Poem for Poppy - Amanuensis Monday

Using Amanuensis Monday to transcribe some of the material aound that needs to be transcribed. Today I'm doing my Grandfather, Mershell C. Graham's funeral program.  I've been looking for my grandfather's funeral program for several months.  It wasn't in the binder, where it should have been, or in the box with the not yet filed funeral programs.  Today, while looking for something else, I found it.  It was in my file cabinet in a folder having nothing to do with anything relevant.  The poem was written by my sister, Pearl Cleage.

Poem For My Grandfather

(for M.C. Graham)

The handing down of things

worn smooth between your fingers.

The handing down of parts of you 

in hurried kitchen ceremonies.

The smell of biscuits

and the smell of heirlooms.

A story about trains.

A whisper of hard times

and magic in the face you hold so close to mine

and smile.

The handing down of things.

The handing on of you...

from his grandchildren

and great-grandchildren

In Memorium

Mershell C. Graham

Thursday, September 6, 1973, 12 Noon

Plymouth United Church of Christ

514 Garfield

Detroit, Michigan

Rev. Nicholas Hood, Pastor

Order of Service

Processional......

Hymn          ......

Invocation   .......

Scripture      .......

Hymn          .......

Eulogy         .......

Benediction  .......

Interment

Detroit Memorial Park

In Charge

Charles T. Cole Funeral Home

Honory Pallbearers 

Friends of Mr. Graham

Active Pallbearers

Members of the Men's Club    

Mershell C. Graham was born December 25, 1887, in Coosada Station, Alabama, the adopted son of Mary and Joseph Graham.  He received his early Christian training in the First Congregational Church of Montgomery, Alabama.  He met his beloved wife, Fannie Mae, in the church.  They celebrated their 54th wedding anniversary in June of this year.  They had four children and shared a long and beautiful life.  He was one of the founders of Plymouth United Church of Christ and was a devoted member of the church all of his life.  He served as treasurer for many years and was Trustee Emeritus.  He was retired from the Ford Motor Company after over thirty years of service and was a member of the U.A.W. and the N.A.A.C.P.

Mr. Graham passed on September 3, 1973, at his home at 16260 Fairfield.  He leaves to mourn his loss his wife, Fannie, his two daughters, Mary Virginia Graham Elkins and Doris Graham Cleage, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.