Ray told often how one reason he wanted the farm was to have something to do when he retired. He always thought he would retire early and farm. But he did not retire as early as he once thought. But he also lamented that it was no longer the same company he knew.
Changes in society and the country were seen in break-ins to their friend’s homes. As Audry was often home alone while Ray was working the fields they had burglar bars installed on all doors and windows.
In 1982 Grandmother Nellie Schieffelin died and that year began the regular Thanksgiving gatherings, quasi-reunions, at the farm, and a group photo taken. The annual photos are great snaps shots of the evolution of the family and all of us growing older.
His farming business turned from cows and soybeans to just soybeans then just corn as the markets changed. He spent many long hot days in the fields as the corn grew tall and all the farmers prayed for more rain or less rain and no hurricanes. He had his first mini-stroke but he did not let that stop his desire to row crop. Despite the stroke leaving his walking not steady, he climbed the grain bin to wrestle the auger into the center hole. He knew his limits and was masterful at finding ways to not let the new limits of aging hold him back. Climbing the grain bin was risky–but that did not stop him.
Row cropping became too demanding and he converted the fields to pasture and bought calves to fatten and sell but kept the heifers and bought a bull. Fences were rebuilt or added and, like he did the row crop business, researching hed management by reading magazines and talking to others at daily coffee stop at the corner store. He broke down the fields into smaller pieces with electric fences to rotate fields and “working” the herd to optimize the yearling’s growth and improve the brood cows. New and better bulls were acquired and he really seemed the happiest out in the field with his cows.
During this time he had a minor heart attack and a four-way bypass. He paced himself to keep doing what he wanted to do. He accepted that he was getting older. He did not like it but he never complained although he would lament that walking had become difficult.
During his last years, he spent most of the day inside with Audrey as she also had difficulty walking. They were determined that neither would fall and break a hip or something that would not allow one of them to walk. Ray said many times that if that happened they would have to move to an assisted living facility as he said one of them could not care for the other if an invalid. They did not become recluses – only more careful. They continued their daily outings.
Every day they went to get the Mississippi Press newspaper and a cup of coffee. Dad drove and went in to get the paper in Mississippi. At the convenience store, back on the Alabama side of the line, he went in to have his coffee while Audrey waited in the car reading the newspaper. The drive back home ended the daily outing and they finished the day watching more news programs via the satellite dish and looking forward to Peggy and Frank stopping by after work.
His faith in God, his determination to live on his farm and take care of himself and his wife, carried him to his last day, January 24, 2010. Ninety years, one month and 24 days had elapsed since that little baby boy appeared on the farm in Lucedale Mississippi.
He left the world a better place.