This page is dedicated to my Mom, Hattie J. Ginyard. When I became her caregiver, I had no idea how deeply the journey would change me. When she passed away unexpectedly, I was too overwhelmed to finish her obituary — and for years, that weighed on me. I've since learned this is common.
When a caregiving season ends suddenly, grief often arrives as shock, exhaustion, and numbness rather than the clarity it takes to write someone's life story. The fact that I couldn't finish it said more about the depth of my love than any failure on my part. This page is what I couldn't write then. It's not an obituary — it's a living tribute to my Mom's life, faith, and legacy, and to the caregiving journey that eventually became the foundation for my book and for The Life Strategies.
I later realized I wasn't alone in this. Many families are grieving while also making arrangements, writing obituaries, and coordinating services — all at once, in the hardest season of their lives. That's part of why The Life Strategies now includes grief and memorial support resources. Sometimes people don't need another task. They need someone to walk with them.
In many ways, this page is the homegoing service I never gave my Mom. A reminder that even when we don't do everything perfectly, love still leaves a lasting impact.
Hattie M. Jones Ginyard of Glendale, Arizona, formerly a resident of Stamford, Connecticut, suddenly transitioned peacefully from her home in Glendale, Arizona to her eternal home in Heaven on Monday, May 10, 2021. She was born June 22, 1935 in Eastover, South Carolina to the late Thomas and Mae Bertha Mitchell. Hattie was a Church Mother at Cornerstone COGIC for many years where her son, Gilbert S. Ginyard, Sr. , is the Pastor. Hattie was employed at Stamford Hospital, Stamford, Connecticut for over 30 years, until her retirement.
Hattie is survived by daughters, Michelle R. Jones of Glendale, Arizona, Connie Simms and Carolynn (Brian) Oliver of Bowie, MD; two sons, Michael Jones (Lori) of West Haven, Connecticut, and Gilbert S. Ginyard, Sr. (Pamela Yvette) of Stamford, Connecticut, grandsons, David C. Jones of West Haven, Connecticut, Gilbert S. Ginyard, Jr. of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Kevin "Chip" Ginyard, Jr. of Atlanta, Georgia; 2 granddaughters, Jazmine L. Ginyard of Stamford, Connecticut and Noel Ginyard Carter (Anthony) of Bridgeport, Connecticut; a brother, Roosevelt (LaGretta) Mitchell of Stamford, Connecticut; two sisters, Johnnie M. Hudson of Bronx, New York, and Mildred L. Hudson of Stamford, Connecticut; her closest sister-friend Johnnie Mae Oliver, of Birmingham, Alabama, and a number of nieces, nephews, grandsons, granddaughters, cousins, and other relatives and friends scattered throughout the country.
Hattie was predeceased in death by her loving husband, Elder William D. “Poppy” Ginyard, Sr., sons, Christopher K. Jones, Harry A. Ginyard, Pastor Willie R. Ginyard, Sr., Pastor Barry L. Ginyard, Sr., Pastor Kevin D. Ginyard, Sr., and daughters Mother Helen J. King, Bonnie Cheryl McCrae, and Mother June Ginyard.
Hattie loved the Lord, reading her Bible and listening to gospel music. She enjoyed painting, drawing and coloring, solving word search puzzles, playing Bingo, and watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. She loved flowers and fresh vegetables from her gardens through the years.
During the last 18 months of my Mom's life, she enjoyed sharing meals, attending exercise classes, workshops, and community events with me (Michelle), her friends and neighbors, who'd become like family, at Glencroft Center For Modern Aging (CCRC) in Glendale, Arizona where she enjoyed her last season of life here on earth.
(A legacy of faith, hope, love and laughter.)
My mother may never have imagined that her final season of life would inspire books, workshops, strategy sessions, community conversations, and resources designed to help others. But in many ways, her legacy lives on through every person who finds hope, encouragement, and guidance through The Life Strategies.
Every family supported.
Every caregiver encouraged.
Every grieving heart reminded they are not alone.
Every person who discovers that a life transition does not have to define their future.
This work exists because of love -- A daughter's love for her mother; and a desire to help others navigate life's transitions with faith, hope, and love.
Thank you for your love.
Thank you for your faith.
Thank you for teaching me that laughter is good for the soul.
Thank you for your example.
Thank you for the lessons that continue to shape my life.
And thank you for inspiring a mission that now helps others find their way through life's most challenging seasons.
Your music still plays in my heart.
And your legacy continues through every life touched by The Life Strategies.
Love always,
Michelle
My Mom's story — and the season that followed — became part of what led me to found The Life Strategies. If you're navigating a similar season, I've written about it here:
https://www.thelifestrategies.com/where-the-life-strategies-began