Five sweet old ladies sitting in the pew…
When we moved here to Huntington, there was a pew that five sweet old ladies sat in. Not occasionally but every time the doors opened, these sweet old ladies were there. I remember going back to greet them. They always had a kind word to say and a smile on their face. I know there were many times they were uncomfortable. Many times they felt poorly. Many times they couldn’t hear what was going on up front. That didn’t stop them. They wanted to be with their brothers and sisters every chance they could get.
It wasn’t long after moving here that the first of these women died. She was missed by all but she was especially missed by her 4 friends. One by one, these sweet old ladies left us. Each one eventually passed away. As the last two women sat in their places when they were able, it was not only sad because I remembered when there were five but it was also encouraging/heart-warming to see them persevere.
This week, the last of the five sweet old ladies died. It has been sad for all of us. She had not sat in her pew for a long time. She had been so ill she could no longer live at home. She died Sunday afternoon after falling from a chair. Her body was frail, she was in pain, she was tired.
All of our sweet old ladies are now gone on to their reward but for those of us left behind, they continue to speak to us. Not in verbal utterances or speaking directly to our hearts. They speak to us through the memories we are left with. The memories of these ladies wanting to serve God even when it hurt. Memories of these ladies encouraging the younger ones around them with their kind words and sweet smiles. For those of us who knew them longer than I did, in their younger days, I occasionally hear comments about their wonderful hospitality and their desire to teach others about God. They lived long, full lives. The world, our congregation and myself are better for having known these sweet old ladies:
Elsie Boyett
Ruth Carter
Nell Webber
Delma Vardaman
Margie Rogers
And then there were none…
Doris, Nell was an extra special one. She was the most hospitable woman I have ever met. She always comes up in our ladies’ class discussions when we talk about hospitality. Not long before she moved down your way, she had our family (8 in all) and another family in the congregation (another 8) over for Sunday dinner. She said she just wanted to know that she could still do it. She did and did it with style and grace.
Even though I only knew Nell Weber for a short time I felt as though I knew her forever.
We are so fortunate to have her daughter, Amelia meet with us. Thanks for the post.
There is some resilience to godly women, isn’t it? I know a few that are, as you describe, ill, in pain, and even through their difficulties, they smile, they are present at services, and they read the Scriptures and talk to others about God anywhere they are. They are such an inspiration. Many times overlooked. Thanks for the sweet note about these women.