Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch died September 8, 2022. Millions from around the world loved her and had fond memories of her reign. There are many who only knew her as the head of the British Commonwealth. Many wish to share their thoughts.
You can have a message held in the Royal Archives for posterity. Visit the Royal . UK and scroll down to take time and offer a brief message to the royal family. This message will be forward to them and will be held in the Royal Archives for posterity.
When living life, its important to say “Lord willing” because we never know so, I say “Lord willing and the Flights go right”, Jacksonville Blogger will be in London to see the Queen’s events regarding her passing.
PA graphic
For so long, many even in Jacksonville such as myself have known only Queen Elizabeth as the “Her Majesty, the Queen of England”. With fondness, we have followed her life and the lives of her husband, children and children’s children.
Jacksonville Blogger will be there to celebrate her life the week of her funeral and events before and after. Stay tuned….
For over seventy years, Queen Elizabeth II has had the hearts of so many. She has endeared herself to the masses over the years of her long reign. In her own right, she surpassed Queen Victoria for the longest living monarch and all over the world has been an icon and living Christian in her walk. On September 8, 2022, she is said to have died peacefully in her home.
Q E II-Resale Photo
Over the years she has stood strong in “defending the faith”, standing for what is right and in her own personal life and having had no scandal to tarnish her personal self. While her children and grandchildren have had concerns in their lives, she has been strong and projected a life “lived well”, as her son, the new King Charles III said in his first speech as King. Let’s just hope he is a defender of the Christian faith as was his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Honors to the Queen for her service.
According to the Virginia Governor Glen Younkin’s order the flags were to be flown at half-staff over the state Capitol and other state and federal buildings until the date of Queen Elizabeth’s interment, WY Daily reported.
Queen Elizabeth II (Ramey)
The Queen had visited Virginia on two occasions dating back to 1957 with a royal visit to Jamestown and Williamsburg.
In 2007, Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Phillip visited Colonial Williamsburg including William and Mary College, being a part of the commemoration of the 400 Anniversary of the relationship of Britain to America.
Queen Elizabeth died September 8th at the age of 96. She was the longest reigning monarch surpassing Queen Victoria.
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom has died. Her son, Charles III is now king. Here is his statement:
“The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.
Royal Photo of King Charles and QEII
We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.
During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held.”
Many in the United Kingdom have only known a woman as the “Defender of the Faith” and now comes King Charles III, her son as King.
We, in Jacksonville mourn Her Majesty the Queen’s loss too.
As reported by the Royal website and The New York Times-
“I speak to you today with feelings of profound sorrow.
King Charles III-Royal Photo
Throughout her life, Her Majesty The Queen — my beloved Mother — was an inspiration and example to me and to all my family, and we owe her the most heartfelt debt any family can owe to their mother; for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example.
Queen Elizabeth’s was a life well lived; a promise with destiny kept and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today. Alongside the personal grief that all my family are feeling, we also share with so many of you in the United Kingdom, in all the countries where the queen was head of state, in the Commonwealth and across the world, a deep sense of gratitude for the more than seventy years in which my mother, as queen, served the people of so many nations.
In 1947, on her 21st birthday, she pledged in a broadcast from Cape Town to the Commonwealth to devote her life, whether it be short or long, to the service of her peoples. That was more than a promise: it was a profound personal commitment which defined her whole life.She made sacrifices for duty. Her dedication and devotion as Sovereign never wavered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss. In her life of service we saw that abiding love of tradition, together with that fearless embrace of progress, which make us great as Nations. The affection, admiration and respect she inspired became the hallmark of her reign. And, as every member of my family can testify, she combined these qualities with warmth, humor and an unerring ability always to see the best in people.
I pay tribute to my Mother’s memory and I honor her life of service. I know that her death brings great sadness to so many of you, and I share that sense of loss, beyond measure, with you all.”
Queen Elizabeth’s son, now King Charles III- September, 2022
The Royal Family announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, “Published 8 September 2022”. She was the longest living Monarch ever at 70 years and 214 days.
Royal Photo Press Release
“The following announcement has been issued by Royal Communications: The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to Long tomorrow”.
Somehow, many feel as if we knew Queen Elizabeth II, even those who live in Jacksonville. God Bless her legacy for it will live on into Eternity.
