Just that I'm thinking of them.

I wrote this for daddys funeral! I didn't think I was going to be able to speak without breaking down but I felt my daddys courage to help me get thru it!! First off I would love to thank our mom!! Mom, you were by dads side faithfully for over 47 years! You were always the strong calm one whenever dad was sick. You were always by his side sleeping next to him in the multiple hospital visits throughout his life and always kept such a strong faith that he would always pull through. Daddy may not have always said it but I know that he loved & appreciated you so very much for never leaving his side! My sister and I are truly blessed to have grown up by such a strong man. Daddy was sorta quite when it came to showing us how he felt but we knew he always loved us and would have done anything for Sheryl & I. I can imagine when I was born in Louisville 43 years ago him saying in his mind, “Damn it, it’s another girl” but of course he would have never said that to anyone much less mom or maybe he did but it never got back to me! As most of you all know, I was such a Tomboy growing up. I was dads hunting and fishing buddy and so enjoyed the time with him even though we were traipsing off at 4 am in the morning somewhere even before the sun came up. I remember the time when we were clearing the 3 acres for the house to be built and I was 8 years old and momma came out to the land to check on us. Daddy had me up on the garage roof showing me how to shingle about 10 ft up and mom screaming “Bill, get my baby down!” He just looked down off the roof and said “oh, she is fine, go back home! “ Of course I got mad and screamed down to mom & said I’m not a baby! Heck, by this time in my life daddy had had a chainsaw in my hand helping him clear the land. Back last year during the ice storm when I came out to help mom and dad clear some of the trees that fell on the house brought back so many memories as a child. It was so hard to believe that 35 years prior we were side by side cutting back trees with dads chainsaw so the house could be built and now we are cutting back trees to get them off the house! Whenever I was with my dad I was always wanting to learn so much from him and I knew in my heart my dad always had my back and would have never put me in harm’s way so I was NEVER afraid of trying new things. Not only did he show me how to swing a hammer and fix stuff but he instilled in me to at least try to finish what you started. I so appreciate him now for helping me become the strong independent woman that I am today. Now To Rodney, Billy, Kathleen, Nicholas, Brittany, and Timmy your grandfather loved you ever so much!!! Yes, he called you his knuckleheads but everybody knew in Muhlenberg County that he had 6 grandkids that he adored and by my facebook postings lately everyone is saying how much he bragged on his grandkids. Little Rodney, I want to thank you for getting out to dad and staying with him till the ambulance got to him last week. I know that it was such a comfort to mom that daddy wasn’t alone while she was trying to get to him. I’m sure that was a very difficult time for you and I’m sorry you had to go thru that. To daddy’s sisters Jeannie and Diane. I will stand here tonight and say it for dad that he loved his sisters very much!!! Yes, you guys had troubles but what siblings don’t? I hope you both know that dad would have done anything for you if you needed him. Only problem there is the damn Carver / Kirby curse of pride and stubbornness that you never ask for help! Daddy never wanted anyone to fuss over him! This is why we are only having a visitation service for him tonight by his wishes. Mom and Dad both always talked openly about their deaths which is such a great burden lifted off of me and my sister. In closing tonight I want to tell everyone to go home and tell your spouse, your children, your siblings, your parents, and all your family that you love them. Don’t let the funeral home be the place to tell your family member that’s lying in a coffin that you loved them. Show people compassion everyday and make it your daily goal to at least tell someone that you love them! On behalf of me and my family I would like to say thank you for coming here tonight to pay your respects to my father Bill Carver and I love each and every one of you!

I worked with Bill when he was at FNB in Central City. Bill was always professional, pleasant, and easy to deal with. He was a good banker who treated everyone with respect and kindness. I know he will be missed by his family and friends. I am very sorry to learn of his passing.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.