This tribute is the property of Worth Remembering Publishing © 2006

She was the child of a sawmill worker, and a stay at home mother.
They lived a simple country life in South Carolina.Their massive
vegetable gardens were used both as food for the family and a
small money making opportunity. It was a time of frugality for
the country. The great depression was a fact of life. With eight
children to feed, her parents struggled daily, yet the children
were well fed. They were used to hand me down clothes and doing
without. It was just the way it was.

It was common for children then to remain in school only until they
had learned enough to get a job. Willie left school after the eight
grade. Having been taught the value of work from her parents, she
dutifully began work at a hosiery mill in North Carolina. It was the
beginning of a lifetime of factory work. She was happy to have a job.

She met my father and married at age twenty. They began their life
together in Pageland South Carolina. Mom took a job closer to home and
gave birth to the first of three children. My father was a kind and
gentle man to the outside world. Our home life was in stark contrast to
his public image. Mom did her best to shield us from the truth, but
still we knew. Her commitment to her wedding vows would keep her in the
marriage until his death years later.

Willie was a small woman. She stood just five feet and two inches tall
with a petite frame. She was often asked to repeat herself; she spoke so
softly. Her kindness and strength toward others drew people to her everyday.
They sought the wisdom life had taught her.

Her life consisted of working to provide an income for her children and
coming home to work in the garden each night. Willie repeated the
lessons her own parents had taught her with her children. There were
chores to do each day. We were also required to help water and weed
our acres of garden beds.

My Mother showed us how to not only survive hard lessons, but also to
find the good in each situation. While she suffered in her marriage,
she also became stronger from it. She was a friend to any stranger
in a kind and honest manner.

Having fun with the simple things in life was a lesson we all learned
well. We all laughed uncontrollably at her run away car with a faulty
gearshift. She taught us to laugh and to take life in stride. As a
volunteer bus driver for our church she once fought off a lost snake
that crawled into our church bus. She was terrified too,but did so
silently. We laughed until we cried when the danger had passed.

My Father died in 1979 and ended her time of hardship. Her love for
him had never died. Years later she met a wonderful man who treated
her like a princess. His adoration of her was such a gift to all of us.
They remained happily married until her death.

I lived at home until well into my thirties, helping out where I could.
She was my best friend. We discussed topics that other people would
never discuss with their parents. I miss that in my life today most of all.

Grandchildren were her life’s reward, a gift from children that adored
her. Family was everything. Her sisters and brothers remained a close nit
family throughout her life, often dropping in just to visit. Her simple
life was a good life. Willie enjoyed reading romance novels and true
story magazine. Perhaps they spoke to her because of the common story
lines she had lived.

If asked, she would say she loved her life. Every aspect was a lesson.
Every person, an opportunity to make a friend. From her beloved pup
Midnight, to adults, to children, she was deeply loved. This is her legacy.


Annie Thomas-Burke for Jan Hicks and Family

This tribute is the property of Worth Remembering Publishing © 2006.

This tribute is shown as an example of a two page tribute.
written by Scribe Services Owner, Annie Thomas-Burke for
Worth Remembering Publishing books titled, Women Worth Remembering.