Happy MOTHER’S DAY!

Everyone has had people who have been a great influence in their life. It might be a friend, a teacher, a pastor or a relative. Looking back, there have been many who were special in my life, but there are a few that I would like to mention.

Mary Willard was a kind and wonderful person. She taught 9-year-old girls in Sunday School. She led me to the Lord at 10-years-old, and she became a lifelong friend to my family and me. She holds a special place n my heart to this day.

Inez Neelley was a great homemaking class teacher. She taught me the finer ways of cooking. For example, she taught me that you don’t put your cup towel over your shoulder--I got called out for doing that. And to this day, I would never put my cup towel over my shoulder! Another minor thing she taught the class was always to get all your ingredients out before you start (It is a great help to do this.) In my adult life, she was a great supporter and friend. She told me she always me in the choir because I always smiled as we sang.

Bonnie Myers was such a dear sweet friend, so supportive and encouraging. She played the organ in our church, and there was nothing like listening to Bonnie at the organ, and Bess Goodloe at the piano, playing together almost as “one.” I still miss the perfect harmony they created when remembering Bonnie. What a great lady!

Hazel Lovett--what words are complete enough to describe Hazel? She taught my young couples women’s class in Sunday school and greatly influenced my young married life. She was such an encourager, a special person and always a dear friend.

But the greatest of these was Annie Norris Larimore, my mother-in-law (also known as Ma to all the family). I married into the Larimore family in 1955. When we bought the family home in 1960, she moved to an apartment upstairs in the house, and she lived with us for 20 years. She taught me the skill of planning meals, cooking, and storing food ahead of time. She was a great listener and gave very little advice. She accepted everyone just as they were with no criticism. She lived her Christian life for all to see, and she went to meet the Lord in September 1980. She is still greatly missed and is the greatest woman I have ever known: Annie Norris Larimore.