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Today would have been Papa Chavis' eighty- first birthday. Last year, our family celebrated his 80th birthday by giving him a surprise party. He was shocked by the party and couldn't believe that people would go through so much trouble for him. Unknown to everyone at the party, it was Papa's last birthday here on Earth. In an accident just three days after his birthday, Papa went to be with Jesus. Today, while we are sad, we also rejoice in the fact that Papa knew Jesus as his Lord & Savior and is spending eternity in heaven.
Ray Chavis was a great Papa! Nicholas and Drew learned so much from him. I remember the day three year old Nicholas came home from a tractor ride with Papa with a new vocabulary word. He explained to me what cultivating is and why cultivating land is so important for a farmer. Papa taught Nicholas everything there is to know about WWII. Papa and Nick spent countless hours on the couch at his house watching WWII videos. While Nicholas was Papa's heart, he loved Drew and spent lots of time with her also. Papa taught Drew how to plant corn, how to drive his truck and he spent many hours on the couch with her watching their favorite movie, Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Drew liked to watch Legend of Sleepy Hollow just to hear Papa laugh.
Papa, we miss that laugh and your smile. We miss seeing you come in the driveway every morning to check on us. We miss you calling to see if Nicholas & Drew can come to play. We look forward to the day when we will see you again!
