Instructions …. A poem by Arnold Crompton

When I have moved beyond you in the adventure of life,

Gather in some pleasant place and there remember me

With spoken words, old and new.

Let a tear if you will, but let a smile come quickly

For I have loved the laughter of life.

Do not linger too long with your solemnities.

Go eat and talk, and when you can;

Follow a woodland trail, climb a high mountain,

Walk along the wild seashore,

Chew the thoughts of some book

Which challenges your soul.

Use your hands some bright day

To make a thing of beauty

Or to lift someone’s heavy load.

Though you mention not my name,

Though no thought of me crosses your mind,

I shall be with you,

For these have been the realities of my life for me.

And when you face some crisis with anguish.

When you walk alone with courage,

When you choose your path of right,

I shall be very close to you.

I have followed the valleys,

I have climbed the heights of life.

Lori, Jo and I are not able to attend today, but are thinking of you especially today and the days yet to come.  Orpha was truly a gift to all of us. She was strong, honest and kind.  Orphie always gave us a different way to think about life. She could fix anything, which was a godsend to alot of us many times over!   We will forever remember her beautiful smile, the sound of her voice, and especially her laughter.  We also remember her love of you and your pets.  May she fly free and live evermore in our hearts and in  loving memories.

Love and hugs to you,

Donna & Jo

My heart goes out to you, Lori, at this time of loss and sorrow.  May you take some comfort from these testimonials to the great good Orpha did while she was here with us.

I came to know Orpha in my role as clinical psychologist for the Interlude Program at Yorktown High School where I had the pleasure of working in close collaboration with her for sixteen years.  During that time through her efforts as a teacher in the Interlude Program and co-chair of the Special Education Department at Yorktown she became quite a positive force in the lives of staff members and the young people who were privileged to be her students.  Her legacy transcends mere memory, lying more so in the tangible difference she made in the trajectories of the lives of these students.  Yes, she taught English.  More importantly, from my perspective,  she helped her students feel safe and accepted during a very troubling and stressful time in their lives.  That was truly a wonderful gift!  Orpha lives on in these students and in all of us whose lives she touched.  

Sharing on behalf of the Sager Sisters (Glenda Hottle's Nieces) 

The Sager Sisters (Melissa, Suzanne, and Suzette) are not able to be with us today, but they are here in spirit and have asked that I share their memories of Orpha.

We have known Orpha for most of our lives. When we think of childhood memories she is always there; weekends at JMU, camping trips, vacations to Ocean City, and holidays at our grandparent’s house in Woodstock. Orpha had an infectious laugh and laugh we did - while playing a rousing game of spades or the board game Clue, walking along the railroad tracks after stuffing ourselves on Thanksgiving turkey, or discussing, for example, how passing gas in front of your significant other meant the relationship was getting serious!

Our Harrisonburg memories are some of the best! We would go to Harrisonburg for the weekend when Orpha and Glenda were at JMU. Orpha and Glenda taught us how to play racquetball and we spent plenty of days on the tennis court, too, and the best racquetball and tennis player argument is still not settled. Our early teen selves thought we were so cool walking around campus, and we were of course, thanks to Glenda and Orpha.

One summer Mom, Glenda, and Granny went to North Carolina for Grandmother Allen’s funeral at the same time we (Suzanne and Suzette) were supposed to be getting ready for and heading to 4-H camp. We wouldn’t have gone that year were it not for Orpha who jumped right in, took us shopping for a few essentials, helped us get our foot lockers packed, and even drove us over the mountain to camp in the Fort Valley.

Our annual summer vacations to Ocean City with Sally, Julie and Beth, mom, Glenda and Orpha are unforgettable. Well, at least we will never forget the summer of 1975. Melissa was 14, and Suzanne and Suzette were 12. It rained nearly the entire week we were there that summer. Putt-putt golf was out. Visiting the Boardwalk was out. So Orpha and Glenda decided it would be a good time to head to the movies. It was a great idea, or so it seemed. Going to the movie was a good idea, but the movie itself, not so much. They took us to see Jaws! WHILE WE WERE AT THE BEACH! Suzette didn’t so much as dip her toe in the ocean for years!

As young teens, we couldn’t have asked for a better role model. We each remember the year Orpha gave us each a copy of the book “Our Body, Our Selves”. It was a book that changed the women’s health movement around the world. The positive impact the book had on each of us is only unmatched by the positive influence Orpha had on our lives.

There is no doubt that we laughed loud, played hard, and loved each other with wild abandon. Orpha was our aunt, not by blood but by love – that’s what makes a family; love, laughter, acceptance, caring and sharing. Orpha was and will always be our family. We will never forget her laugh, her generous spirit, her warm smile, and the summer she took us to see Jaws!

  I had the privilege of working with Orpha for many years at Yorktown. She was always kind, positive and calming in her dealings with everyone ... faculty, staff and students ; I hope she knew how much her presence was appreciated  and how warmly she was regarded.