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Charlie Elton Lynn

@_poor_mans_friend_

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100yo Grandpa, Father, Widower & Friend.
Storyteller, fisherman, classic movie lover.
WWII hero, homeless helper and Jesus follower ✞

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Journal Entry: A Farewell and a Beginning… taken in Dalraida, Montgomery by @_poor_mans_friend_

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a year ago

The last time I saw you was on a Thursday.

We were in that dreadful, old hospital room. The obnoxious sounds of your roommate’s television filled the air. A thin, plastic curtain separated us from someone else’s grandad. You held my hand tightly and asked, “You still there, John Boy Blue? Don’t leave me, please.” But I wasn’t going anywhere. I was trying to soothe you from any worries or fear that lay ahead, but tears fell from your eyes. When I kissed your forehead, I caught them with my finger upon your cheek—I like to think I still have them with me. Absorbing a part of you.

You were tired, torn between staying and going. You’d waited long enough to reunite with your wife, your son, and my mom. Selfishly, I wanted you to stay. I asked them for just one more week, one more holiday, one more year…but it wasn’t to be.

You passed away a week later on a Friday.

**********

As many of you know, I shared a rare bond with my grandfather, Charlie, who we lost last week. To me he was more than a grandfather—he was a father, a best friend, a healer and often my partner in tomfoolery :)

He was a storyteller; someone who brought people together with his levity and warmth. He was an innate creator of fellowship and a role model to many. He taught me how to fish, play golf, shoot a gun (Heck, I could list off about 50)—all the things of course a Southern boy should know. But more importantly, he taught me about faith and family.

In many ways, he was the closest connection I had to my mother. When I was with him, I felt her presence all around. Through his smile, through his gestures—it was hard not to see or to feel. As much as he helped me heal after she passed, I believe I helped him heal too. It was part of the reason why I moved to Nashville, to be near him, to continue to heal and protect one another; to create more memories with my best friend...

I’m really going to miss you, Charlie Lynn, “The Poor Man’s Friend.” Give mom and memaw a hug for me, will you?

Roll Tide,

-John “Boy Blue” Charles Lynn Jester

“I’ll be back quicker than you can say…Jack Robinson.” taken in Alabama by @_poor_mans_friend_

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2 years ago

Quick pit stop for some coffee & waffles…and a little reflection ☕️ #98 taken in Waffle House by @_poor_mans_friend_

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3 years ago

Headed back to the Alabama Safari and then to a little BBQ fest downtown today! taken in Hope Hull, Alabama by @_poor_mans_friend_

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3 years ago

At first it was, “I never drink coffee. Memaw did now, but I haven’t had coffee in 75 years.”

Now it’s, “Hey Blue, let’s get some of that coffee” :)

And this morning, like every morning, it was: “I’m not hungry, I’ve already eaten. I don’t want nuthin!” Well, I knew that was a fib :). So I said, “Okay, just come with me to Waffle House. They have great coffee!”

And so, we did. We talked, we laughed, and ole Charlie had an entire waffle, a side of buttered grits with sausage, and a coffee. Black.

“Gosh, that was good! I don’t believe I’ve ever been to a Waffle House. If I have, I don’t remember it. But, I’ll tell you one thing…best grits I have ever put in my mouth (besides Memaw’s of course).”

We’ll be back @wafflehouseofficial

#thisis96 by @_poor_mans_friend_

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4 years ago

Just cool as a cucumber talking about going to see GONE WITH THE WIND as a boy when it came out in the theatre. #ThisIs96

Oh, and regarding Charlie’s slouch, you cant coach that kind of coolness. taken in Dalraida, Montgomery by @_poor_mans_friend_

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5 years ago

"You made my day today, John Boy Blue..."

Today, I surprised Charlie with a trip down memory lane.

Apparently, for the last few days, he's been wondering where I go to get coffee. I told him, "at the ole Kress building downtown." After hearing that name, he would not stop saying things like how he "was raised there," "grew up there," and how he "hung out there in the 1930's." I obviously became intrigued. What was this place at one point? So I did a little research and away we went...to "the ole Kress building."

For those of you who don't know, S.H. Kress & Co was a nationwide five & dime that stretched from New York to Hawaii. Opening its doors around 1890, they were fixtures of the neighborhood, the city block, and the town square. You could buy anything and everything from shoes to clothes, to groceries and even motorcycles. It would be as if Woolworths and Sears & Roebuck had a baby, but with style. The buildings were beautifully constructed in art deco architecture and often furnished with European art, so people often dressed in their "Sunday's best to go to Kress" because according to Charlie, "everybody went to Kress!"

To paint an even more historical picture, S.H Kress & Co is down the street from Martin Luther King's old church, next door to where Rosa Parks got on the bus, and across the street from the Montgomery Theatre where John Wilkes Booth used to perform.

So, on this hot, southern spring day, I left the camera rolling, the mic speeding and the floodgates open for the memories that I would have yet to hear.

#ThisIs96
#BlueAndCharlie
#HappyBirthday
@jester_too by @_poor_mans_friend_

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5 years ago

Before Charlie competed in his first bridge tournament in over a year, he was saluted and celebrated for his service in WWII. ♦️🎖🏅 taken in Frazer Church by @_poor_mans_friend_

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5 years ago

Charlie planted this pecan tree about 71 years ago this year. I used to climb this thing all the time...but it’s probably been about 20 years. So I thought I’d fix up its surroundings this morning. With Sandy standing guard, we cleaned the yard, pieced together some fallen bird baths, filled them with water and watched with Charlie as they turned 3608 Mayfair Road back into nature’s community bath house. Though it’s overwhelmingly obvious we’re missing the beautification from Memaw’s green thumb, but Spring is near...and we’ll try and give Charlie a view he hadn’t seen in a while. ➡️ by @_poor_mans_friend_

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6 years ago

You come back now...! taken in Sweet Home Alabama by @_poor_mans_friend_

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6 years ago

5/23/2020. A very special day for a very special person. Happy 95th birthday to my Grandfather who was born on this day in 1925. Because of COVID, I organized a surprise drive-by parade where it appeared that half the town came out to salute ole Charlie. He was overwhelmed with love. And because it was Memorial Day and with Charlie being a WWII veteran, he wanted to wear his American flag party hat! (He can still throw down with the best of ‘em lol). Just glad that over 100 people kept the secret safe. More to come! taken in Montgomery, Alabama by @_poor_mans_friend_

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6 years ago