This isn’t the post I’d planned to share today. I consider it a blessing that I was able to write stories about Belle Meade Plantation here in Nashville, and today at Belle Meade we’ll be celebrating the life of a man who was very instrumental in me writing those stories.
Alton Kelley, the former President of the Belle Meade Historic Site and Winery, died December 2 after a brief illness at the age of 63 (glioblastoma). Here is Alton’s obiturary that so captures the man—and lover of story and history—that he was. And still is, on the other side of eternity.
As I told Alton’s wife Sheree, I’ve never read an obituary that so wonderfully portrays who that person was in this life on earth. Alton lived a very full life in his 63 years!
I’m so grateful God crossed my path with Alton and Sheree, not only in writing the Belle Meade novels, but just on this earthly journey. And since we’re brother and sisters in Christ, that journey has only begun!
Later today, I’ll return to this post and share some pictures I’ll take from Belle Meade. It always stirs my heart to visit that place, especially the Old Harding Cabin where Uncle Bob, an enslaved man at Belle Meade and a true hero in his own right, lived. Alton was passionate about keeping real history alive and was profoundly instrumental in bringing to light the histories of slaves who lived and worked at Belle Meade, which definitely helped me write the Belle Meade stories with more authenticity.
Learn more about Belle Meade’s real history…
Blessings on your day, friends, and please be in prayer for Alton’s wife Sheree and their two grown sons and their families as we gather with them today to celebrate Alton’s life—but far more, to celebrate the great God and Eternal King Jesus who Alton loved and longed for.
Much love from Nashville,
Tammy
Here are some pictures I snapped at Belle Meade as I walked around following the celebration service for Alton, which was beautiful. Sheree his wife spoke with such grace and love. God was glorified at every turn!
Pay it forward . . .
Tamera blogs every first and third Tuesday at Inspired by Life . . . and Fiction, a group blog she shares with a wonderful community of authors. If you'd like to join the conversation on this post, Tamera would love to see you there!