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We meet no ordinary people in our lives. They are special to someone, somewhere.
Farris Nave was a stay-at-home mom, who loved deeply, worked hard, and was a caregiver. Farris was raised in the Tiger Valley community, one of two daughters of Carmen and Bonnie Whitehead.
She was the widow of Harold Lee Nave and the mother of two daughters, Patty Whitson and the late Melissa Richardson. She was also a grandmother and great-grandmother.
Farris was a caregiver to her parents and enjoyed babysitting for the children in her church at Sunset Free Will Baptist Church. “She was a very unselfish person and wanted everyone to be treated fairly. Mom was there for everyone,” said her daughter, Patty.
Farris didn’t have any one specific job, she had many. She took care of her home, raised her two daughters, was there for her husband. She raised a vegetable garden and canned many of the vegetables she grew. “Tomatoes was her favorite thing to grow, and she was good at it. When they ripened she often canned them to use in soup and other dishes. She was a good gardener and homemaker,” said Patty.
Farris also grew flowers and did yard work as well as did housework. “She kept her home clean and comfortable. She was a simple cook, but a good cook. She made the best cornbread, potato salad, and steak and gravy. Everything she made was tasty, including her fried chicken and soup mix,” said Patty Whitson.
“Mom was the backbone of our family. She was there for everyone; for her parents, for her children, and babysit her grandchildren and great-grandchildren a lot. She loved her family, and there’s not anything she wouldn’t have done for them,” her daughter shared.
Patty said her mother didn’t have many hobbies. She stayed busy taking care of her home and family, however, when time allowed she did enjoy watching television.
“Mom liked politics, and watched Fox News,” said Patty with a chuckle. “She also enjoyed shopping and going out to eat.”
Farris was a devout Christian and attended Sunset Free Will Baptist Church, and faithfully attended as long as her health permitted it. “Mom was not a judgmental person and rarely said anything bad about anyone. When someone said something bad about someone, she would simply say, ‘we need to pray for them,’” Patty shared.
Although, Farris grew up in Tiger Valley, she lived most of her married years in the Long Hollow community, where her husband was raised. “She and my dad built a house at his old homeplace, and that became home to us,” said Patty.
“Mom was a simple person, but a giving person, who tried to make life good for those around her. She loved her family, her church, and had a lot of friends,” said Patty.
“She spent her last days at Ivy Hall Nursing Home, and the staff was so good to her, and we are very grateful to them for their love and care,” her daughter shared.
Farris Nave died April 20 and was laid to rest in the McKinney Cemetery, not far from her home.
As much as she loved her family and friends, the most important person in Farris’ life was God. It was to Him, she looked for strength and help (Psalms 121: 1-2).
Farris Nave is a reminder that there are no ordinary people in life. They are special to someone and for what they do.