Editorials Archive
Tribute to Aunt Betty
Kay Kline, General Manager
03-05-2010
"Blind eyes can see and deaf ears can hear LOVE."
My Aunt Betty Watson passed away on March 2 and those were the first words that came into my mind when I was told of her passing.
Those words were the center of her mission to provide LOVE to the people in her community of Allisonia in times of need. She extended that LOVE to the residents in nearby nursing homes.
I remember every Saturday afternoon Aunt Betty would begin making her "Preacher Cookies" and homemade mints in preparation of her Sunday visits to her friends throughout the community. It was a labor of love and on several occasions I joined in her visits.
Every single person in the nursing home was known by name. She passed out her cookies with a big hug and checked in on the progress they made that week. Often she arranged special music for the residents and since I could not even hum a tune I was not solicited for the special music.
However, I was often gently – and sometimes not so gently – made aware of needs.
Aunt Betty had a special concern for the residents at Fairview Home. I remember a call to my office one year near Christmas when she told me she needed me to give two towels and two washcloths to each of the residents at Fairview for Christmas that year. It was, of course, my pleasure to do so and it was indicative of the down to earth LOVE she often demonstrated.
The Cookie Lady, as she came to be known, almost never missed a week making her rounds and the joy she gave was returned back to her ten fold.
The desire to welcome home former residents of her "Little Allisonia" was the catalyst for the Allisionia Day event held every year around Labor Day. The event originally was held on the riverbank in front of her home, but several years of rain eventually convinced her to relocate it to Hiwassee Fire Department.
The food at this event was awesome and shared with laughter, music and the pure joy of being in Aunt Betty's extended family. We met distant cousins, shared stories, danced “a jig” and exchanged recipes and LOVE.
We all left that event grateful to be a part of such a special day organized by a special lady.
We will be honoring Aunt Betty with a luncheon at Hiwassee Fire Department after her funeral on Friday.
The men were putting the final touches on the beautifully waxed and buffed floors as I stopped by with some of the food for the dinner. They said it was their pleasure to make it perfect since “Ms. Betty” had fixed them many a meal.
It touched our hearts to see the genuine LOVE these gentlemen had so generously returned.
Every baby who was given one of Aunt Betty's crocheted sweater sets was also a recipient of her LOVE. I remember watching her as she sat in her chair and pulled out her work. She bowed her head and said a prayer for the family and the baby to come.
The significance of that humble prayer was made very real to me when a dear friend was told her unborn baby could have major problems. I shared my concern with Aunt Betty as I asked her to make one of her special sweater sets for my friend.
When this precious child was born in perfect health I was reminded of the power of prayer and LOVE. He is graduating from college this year at the top of his class.
The winner of innumerable awards for her community service work with Daily Bread, Pulaski Hospital, the Heart Fund and other charity fund drives – just to mention a few, Aunt Betty was grateful but quick to point out she was so blessed to be able to share in the lives of others.
I will end this tribute with a poem written about her by Mrs. Margaret Deeds.
I am also reminded of the LOVE we all have in our hearts and the importance of sharing that LOVE with others.
Thank you for the example you set, Aunt Betty.
"To A Special Person"
Have you happened to meet Mrs. Watson?
She is the lady with the radiant smile.
Much like the Good Samaritan,
She goes the extra mile.
She lives in Allisonia, a good
Little ways from town.
But once a week on Sundays,
You can see her making her rounds.
I am glad I happened to meet her
And see her devotion so deep,
Like seeing Christ's teaching in action
When he said, "Go feed my sheep".
She goes to nursing homes and hospital.
Can you guess what she carries in her hand?
A tin full of homemade cookies
That she lovingly passes around.
Next, you may want to ask me
How I know all this to be true
And I will quickly give you the answer.
I always get one too.
– Kay Kline is the General Manager of The Southwest Times in Pulaski.
