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ALMETA  A. "Edith" GARY
 January 01, 1937-----August 22, 2009
Member: College View DBC, Durham
Our friend, "Edith"
Document
The Resolution which was done by Mary M Young




Almeta A. Gary, of 900 Deerfield Road, Raleigh, departed this life on Saturday, August 22, 2009. Funeral, 12:00 PM, Thursday, August 27, 2009, Wake Chapel Church, 4509 Bland Road. Interment, Carolina Biblical Gardens. She leaves to cherish precious memories; her aunt, Virginia M. Gary of Raleigh; her brothers, William McCollum (Carolyn) of Norfolk, VA, George McCollum (Donna) and Robert McCollum (Jean) both of Raleigh; sisters, Brenda Cain (Wilbert) of Jacksonville and Deborah Allen (James) of Raleigh; cousins, Reverend Otis G. Byrd (Carrie) of Holly Springs, Bonita P. Debnam of Phoenix, AZ; and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation, 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM, Thursday, at the Church. A Lea Funeral Home Service (919) 231-1000 www.leafuneralhome.com

Published in The News & Observer on August 26, 2009 print

 
I'M FREE
 
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God has chosen for me.
I took His hand when I heard him call;
I turned my back and left it all.
 
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way;
I've now found peace at the end of day.
 
If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joys.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss;
Oh yes, these things, I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow
Look for the sunshine of tomorrow.
 
My life's been full, I savored much;
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seems all to brief;
Don't lengthen your pain with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and peace to thee,
God wanted me now-He set me free


Author:  Shannon Lee   Moseley.
I met Almeta probably in the late 70's, when her roommate was Dot Sides and I had to go to the room for something. From that time to this, I've found her to be very "upbeat". She had a sense of what was right for her and  she went and did it
Her professional job as a teacher saw her challenging the students from "rough" neighborhoods. She learned to cope with their nonsense and stayed on staff for many years.

As a bridge player in Chicago, she taught classes. You know that Chicago way....teach the bridge players the way they need to go, and see that they stay the path. This was a commitment she enjoyed. In fact, the ABAers in Chicago were a unique brand.  They honored their own............especially after the Nationals when they ranted and raved about the accomplishments of "their players".

One of her good friends was Bobbye Caldwell and we were often guests in her "orange/rust" lovely apartment.

Almeta was Sister Gary's niece and as such she was well- grounded in the protestant tradition. ( Church on Sundays....never breaking any of God's laws.) She made a recording which she told me about but never played for me. I don't know if she sang solo or with a group. (If you ever sat next to her, you knew she could sing.

When Almeta re-located to Raleigh, she played bridge with the ABA and the ACBL. She was a winner!

Often Almeta, Mary Young, Tom Hunt ans I would travel on long car trips to bridge tournaments. We once threatened to make Tom Hunt ride in the back of his car when he was evading taking his scheduled medications. We had good times.  I remember when  the gas station made us pay upfront for our gas but let a "white" person fill up his car FIRST. The bottom line is that he skipped owing them $40 dollars for gas.  The cashier had the nerve to ask us if we saw the man or could remember his tag number.We talked about that bit of racism for the next half hour.

Almeta was a great friend. She loved to watch westerns.  I took a few by her room.........I also took Chris Rock which we watched when "Auntie" was not expected.   I made several trips to Wake Chapel, because I had to SEE what Almeta was talking about..........I found out!  When friends came to Raleigh and wanted to visit a "big" black church, we went there.

Almeta we will miss you. We know that you are in a better place.

mem

The Mid Atlantic Section is the birthplace of the ABA.