My mother, Mary Elizabeth, was gifted to give readings, poetry and talks, and was
good in drama. She was poised and a ''real lady" when she married my father. She loved
to be out and around people.
I bought a model T Ford (a 1925 one) in the year 1928. At this time of her life,
Mother was quite depressed as our poverty was getting her down so I took her down to
Leadership week the year after I was out of High School, and took her to other places.
About a year later, Arch Rich said "my goodness, your mother looks ten years younger
than she used to., So it did her alot of good to be able to get out, and get away at times.
)
Aivdr dad passed away, and the home had burned down; she lived with us
children at different times. Finally, I had her come live in one of my duplix
apartments behind our home where she could have her own place, and yet we could
be close by to look after her. She was very happy hare. She hung her pictures
on the walls, and made her place,look real cozy. She read alot, and after her
eyes got so bad where she couldntt read, the blind association would send her
tapes and records to listen to.
After I was put in as Bishop, sqe said to me that she qad lived long enough to see
one of l).er sons become a bishop. "I1'm satisfied now, and Item ready to die anytime."
It wasntt long until she became.worse, and the doctors said there was so many things
wrong with her, that there wasn't much they could do. She went into a coma. First
she was in the hospital, and then in a rest home, and then Maurine wanted to take care
of her. She told us that she was qualified, and could have a high bed set up in her
liYing room, which she did, and we moved Mother to Maurines. We knew she could pass
on at any time, but our family had decided to take a vacation to California. \'le
told the family that we would call every night to see how she was, and if she was in
the same condition, they would say "all is okay." We did call each evening, but then
the night before we were to leave to come home, we were busy and decided that each
time we had called, we received the same reply so wetd call first thing in the morning.
We had decided that we would stop over at Henryville on our \Vay home to visit with
Mildredts brother and ~is family (Elmo.) But, before we went over, we called. Dale
answered and said "dontt han~ up" He said they had been trying to reach us as Mom
had passed aw~y yesterday. 'flley had gone ahead with the funeral arrangements thinking
we wouldn' be home in time to help with them. Needless to say, we caine straiglit
home. I was the Bishop at the time so I felt Mother would want me to conduct her
funeral; which I did.
