When Grandma Kate Was Still Alive Poem by Luke Easter

It was the summer of 1982,
My most memorable 4th of July,
Family and friends packed the yard,
The last time Grandma Kate was alive.

She had a very, very special way,
To welcome everyone into her life,
Some who were always in trouble,
And those already in the spiritual life.

Miss Kate as she was sometimes called,
Wiped sweat from her bright red bandanna,
She worked hours preparing a special meal,
All the little ones just called her Big Nana.

Everything simply always had to be perfect,
Grandmother had that old American pride,
From the way she made her tasty fruit punch,
From chocolate cake to homemade lemon pie.

As the children grew her husband was gravely ill,
She kept working hard to support her family still,
For all to do better in life than she and Mr. Lowe,
Every day to work my Grandma Kate would go.

Ha! Jumping rope, was Big Nana at age 65,
Yes! Her zest for life kept her young and alive,
Loving her grandchildren from purse to heart,
Every day with prayer was another fresh start.

No one could cook like Miss Kate, only she,
Every delicious meal was a family recipe,
From Alabama the child of a former slave,
She carried the old south secret to her grave.

There are times when it seems like yesterday,
Yet many fourths have passed the family by,
None will ever be more loving or special than,
“When Grandma Kate Was Still Alive.”