. Jamie Doss served our city for decades on the commission and Randy Quick has been a stalwart of our community as a radio personality and executive as well as a commissioner. I thank them for their service and for putting themselves before to voters. Ron Roach had a long career as a teacher and coach and has been active in the community since his retirement. And Karl Gyden, a relative newcomer, is to be commended for seeking to serve us on the Board of Education. 
It was not just Rome and Georgia. Virginia elected Democratic candidates for Governor and two other statewide races and gave more than a dozen additional Democratic seats to the House of Delegates. In Pennsylvania three of their Supreme Court judges were challenged for retention by an organized and very well financed effort to kick them out. The kept their positions easily. And in California people were lined up around the block in city after city to vote to counter Trump's efforts to stack the 2026 Congressional race -- 11 million votes in a one-issue off-year election. 
There is a rekindling of a spirit of liberty from coast to coast tonight. 
But we can't rest on our laurels. 2026 is almost here. We must have a Congress that will stand up to the great child who literally demolished a whole wing of our White House with input from nobody. 

Robbed of You

 Robbed

Did I know, in flush of youth,

Meeting you with careless kiss,

Speaking love as gifted truth,

holding you in carefree bliss?

Did I know, mindlessly sure,

When we were lithe and strong,

Assuming health would long endure,

Pretending life could not go wrong?

Did I know, till robbed of you,

You were my breath, and beating heart,

Soul of my soul, my body's truth,

All my wealth, all my art?   

by Terrell Shaw (2025)