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My grandmother, Mary Frances Sharp, always plays a piano medley when I visit. And with each visit, this developed tradition becomes more timeless for me.
My grandmother, Mary Frances Sharp, always plays a piano medley when I visit. And with each visit, this developed tradition becomes more timeless for me.
35 Comments
Diann Roy
August 3, 2010I am a friend of Nancy’s . She shared this and I want to say “Thank You” how very sweet and beautiful.
Carol Hoffman
August 3, 2010Im so proud that Nancy shared this with us and I think it’s absolutely beautiful. It is filled with so much love and beauty. Lots of thought went into this and you should be proud of the end results and of yourself.
Sharon Sheppard
August 3, 2010My goodness, thank you Mrs. Sharp, you have given grace to our day. My husband and I listened to this twice and feel so blessed that your family shared it with us.
gary s chapman
August 4, 2010Well done Chis. A wonderful tribute and a beautiful piece. I also learned a lot from your description of your method. Many thanks for sharing.
gary
Matea Michelangeli
August 4, 2010Absolutely wonderful!! Loved every aspect of it. The explanation was great too.
Enjoy your grandma, so wonderful to have grandmas in our lives.
Julie
August 4, 2010What a beautiful video! Your grandmother looks like she really enjoys playing the piano.
You have some awesome depth of field in your camera skills there…well done!
Nanette Reeves
August 6, 2010I have tears after watching this very beautiful clip of a woman I have admired ever since I’ve known her. It’s such a joy to see her sitting behind the piano and hear the love that comess from the music and to see her smile while she plays. What a treasure you have shared with all of us … thank you!
Laurie Griffin Seabaugh
August 6, 2010I was blessed to grow up attending Central Baptist Church in Magnolia where Mary Frances played the piano for our worship services and for the children and youth choirs that I was a part of. She is so precious to me as I remember her sweet spirit. You did an amazing job recording her playing from her heart. My husband and I just watched it together and as we did, we both got sentimental as we remembered how much Mary Frances and Ray touched our lives. Thank you so much for taking the time to share this recording. It was a wonderful and unexpected blessing to us both to have another opportunity to listen and to watch her face and hands as she played.
Glenda Dover Atkinson
August 6, 2010Beautiful, Chris! Your grandma is one of my favorite childhood memories. She made choir such a happy, fun place & has always been such a sweety! Love her lots & enjoyed seeing her play again just as beautifully as ever! Thanks so much!
Mike Seabaugh
August 7, 2010These are two people who really touched my life and now, through this video, they will continue to touch lives. Thank you for sharing this and thank you to Ray and Mary Francis for putting in all the years of faithful, loving living that 3 minutes of video will never capture but can highlight. Awesome job.
Mary Tullie Wyrick Critcher
August 7, 2010I feel so blessed to have seen this beautiful video. I have been crying since I started watching this and can not seem to stop. I am glad I am at home alone this morning. I have known your grandmother since I was a little girl. My grandmother was their next door neighbor. As you grow up, move away and start your own family… you forget sometime how your childhood has shaped your life. My grandmother and your great grandmother were good friends. Watching this made me realize just how fast our life is moving. Please tell your grandmother hello for me……. she is a part of my childhood memories……. beautiful memories.
Mary Tullie Wyrick Critcher
August 7, 2010Please ask your grandmother who the lady was in the first picture you showed.
Chris
August 7, 2010This is Chris. MawMaw says it was Mary Virginia Bustion Crumpler, and she’s the mother of Paul Crumpler. So she was Mary Frances’ paternal grandmother. Glad you all have enjoyed and been moved by the short video. Pass it on…
Glenda Seabaugh
August 7, 2010Many years ago our family was transferred to Magnolia and we were not happy about the move but through Central Baptist we met Mary Francis and Ray. They became a steadfast part of many wonderful times of worship. She played for me as I sang solos and in recent days as I visited in their home and visited with them taking my grandchildren to visit and she played the piano and they sang with her. What a worshipful experience for all of us! Their lives have touched us in so many special ways. Thanks for making this video.
Sinn
August 7, 2010Love you video Chris!!! You have to teach me sometimes..
Sarah Newton
August 7, 2010This is such a wonderful video–gettng to see Mary Francis and Ray was such a gift. They are precious people. It was also very emotional for me–so many memories.
Melinda Kelley Volker
August 7, 2010Beautiful! I too grew up at Central and enjoyed Mrs. Crumpler on the piano. Wonderful memories!
Hal and Marie Harris
August 7, 2010We moved to Magnolia and Central Baptist Church in 1976. Ray and Mary Francis were “pillars” and we recall some of the memories mentioned by others above. Her fingers still “have it” and the addition of her daughter sitting at the keyboard, along with the family pictures and creative video work just complete a genuine memory. Thank you for sharing.
