Rebecca Bowers
Booth family:When I got the text from Mike that Joe had passed, I was in shock. I had just seen him in June, and he was great and more handsome than ever. Loved the beard!The year he taught high school math in Oxford, I was in his geometry class. And what great memories from that, including (and especially?) our last class day party. Then he moved to Memphis, and we stayed in touch. I’d visit him occasionally (yes, Christopher, I met you as a babe in arms) and he would sometimes return to Oxford when I was at Ole Miss. Then I moved on, to St. Thomas, where he wanted to sail upon his “forced” retirement. But no matter where our paths led, we knew the other was safe and sound. And, when email came into our world, every year I would email him a b’day greeting. Yes, 18 November. I know that date.In June my family had a small reunion of siblings and cousins who we hadn’t seen in a coon’s age. And Mom, who had become seriously ill. But we were able to take her to lunch, then to her home in Oxford, where she basked in the love surrounding her, as did we.Ready to return to St. Thomas, at the airport, I was told that there would be an unexpected 7-hour flight delay. So, I texted Joe and he come to rescue from the sterile airport. We drove around, caught up with family and such, and had a dandy time.Till I got the word, on 21 August, that Mom had made her flight into another dimension. I was in Oxford when Mike’s text came. Believe me, kids, I know the pain in losing a parent.You all have my most sincere condolences. He did, indeed, have a wonderful life and gleefully influenced zillions. I’m sure of it. He will always be with me.Rebecca Bowers [email protected] (facebook friend of Joe’s, albeit rarely)