“It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year, but the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services: ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it’… Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short life, Christ’s unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence but simply that we should love one another.” (Queen Elizabeth II, Christmas message, 2015)
Geneva Kathryn Long Vaughan was born October 20th, 1924. She was born on the South Carolina home place and grew up in that tiny Estill town which is considered the Deep South. She was a twin with Geneer Long Thompson and her older brother and sister, Dennis and Dorris were twins as well. Too, their grandfathers on the Long side were twins and their brothers were twins so there were 2 sets of twins in both of those Long families. These twins have been known in the area as the “Famous Long Twins”.
Geneer- Geneva
My Mother was the older of the two twins. The two were completely focussed on being together and spending their lives devoted. Even into their adult years dressed alike and stayed close in their relationship.
Geneva, my Mom died at the young age of 49 of a brain tumor. What a tragedy to our family at any age but 49 was just too early to be taken. As a young person in Estill, she worked in the local drug store owned by her Aunt and Uncle. She graduated from Estill High School and attended Nixville Baptist Church. Her father was a farmer and her mother a housewife.
Somewhere around 1943, she met my Father, Alec P. Vaughan, Jr. at the Sandy Run Baptist Church. They had a Baptist Association meeting and my Father was serving as a seater. He seated my Mother and her sister to a bench on the front row. This caused a great deal of fuss and from there, they began to get to know one another.
Alec-Geneva
World War II was raging and my Father was drafted into the Army where he went abroad. Times were hard and through a turn of events, my mother’s dad needed work and found it in Jacksonville, Florida at the shipyards. The family moved to Duval County while my Father was over seas in the war.
When the war ended, he came home by way of Florida’s Camp Blanding where my mother met him. They were married in December of that same year and have lived in Jacksonville, Florida until their deaths. In 1974 and 2015 respectively.
My Mother was, in my eyes a beauty. She had big and full brown hair, sky blue eyes and a wide and happy smile. Her voice and actions were sweet. She was a nurse, not certified but sweetified to be one and spent her working days helping others feel better. Mama was kind-hearted and tender.
She went to be with the Lord on this day. She is still miss her.
So, I did not even think about the gas gauge. It never occurred to me on this trip to Augusta that I needed petro, again. I filled up before I left Jacksonville so in my mind, I’m good to go.
This morning as I left Columbia County on “E”. I didn’t realize it until the car made that dastardly sound of rapid “ding. ding. ding”. It was then that I panicked. First of all, although I know that particular area sort-of-kinda, Wayne, the brother-in-law sent me a different way because of area construction. That way, I have almost no idea how far it is to anything. If you know anything about Georgia’s countryside, you know the blocks are actually “country blocks”…. Long and far.
With the radio, and AC off and anything else that I thought might use more gas, I headed to where I thought was a gas station. With knots in my stomach and a prayer, off I went headlong in that direction. “Whew”, I said as I pulled into the empty parking lot of the gas station. It was then I realized it was Sunday and not open at that time!
I saw a young man there hoping to go in as well and ask him where the nearest station was. He said, “Oh, a couple of miles. Why?” I explained that I was in a pickle. Right away, he said…”Don’t worry. Follow me. I’ve got a little extra time”.
So I did. I followed him right into the station and he waved me off to go do whatever he was going to do. People can me nice. His mama did a good job.
Today, August 23, 2022 there was a chance to change or solidify the way you feel about this great country. If you really care about America, you’ll vote in one of the primaries. Polls open at 7:00a.m., closing at 7:00 p.m. If you’re still in line at 7:00 you’ll still have opportunity to vote. So, go vote.
In recent months those in Jacksonville received new voting cards which included your basic information and a precinct location in which you can go cast your ballot. Here are requirements as provided on the My Florida website:
Florida driver’s license
Florida identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
United States passport
Debit or credit card
Military identification
Student identification
Retirement center identification
Neighborhood association identification
Public assistance identification
Veteran health identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
License to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to s. 790.06
Employee identification card issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the Federal Government, the state, a county, or a municipality.
If your photo ID does not include your signature, you will be asked to provide another ID that has your signature.
If you do not bring proper ID, you can still vote a provisional ballot. As long as you are eligible and voted in the proper precinct, your provisional ballot will count provided the signature on your provisional ballot matches the signature in your registration record. 8-23-22
I voted in the early voting opportunity. I hope you voted too and vote to make and keep America great.
