My sweet Nannie passed away a few days ago and while no one could say it came out of left field, I feel like death still always feels like a curveball. Suddenly a staple in your life is gone and the way you think about the world gets completely rearranged- from annual traditions to check in routines. While we grieve, I’d love to tell you a little about my grandma.
Remembering Nannie
My mom’s mom lived on the most beautiful piece of land out in the countryside of Georgia. She and my Pawpaw built their home in the late 1980’s on land that had been in the family for decades and “the farm” (as we have always lovingly referred to it) has been a staple in my life ever since. It has hosted every Thanksgiving and was the backdrop of a lot of fun childhood days filled with walks in the woods to the creek, shooting shotguns, back of the truck evening rides to look for deer, many a game of hide and go seek after dark, and endless Monopoly games and Marbles games on summer days that seemed to stretch on forever.
My Pawpaw passed away when I was a freshman in high school and my Nannie stayed in their home, watching deer, tending her garden (best spinach you’d ever eat), and volunteering regularly at her church. You could say Nannie led a quiet, country life and we’d all be blessed to know such a life. Visiting her always felt like a pause on the busy fast paced world we all sometimes feel caught in. Commitments and warp-speed living would move aside as soon as I pulled up the gravel drive, being replaced by back porch swings, conversations, story telling, and homemade vegetable soup.
Nannie was a petite woman with a kind heart, yet would make us chuckle with what we eventually deemed “Nannie-isms,” blunt statements of opinion given without concern of how they’d be received. Honestly they were always quite endearing given their contrast with her generally quiet nature and kind heart.
Nannie enjoyed looking into family records and mapped our lineage back to John Quincy Adams, which is a fun fact the girls enjoy sharing whenever a president is mentioned. Nannie made the best homemade dill pickles, a commodity fought over at every lunch table, and her pear preserves are fixed in our childhood memories as the very best biscuit topper. She kept her deep freezer full of mason jars stocked with homemade soups and meals. Growing up during the depression engrained in her a waste-nothing mentality.
When I had a pet pig as a child, Nannie and Pawpaw built a pig pen out back to house Sammy when we’d visit, complete with a little “Pigloo” for her to sleep in. When we were kids, Nannie and Pawpaw would take us to the nearby river where we’d float down in innertubes to escape the Georgia heat. One of my favorite childhood memories was Nannie and Pawpaw taking us out in the field, setting up a bed in the back of the truck, and letting us lay there, looking up at the sky to watch a late night meteor shower.
Nannie was a talented seamstress in her day and I still have doll clothes she made for my dolls when I was a girl. She made my mom’s wedding dress and for my wedding, she made my garter from fabric taken from my mom’s wedding dress and added tiny pearls to it from David’s mom’s wedding dress. It was my favorite thing I wore on that day.
Even into her late years, Nannie would walk to the pecan tree regularly and always had bags of shelled pecans in the freezer ready to gift to us. Nannie always kept pictures of her family proudly displayed on her fridge and her giant bible ready for reference on her coffee table. Nannie prayed for us and for others regularly, always strong in her faith.
We will gather later this week to honor her life. In my mind I picture Nannie and Pawpaw reunited after so many years apart and that makes me smile. But you’ll be missed down here, Nannie. I’m grateful for all the years that I got to spend with you; until we meet again.<3
Kelli Harrison says
Thank you for sharing your Nannie with us. She sounds like a wonderful woman. Sad that she lost her husband so long ago 😓 at least they’re together now.
Brittany Dixon says
They are together now and I bet it was a joyous reunion. She was one tough southern cookie. Thank you for your kind words <3
Sandrah says
What a beautiful tribute to such a wonderful grandmother. She sounds like a Proverbs 31 woman that had such a profound impact on your life. Thank you for sharing her with us. Praying for your family.
Brittany Dixon says
She’s an inspiration to me in many ways and I definitely strive to follow in her footsteps with many of them. Thank you for your kind comment <3
kim weigand says
I am so sorry for you and your family’s loss. Thanks for sharing her with us through the years.
Brittany Dixon says
Thank you for your kindness, Kim <3
Sherry says
Brittany you write so beautifully from your heart. Thank you for sharing your memories of Nannie. It brought tears to my eyes. You showed her so much love throughout her lifetime! She loved the fall decorations that you and the girls did for her house a few weeks ago. You could not have been named after a better person.
Brittany Dixon says
I carry the Ann name with honor! You are the truest example of what love looks like in action. You love your people so well. We are so lucky to have you. Love you, Mama!
Kathy says
Prayers for your family. Nannie sounds like a beautiful person who touched so many lives. Thanks for sharing. May you be at peace knowing the comfort she is in now.
Brittany Dixon says
Thank you so much, Kathy. She was a special woman indeed. <3
Karen Jasmin says
I am so sorry for the loss of your Nannie…. Your tribute was beautiful 💕
Brittany Dixon says
Thank you, Karen; it was healing to write <3 <3
Stephanie Whyte says
I am so sorry for this loss. As an OG blog reader I remember many things you have shared about her. Your family will be in my prayers.
Brittany Dixon says
OG blog reader should be renamed to long term (decade+) friend! <3 Thank you, Stephanie
Marie says
So sorry for your loss. Grandmothers (aka Nannies) are the most special people. She lives on in you, and your girls. PS – your youngest niece looks exactly like you as a girl!
Brittany Dixon says
Aw, well thank you, I think my youngest niece is so cute so what a compliment to me 😉 Thank you for your kind words <3
Sammie says
what a sweet way to remember her! how precious to have had so many years and for her to have known her great grand-daughters! ♥️
Brittany Dixon says
A blessing not to be taken for granted- she got to know all six of her great grandchildren. So special! <3
Christina Orso says
So sorry for your lost Brittany. Sending a huge hug to your family!
Brittany Dixon says
Thank you, Christina! So nice to see your name pop up on here <3 🙂
Joanna says
So sorry for the loss of your grandma. Grandparents are the sweetest relationships and I think of mine often. Your tribute was beautifully written. May her memory be eternal and live on in your hearts. 🙏
Brittany Dixon says
You’re so spot on- grandparents’ love is a special class all it’s own. Thank you for your kind words. <3
Kelli H says
I’m so sorry to hear about Nannie’s passing. I love that you called her Nannie because I also call mine “Nanny”. She sounds like she lived a beautiful life and she sure had an amazing daughter, granddaughter, and great granddaughters! I hope it’s a beautiful gathering for all of you. Sending you and your momma some extra prayers this evening.
Brittany Dixon says
Thank you, Kelly! I haven’t heard many others call their grandmas Nannie/y, so I think it’s really neat that you do, too! <3
Anne says
Dear Brittany
I really am very sorry to hear that your Nannie is no longer with you. You have written such a wonderful tribute which captures the essence of your Nannie. Think you for sharing. I wish your family lots of love whilst you navigate this sad phase.
From across the pond.
Brittany Dixon says
I feel your love from across the pond; thank you so much. <3 <3
Audrey says
I’m sorry for your loss. You have such beautiful memories and she is reunited with her husband now. Its wonderful that your girls got to know their great grandma! I lost my grandparents when I was a teenager and I still miss them.