North Georgia Tribune (Canton, Georgia) - August 22, 1963
They buried Tommy 'Roach' Wednesday afternoon at a solemn ceremony befitting a 10 year old cat revered by his owner.
The ceremony, which took place in the yard of the home of Mrs. L. A. Roach and her daughter, Shirley, owners of the cat, carried out the wishes of the Late J. A. Roach, who loved the cat and treated it as a person.
The cat, resting in a small white casket, was lowered into a grave and steel vault Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. while Mrs. Roach and her daughter looked on. The rites were attended by a good number of others.
The large gray and white cat died Monday. Great affection for the animal and written instructions by the late Mr. Roach compelled the family to call on their friend Ronnie Bentley to assist in seeing that Tommy was buried properly.
The animal's body was preserved, a casket and steel vault purchased. Plans were made to bury the cat in the Roach lot at Fain Cemetery at the feet of Mr. Roach, in accordance with his instructions. When objections were raised, Mr. Roach changed the burial place to the yard of her home "in order not create any trouble."
The cat was placed in state at the Roach home on Tuesday and Wednesday and some 200 people called by to see Tommy. A registry book was filled with names, along with more than two pages of a tablet. The event was the talk of the town Tuesday and Wednesday.
The affection Mr. Roach had for the cat was recalled during the two days. He used to carry the cat to the grocery store he operated on Railroad Street and then home at night. The cat had its own dishes and reigned supreme in the house. As a matter of fact, the home was considered the property of Tommy until he died under terms of Mr. Roach's instructions.
While Mr. Roach was sick with the illness that eventually led to his death, the cat was a regular visitor at his bedside. Mrs. Roach recalls that the cat would evoke a smile on her husband's lips when he was gravely ill, even a short time before his death.
They buried Tommy 'Roach' Wednesday afternoon at a solemn ceremony befitting a 10 year old cat revered by his owner.
The ceremony, which took place in the yard of the home of Mrs. L. A. Roach and her daughter, Shirley, owners of the cat, carried out the wishes of the Late J. A. Roach, who loved the cat and treated it as a person.
The cat, resting in a small white casket, was lowered into a grave and steel vault Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. while Mrs. Roach and her daughter looked on. The rites were attended by a good number of others.
The large gray and white cat died Monday. Great affection for the animal and written instructions by the late Mr. Roach compelled the family to call on their friend Ronnie Bentley to assist in seeing that Tommy was buried properly.
The animal's body was preserved, a casket and steel vault purchased. Plans were made to bury the cat in the Roach lot at Fain Cemetery at the feet of Mr. Roach, in accordance with his instructions. When objections were raised, Mr. Roach changed the burial place to the yard of her home "in order not create any trouble."
The cat was placed in state at the Roach home on Tuesday and Wednesday and some 200 people called by to see Tommy. A registry book was filled with names, along with more than two pages of a tablet. The event was the talk of the town Tuesday and Wednesday.
The affection Mr. Roach had for the cat was recalled during the two days. He used to carry the cat to the grocery store he operated on Railroad Street and then home at night. The cat had its own dishes and reigned supreme in the house. As a matter of fact, the home was considered the property of Tommy until he died under terms of Mr. Roach's instructions.
While Mr. Roach was sick with the illness that eventually led to his death, the cat was a regular visitor at his bedside. Mrs. Roach recalls that the cat would evoke a smile on her husband's lips when he was gravely ill, even a short time before his death.
North Georgia Tribune (Canton, Georgia) - August 22, 1963
They buried Tommy 'Roach' Wednesday afternoon at a solemn ceremony befitting a 10 year old cat revered by his owner.
The ceremony, which took place in the yard of the home of Mrs. L. A. Roach and her daughter, Shirley, owners of the cat, carried out the wishes of the Late J. A. Roach, who loved the cat and treated it as a person.
The cat, resting in a small white casket, was lowered into a grave and steel vault Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. while Mrs. Roach and her daughter looked on. The rites were attended by a good number of others.
The large gray and white cat died Monday. Great affection for the animal and written instructions by the late Mr. Roach compelled the family to call on their friend Ronnie Bentley to assist in seeing that Tommy was buried properly.
The animal's body was preserved, a casket and steel vault purchased. Plans were made to bury the cat in the Roach lot at Fain Cemetery at the feet of Mr. Roach, in accordance with his instructions. When objections were raised, Mr. Roach changed the burial place to the yard of her home "in order not create any trouble."
The cat was placed in state at the Roach home on Tuesday and Wednesday and some 200 people called by to see Tommy. A registry book was filled with names, along with more than two pages of a tablet. The event was the talk of the town Tuesday and Wednesday.
The affection Mr. Roach had for the cat was recalled during the two days. He used to carry the cat to the grocery store he operated on Railroad Street and then home at night. The cat had its own dishes and reigned supreme in the house. As a matter of fact, the home was considered the property of Tommy until he died under terms of Mr. Roach's instructions.
While Mr. Roach was sick with the illness that eventually led to his death, the cat was a regular visitor at his bedside. Mrs. Roach recalls that the cat would evoke a smile on her husband's lips when he was gravely ill, even a short time before his death.
They buried Tommy 'Roach' Wednesday afternoon at a solemn ceremony befitting a 10 year old cat revered by his owner.
The ceremony, which took place in the yard of the home of Mrs. L. A. Roach and her daughter, Shirley, owners of the cat, carried out the wishes of the Late J. A. Roach, who loved the cat and treated it as a person.
The cat, resting in a small white casket, was lowered into a grave and steel vault Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. while Mrs. Roach and her daughter looked on. The rites were attended by a good number of others.
The large gray and white cat died Monday. Great affection for the animal and written instructions by the late Mr. Roach compelled the family to call on their friend Ronnie Bentley to assist in seeing that Tommy was buried properly.
The animal's body was preserved, a casket and steel vault purchased. Plans were made to bury the cat in the Roach lot at Fain Cemetery at the feet of Mr. Roach, in accordance with his instructions. When objections were raised, Mr. Roach changed the burial place to the yard of her home "in order not create any trouble."
The cat was placed in state at the Roach home on Tuesday and Wednesday and some 200 people called by to see Tommy. A registry book was filled with names, along with more than two pages of a tablet. The event was the talk of the town Tuesday and Wednesday.
The affection Mr. Roach had for the cat was recalled during the two days. He used to carry the cat to the grocery store he operated on Railroad Street and then home at night. The cat had its own dishes and reigned supreme in the house. As a matter of fact, the home was considered the property of Tommy until he died under terms of Mr. Roach's instructions.
While Mr. Roach was sick with the illness that eventually led to his death, the cat was a regular visitor at his bedside. Mrs. Roach recalls that the cat would evoke a smile on her husband's lips when he was gravely ill, even a short time before his death.
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