When I sat down today to add a blog entry I had no intention of writing about my mom. That said, here I am composing a short message about her, one week and one day after her death. Our family and friends are still experiencing a sense of loss but gratitude as we celebrate a beautiful life story of an incredible woman.
The black and white picture is of mom and me circa 1942. The color picture is one taken by Patti’s and my son Jeff within the past year. Though 90 plus years separate the two pictures there is one clear unmistakable identifier, her smile. I don’t think I have ever seen a picture of her that failed to capture her inner spirit and genuineness displayed for all to see through her captivating smile.
Ellen Teresa Mattingly Dailey was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, wife, sister, friend and business woman. She was a strong Catholic known for her consummate belief in the power of prayer and her relentless generosity to the Church, to Mount Saint Mary School for girls and Catholic High School for Boys. She was loving, gentle and gracious but could stand strong and tall on principle such as charging employees of Dailey’s Furniture Company twenty five cents anytime she heard a curse word slip from their lips. (all collections went to a charity.)
In retirement, she devoted herself to family, to helping my sister Kathy with the Auction business, and to making regular fun filled trips to play penny slots in Tunica. On Monday evenings she fixed dinner for me, Patti and our sons DJ and Jeff. Even during my years as Mayor, everyone knew monday evening was mom’s. On Sundays she played cards with her sister/best friend, Frances and brother, John. She still drove her 10 year old car to her hair appointment and to the grocery store, where she knew every best deal down to the penny.
I could go on and on … maybe there is a book to be written … a book filled with life lessons, lessons of humility, grace, integrity, holiness, generosity, strength and commitment to that which is really important. Though she is gone physically, her teachings and her spirit live on in each of us blessed to have been touched by her or included in her life. Kathy, Stephanie and Patti will probably feel the emptiness the most, but …
I miss you mom! You are my hero forever.
Jim Dailey 
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