Monday, July 29, 2002 - 10:15 a.m.

I'm singing Bill Monroe's "Remember the Cross" in front of the congregation of the Roaring River Baptist Church in Eagle Rock, Missouri (pronounced by the locals as "Missoura"). How did I, the consumate atheist, end up singing a country gospel song in front of a bunch of Southern Baptists? It's been a long road.

In fact, I don't even know where to start. For years now I've been a huge fan of traditional country and old-time music. A couple of years ago I brought my guitar to E's family reunion on her dad's side. I soon found out that the music I'd been studying and listening to for years was the music that they'd grown up with. So it wasn't a big surprise that they asked me to sing at the funeral. Especially since they're all in denial about the fact that E and I are atheists. I'd liked E's grandfather and despite the fact that all of her aunts and uncles were super-Christian Republicans, I like them. They're nice friendly people and we can avoid rolling eyes as long the discussion doesn't turn to politics. (Or religion.)

Plus, her aunts are tough. I know where E gets it. You don't say "no" to them.

Actually, I was honored to be asked to sing a song that I know Ray E. Skelton would have enjoyed. So I, of course, said "yes."

I don't really consider it hypocritical. I am a huge Bill Monroe fan. I love bluegrass. I'd enjoyed the small amount of time I'd spent talking with E's grandfather over the last few years. For me, it was for him. I wasn't preaching (even though the song is overtly Christian (Remember the cross on which Jesus died...He shed his blood for you and he shed his blood for me...)) I was singing an old country song in honor of a man who'd helped raise 10 kids on a Missouri dirt farm. (They all graduated from college. All of them are sucessful.) He was an activist for the democratic party in his community and only converted to Christianity at the age of 77. (He died at the age of 91.)

As I knew him, he was friendly, humorous and a good story teller.

The farm that's been part of the Skelton family for over 100 years will now be sold. Rest in peace Ray. It was nice knowing you.