My memory is a scripture mom always said was her favorite because it was her moms favorite.  She often made reference to it.  Prov 25:11, "As apples of gold in silver carvings is a word spoken at the right time".  She thought it was beautiful.

Grandma and Grandpa had a beautiful way of making a making a very nervous 21 year old girl, with a VA hillbilly accent feel very welcome into their family 🥰.  And I will always appreciate that!!!   

They provided a beautiful example of  a loving husband and wife for anyone who was privileged to see them together, and managed to keep Jehovah firmly in their family circle though that couldn’t have been the easy path, with 5 little kids. 😅Their priorities were right where they needed to be.  In one of the home videos there is a scene of how they would get ready to go to meetings, it tells so much about them.  They would get the kids ready,  Dad would walk them down the street so mom could get ready, they worked as a team!  

Grandmas beautiful smile and calm grace were who she was through and through 😇

Here is something I remember at the Wickham house.   I must have been spending time there over summer break so I’m thinking when I was 15or 16. I don’t remember anyone else there but me and Aunt Audrey however maybe Matt and Mike were outside playing.  The phone rang, it was someone wanting to know what Jehovah’s witnesses believe.  I remember Aunt Audrey saying where do I start and then talking about Jehovah and Jesus.  Seems like it was a 15 or 20 minute conversation.  Something I never forgot.  

Okay - Here is my ministry story.  It was Saturday. I was 16 and had my learners permit, so I was driving our green GMC van in the ministry.  I'm having a good conversation at our last house and Pam is yelling out of the van window "We have to go .... NOW"  Seems she was working with mom and mom had tripped an a crack in the sidewalk.  As I recall the injury was to her finger.  It's my memory ... so even if it not accurate ... it's mine :-)  Anyways, by the time I got to the van, mom was in the passenger seat...passed out. (She had never told us that she passes out at the sight of blood).  So I take off for the hospital, driving 80 miles per hour down Dort Highway.  Pam is frozen for a minute, but then realized she should check if she is breathing.  She's breathing ... OK, now what.  Roll down the window so there is a breeze on her. Pam reached over an rolled down the window.  About half way to the hospital she wakes up.  She says where are we going.  We say to the hospital. Audrey: "Oh no we are NOT.  You take me home NOW." That was the final word.  She got home, had a glass of Orange Juice., and was fine.  I realized it didn't matter if I was driving or not.... mom was in charge.

Grandma was such a loving individual. I can't wait until the enemy, death, is done away with and we are reunited with our love ones in the new world. August 24th has and will be a date to remember and reflect for me personally.... but more importantly it will be just another day in paradise. And I can't wait until that comes! Thank you all for visiting, calling and expressing love for Grandma and for our family. 

I could not have been but 7 or 8 years old when this occurred. It is one of my earliest memories of being in the ministry. I remember the first door I talked at... with Carlene Shaw... this was shortly after with Mom. It was summer and Mom knocked at a house where the screen door was closed but the main door was open. A young girl quickly answered and in a somewhat hushed voice said it would be better if we left quickly.  From somewhere in the back came the loudest voice I think I have ever heard, " Is that those baby killers...yada, yada, yada.." coupled with what seemed to me to be elephants stomping to the door. I was off that porch and halfway to the fence before I realized that mom had not moved. I slowly made my way to the base of the steps to hear Mom calmly and courageously reasoning with this Lady (?)( I have never seen a woman since with as much facial hair... it was terrifying at the time). She was not shaking, her voice was calm and she was even smiling just a little...as was her way.

I have thought of that door often and moms response there. It was decades ahead of its time. And of course it wasn't until years later that I could see the courage, the love for Jehovah and the wisedom and resolve to be able to handle such an extreme situation in such a way as to provide a good witness. She didn't care for the limelight but she never backed away from an opportunity to defend her faith with the utmost class.