Grandma's Phone Greeting

Here is Grandma's telephone greeting. You might want to pause the music at the bottom of the page to really hear it.

Some more pics of Grandma and Grandpa.

Collection of pictures throughout Grandma's life

Brad's Letter about Grandma

Letter to Grandma



Well, I am really sad that grandma passed away. I loved her a lot. I’m sorry that I couldn’t be there. I have been trying to think of what I was going to say for dad to read at the funeral, and it’s just been so hard. I don’t really even know where to start.

For as long as I can remember it was always exciting to go to grandma’s house. We loved to visit her, and we would have a BBQ at Carl’s house and all of the family came over. That is another thing I really loved about grandma. FAMILY was always first. I don’t ever remember anything that would get in the way of family for her. She was always so worried about all of her children and grandchildren. I don’t think she ever thought about herself.

She was always thinking about others. I used to remember talking to her on the phone and she would always ask me how I was doing. She would always ask me if I’m being the person I should be, and every time without fail she would always say, “Remember who you are and to lead by example.” My grandmother for me was a great example of pure love. She just loved everyone and she always had a smile on her face. I don’t think there was ever a time that we weren’t laughing or smiling with grandma. She was always willing to listen to whatever you had to say and always did it with such an interest.

I am so grateful that my grandmother was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am glad she had the same knowledge as us that we will be able to see her again and that we will all be able to be happy as one big family after this life and how we can become a family forever, if we just strive to live the gospel principles in our lives.

As a missionary we have the opportunity to share this message with everyone. About 3 times a day I am sharing a message about how families can be forever, and now it is even more special to me, for me to know that I can one day live in happiness with my grandmother again.

I know that she was welcomed into heaven with arms wide open and that our Heavenly Father was happy that another one of his daughters made it home to his presence. I know right now that my grandmother is on the other side sharing this great message with those who have not had the opportunity to hear it.

I remember that on my birthday my grandma would always sing the Happy Birthday song to me. She loved music, and I loved listening to her play the piano and sing. I know that she touched the lives of so many people through her gift of music. I remember she would always tell me to never give up on the things that I loved the most…for her I know that was music. She loved music. I remember always being excited to play a new song for her that I had learned on the piano.

I am so grateful that she was my grandmother and my friend. I will never forget her. She has left a lasting impression on my life and I will continue to follow the example that she has set down for me.

I know that this is the true church, and that my grandmother knew it. I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have and for the time and opportunity that I have now as a missionary to share this with everyone. I am so grateful for the plan of salvation, and to know that if we do the things that we are supposed to in this life that we too will be able to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father, and to be happy forever. I love my grandmother and will miss her dearly and will do all possible so that I too can return to live with her in the presence of our Father in Heaven.

Well, that is my letter about grandma.

I love you guys.

Love,
Elder Taylor

Say hi to everyone for me.

Obituary

JOYCE (CRAWFORD) SHUMWAY
Born Joyce Rowley to Allen and Gladys Rowley in Phoenix on January 7th, 1929. She passed peacefully away at the age of 79 at her home in east Mesa on December 4th.

Joyce retired from MOS5 at Motorola in 1996. She was a lifetime devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held many musical callings.

Joyce loved to share her musical talents and lived to play the piano and organ. She was a highly accomplished accompanist and had a beautiful alto voice. She is a former member of the Arizona Mormon Choir and Sun Valley Chorale.

A loving mother, Joyce married Walter Shumway in 1997 and was his devoted wife for 12 happy years.

Joyce is survived by her husband and siblings; Glenda (Jim) Finch, Maxine (Milford) Cluff, and Jerry (Jana) Rowley. Children; Denise Duvall, Reed Gower, Robert (Laurie) Gower, Lesli (Mike) Taylor, Nancy (Steve) Montano, and Carl Crawford. Step-children; Lynnette (Rick) Stewart, Chuck (Barbara) Shumway, Jeriann (Ren) Keeling, Phil (Annalee) Shumway, Becky (Raimo) Hansen, and Sharon (Tom) McPeek; and 54 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.

To enjoy memories, share thoughts, and listen to some of her favorite music, visit www.joyceshumway.blogspot.com

Viewing held Tuesday, December 9th at Bunkers’ Mortuary from 6-8 pm, 33 N. Centennial Way, Mesa, AZ. Services will be held on Wednesday, December 10th at 11:00 am with viewing one hour prior at the Salt River Stake center, 6942 E. Brown Rd.

Here's Grandma and Carl.

Here's, well, pretty much the whole family!

Carl and Grandma

Here are some pictures of Carl and Grandma. She was such a selfless and kind mother. She was always there for Carl.

Here they are after one of his football games.

Here is Carl singing and Grandma is playing for him. You can see her at the piano in the back.

Grandma and Carl on the United Way Poster.
Grandma and Carl and the Blue Whale

2006 in San Diego

Below you can see Grandma and Grandpa in the background.

Below is mom, dad, me, Grandma, and Grandpa

Here is Grandma talking to some of Josh's family.

And here's a pic with dad, mom, me, Josh, Grandma and Grandpa.

Brad's Farewell

Grandma came up to Austin, TX for Brad's farewell. These pictures were in December of 2007, so about a year ago. I remember when all of the Taylors sang in church the last Sunday before Brad went on his mission and afterwards she said that she absolutely loved the musical number. She has always loved music and always appreciated it. I know that I am thankful for that. She has always encouraged me to continue playing the piano. Just a few weeks ago when mom went out to see her, I had mom record my latest song on the piano to show her but I messed up pretty bad at the end. I tried again, but did the same thing, so I just gave up and told mom to show her that one anyway. So when I talked to her she said, "the song was beautiful...but you need to keep practicing." She was always very persistent with that. I loved it! Here is Grandma and Brad.



Here's the Taylor family with grandma.


Here's Brandon with Grandma

Here's the Taylor kids with grandma. From left to right:
Brad, Serena, Grandma, Brandon, Brooke, and Jennifer.



Here is grandma, Brad, and mom