Tammy S Caskey
August 7, 2010Thank you so much!! Mrs. Sharp was a long time customer of ours at Smittys and I loved to hear her talk of her children and grandchildren. I had occasion to hear her play….thank you for the tears and the memories. Job well done with a Tribute of Love, for your grandmother.
Carroll Blewster
August 10, 2010I literally grew up with Mary Francis. Every time we had ‘assembly’ in school. Mary Francis Crumpler was there to accompany the entire assembly in singing GOD BLESS AMERICA or another patriotic song. She and Paul were my childhood playmates. Thanks so much for this recollection of this wonderful lady
Anna
August 10, 2010What a fantastic way to end a day. I just watched your video and tears are welling. Your grandmother carries so much beauty. You captured it all perfectly. I love the colors in this clip you’ve made. My favorite parts were of course of her playing as well as the photo album being closed and the last few seconds of her gorgeous and life giving smile.
We love you and miss you here in NC. Keep posting your work. We are huge fans.
Donna Dover Dyson
August 11, 2010Thank you SO much for sharing this wonderful video of your grandmother!! She has always been one of my very favorite people!! She would keep choir practices lively through the years while I was growing up in Central. Such a wonderful memory you have made for so many of us who love her!! Also loved the shot of Mr. Sharp!
Ron (ronnie) Formby
August 12, 2010just saw this wonderful video. i lived across the street from Mary and Sam. Grew up deliveing their paper. Has christmas eve dinner with them. great time Nancy, Shara and Sam.
Jen Kruidenier
August 16, 2010Found your site again and I truly enjoyed the video of your grandmother. Very nice work. Thanks for sharing.
Cat
August 18, 2010Chris – your grandmother is gorgeous. Love the video.
Steve Taylor
September 5, 2010As a film teacher, I applaud your vision. Great job of using tools to strike an emotional chord. As someone who grew up in Central Baptist, Mrs. Sharp was a light that shined bright! Thank you for sharing your talent and family, just as she has shared for so long!
Chris Ratley
September 7, 2010This video blessed me more than you will ever know. I will never forget the times that Mrs. Sharp and my daddy, Morris Ratley, led music at Central Baptist. Thnak you for sharing this video and thank you Mrs. Sharp for putting up with my crazy daddy for so many years. You were always such a blessing to my parents and my family. May the Lord bless you as you contine to sing praises to our Savior.
Bonnie Riggins
September 12, 2010Mary Frances and Ray were part of our “extended” family as we grew up — brought together by our fathers who were both employed by W.C. Partee for over forty three years! To capture her love of music and continue to share it with us all .. is so special. When Mary Frances plays the piano … you are reigned in to listen, pause and reflect. You can’t help but be moved. Equal to her talent on the piano is her talent to always be optimistic and cheerful. A true, Southern Christian Lady that I am proud to know.
Brenda Bailey Brady
September 16, 2010Chris, you are so blessed to have Mrs. Sharp play for you. I grew up with her at Central. I was in Nancy’s class. Mrs. Sharp was always there for us surrounding us with her beautiful music. I can still see her face behind the piano in the choir room when Mr. Ratley was doing his funny stuff. We were so blessed by her life and Mr. Sharp, too. They were both always there for us watching us grow up. Thank you for sharing this joy with me again after so many many years. Tell Mr. and Mrs. Sharp thank you for all the years of love they showed me just by being there faithfully.
Gordon Brander
September 21, 2010This is really fine. Thanks for sharing.
Rob Edwards
March 4, 2011I’ve never met your Grandma but I’ve just watched this video in England. This is absolutely beautiful. Well done Chris. God Bless your wonderful Grandma.
Anthony Chabot
March 23, 2011Chris,
Beautiful job on this. Just outstanding. I thought I’d send you a quick message to let you know that you’re one of the inspirations I’ve had to move forward into the dslr world. Your work is amazing. I’ve recently purchased a canon 7d and a bunch of other equipment. Things are going great. It’s a lot to learn. Thank you for your inspiration.
Great job again.
Tony
Cindy Brown | Atlanta Wedding Photographer
April 5, 2011Love this piece. Wish I had done something similar with my grandmother’s before they died. I have a few still photos, but nothing special like this.
I did record my Dad telling stories before he died and I continue to collect stories from my Mom.
Yunus Kalule
April 12, 2011Awesome memories. Chris you have done a wonderful job filming these wonderful moments. You be blessed and may your parents and grandparents be blessed.
You have honored your parents and grandparents by your talent.
I thank you for sharing such sweet and lovely memories.
Rod Allen
April 18, 2011I thought this piece was quite brilliant, and I applaud your visual sensitivity and sense of history. Well done. — Rod