James White
Zona always leaned to watch for me. Anxious if I was late for work, or even was going to show up. She knew my schedule like the back of her hand. In the Fall, Winter and Summer, peeping through her open window just to see if my bright red Jeep was parked in the front of Paramount. I always wondered, “Has Zona even rested or is she up waiting on me again to drop off my jacket in her room after clocking into work just, so she can verify and make sure I was there”? She was always my favorite and she knew it. I tried not to spoil her as much but that lasted all of 5 seconds. She was like one of those grandmas that you run over their house every day just to get away from your parents. I used to just enjoy her presence just as much as she enjoyed mine. Our bond was EVERYTHING. Zona was truly MY GRANDMOTHER. She used to make me little bracelets to wear around, taught me how to crochet, sew up holes in my scrubs, have me picking out her clothes, doing her hair, getting her up and out the bed, applying her makeup and lipstick, mailing her mail off, proof reading poems that she wrote nearly every day, delivering her crossword puzzles, watering her plants, fixing on her little power wheel and so much more. IF I wasn’t there, she’ll either stay in bed, not wanting to be bother, or tell the other aides (“THIS IS NOT HOW JAMES DOES THINGS”). I was “HER HONEY, HER LITTLE DARLING”. I’m going to miss my Z-Lady. Her sassy mouth and all the secrets that we shared, I’ll forever cherish in my heart. I thank God for allowing me to speak with her on the phone one last time on December 19, 2017 at 8:42PM to be exact while she was up and in great spirits. I furthermore thank God for placing her in my life. She has made a lot of my days living in Houston, Tx more enjoyable. She was supposed to dance around at my wedding and live forever. But the conversations that we held, I knew she was more than ready for whatever God had in store for her. “ZONA, YOU MADE IT!” Even though this is a sad occasion, I’m more than sure she was ready and eager to finally get through those heavenly gates and reunite with all her loved ones especially her husband. She talked about this day numerous of times, and even wrote about it in her poems. She wasn’t afraid, and she didn’t hold back. Zona was one of the tough ones and I will forever miss her.
To her family and sons,
I am sending my deepest condolences. I’m so sorry I couldn’t make it due to things that are out of my control. I thank you all for allowing me to steal a piece of your mother’s heart and branding her name and memories in mine. It’s okay to cry. I’ve cried and wiped my eyes and cried a little bit more. We all loved Zona and Zona strongly loved all of us. God won’t put more on you than you can bear. But if you happen to be in doubt and have nowhere else to turn from this, remember to lift your heads unto the hills from which comes your help and all your help comes from the Lord and when you are looking toward those same hills, THERE, Zona Mae Rowell will be looking back smiling. I love you all and I will continue praying for you guys.
-James White.
