June 11, 2012- The day of Alexis Rose Washington's Funeral - Part 1

From my Blog : June 8-10: Tough days !! Not only did I lose my daughter I lost a dear friend. Posted on

 October 31, 2012 :  We got back to Mel's and I went to sleep anxious about what tomorrow would bring. As the sun came through the blinds in my room at Mel's the heart wrenching sobs began again. It was June 11, 2012 the day of my daughter’s funeral.

Melanie opened the door to the room I was sleeping in because she heard my sobs and said  with tears in her eyes “Oh Susan , is there anything I can do ?” I just smiled sadly and nodded no so thankful for my good friends.  I got up and had coffee with Mel and Peri. Mel had to go to work but would meet us at the church that evening so it was a day to spend with Peri. Peri had been one of my dearest friends since we met in 8^th grade and I grabbed her hair in shock because I had never seen so much hair on one person : ))  From that moment forward we were inseparable. It was Peri who saved my mother from our burning home when she passed out in a drunken stupor and dropped a lit cigarette in her bed. And although we had drifted apart because of we went different paths in life each time we reconnected it was like we had never been a part. To be with Peri was comfortably familiar and I needed that with this loss. She had been there for me with every loss ( mother, Kathey, and Daddy) but this loss cut the deepest so I was just so grateful for her presence.

We left Mel’s to go to Wylie and our dear friend Cheri came with us. I needed to drop off an obituary at the Wylie News and take Jake, New Hope’s Youth Pastor who would be speaking, some notes about Alexis and he was going to let me know what he would say.

The last time Peri had been to Wylie we stopped by the house and saw Alexis and picked up Riley then we went to Sonic to visit Hailey and Sammy. It was quite a visit at Sonic as Sammy and Hailey’s co workers came to get an autograph from the television star. Peri loved the feeling of Wylie back then, just that small town Texas feel and that had not changed.

We drove into downtown Wylie to visit the Wylie News and walked around downtown . I don’t think I know of many downtowns that are as quaint as downtown Wylie. We then went to the flower shop because I wanted to buy a rose to take to the cross. Both Peri and Cheri made orders for the funeral and got something to lay at the cross. At some point Riley joined us and we went to the cross. It is just such a beautiful place and I am so thankful that if she had to die she died there.

Peri and Riley at the cross the day of the funeral 

Warner, Riley, and I at the cross on the day of Alexis' funeral.

Visiting the site where my daughter died on the day of her funeral. I am wearing the shirt she wore just two weeks before on Memorial Day at Mel's. 

Alexis, Shelby, and I on Memorial Day 2012. Exactly two short weeks before Alexis' funeral. I wore the shirt she is wearing on June 11.

After visiting the cross Peri, Cheri , and I  went to New Hope. The church was bustling with activity . We spoke to Jake in the parking lot and then went to see Kerri and Rita who were practicing for the service. We sat down and I walked to the podium and in tears asked Rita to play for me. She played the keyboard and sang as the spirit led . It was a healing powerful moment that Peri captured on video. Later Rita told me she didn’t realize that was Peri with me. She has been a fan of Peri’s for a very long time , she loved her on Frasier. She said she was glad she didn’t know or she would have been nervous  playing in front of her. It must have been a God thing because I know Peri is now a fan of Rita’s : ))

Rita singing to me from Susan DeFace Washington on Vimeo.

We then left the church to go get mani pedis and get ready for the service. We needed to be back at the church by 5:30 for a dinner provided to the family and close friends. Peri told me she had arranged for Deryl Dodd to play at the funeral as well. He would sing during the closing. All I could think was “Wow” two of Skyline’s most famous alumni would be performing at the service for the daughter of one of the most infamous, me. God is certainly amazing how he orchestrated all of this.  I was on pins and needles feeling so anxious hoping and praying the service would be beautiful for my rosebud. I was still in shock and couldn’t believe my baby was gone.

We went back  to Mel’s and started getting ready for my youngest daughter's  funeral.