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Back to Family Memories Index Role Models, Mentors and ExamplesAs I think back over 1950’s and 60’s, a number of female faces appear in my mind. Some I have mentioned before, some not. Aunt Myrtle, a flamboyant musical talent played the piano for silent movies and sponsored my first music lessons. Mimi, my anything but ordinary grandmother passed on to me her love of reading. My beautiful and intelligent Mama inspired me in a multitude of practical ways. Her absence has affected me profoundly since her death; how I wish I could have known her better. Several other women that I haven't written about played a great role in my life growing up too, whether they knew it or not. Mellie Sue Hewitt was my Sunday School teacher at the Florence Bible Chapel for years, a soft spoken and loving lady who lived what she believed. Her signature in gold ink appears on the front page of my first "grown-up" study Bible. She imparted the truth of the scriptures in such an interesting way that the driest history chapters of the Old Testament came alive for me, sparking an interest in Bible study that continues to this day. I remember a visit to her living room on a week day once. Every chair, sofa and table top was occupied by dolls in various stages of repair and dress. She collected and clothed them throughout the year, diligently stitching in her spare time so these daintily dressed baby dolls could be hugged and loved by needy children at Christmas. I knew she loved the Bible and I knew she loved me, and that day I understood that she loved lots of other children, too. Betty Ann Darby appeared in my McKenzie School classroom week after week with adventures in song. Music from America, music from England, music from Scotland and France, lots of musical adventures! We sang patriotic songs like America the Beautiful and fun songs like Yankee Doodle Dandy and She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain. She encouraged our curiosity and patiently answered our questions – “Miss Darby, what’s a doodle dandy?” “Miss Darby, how’d she drive four white horses around the mountain?” She led us in hilarious rounds like Three Blind Mice. Sometimes she got us up out of our seats to march in place or around in circles. Sometimes she had us stretching our arms up reaching for the stars, but always she was stretching our minds and imaginations through music. Music became a fun and fascinating part of learning, thanks to Miss Darby. She seemed to love just being in the classroom with us, and I sure loved it every time she came. Roberta Andrews was the no-nonsense math genius who drilled algebra into my brain at McClenaghan High School. Neat, pretty and petite, you'd think at first glance she would have problems keeping her class in order. Not so. With a silent glance she could let you know exactly what she was thinking, and what might happen to you if you caused a commotion of any kind. I was never so brave or careless as to cross her, until exam time the last week of the school year. Up one aisle and down another she walked, quietly making sure everyone was working and nobody was sneaking a peek at someone else's answers. She came to a stop beside my desk and I turned my head to look up. Although she had the slightest frown on her brow, her pursed lips turned slightly upward. No, I wasn't cheating. I was chewing gum! In a soft voice she simply spoke my name, and in that instant I saw her standing before the class one day, remarking that she felt it was unlady-like for girls to chew gum. With a gulp I swallowed my gum and she resumed her stroll through the seats. To me she represented the ideal teacher, never having to raise her voice but in complete command of her subject (algebra) and her subjects (us). I wouldn't have done anything in the world to disappoint Miss Andrews, which I'm sure is why the chewing gum incident "sticks" in my mind. There have been other mentors and role models in my life over the years but these particular women are especially memorable to me. I am convinced their presence in my life influenced the direction of it in a number of ways. Character. Conviction. Affection. Love of music. Love of learning. Enjoyment of life. They were excellent examples to me and I'm very glad they came my way. |