Monday, July 29, 2013
It has been a long time since Ed took a sabbatical from Hendrix College and pastored several Western Arkansas small churches,one of which was in my little home town, Alix, Arkansas. During that time, the boys my age and older grew to know Ed somewhat better than Virginia, as he organized a Boy Scout troop, encouraged us to work, earn money and seek donations, then took us on a primitive summer camp. Virginia was always there in the background, though, serving patiently in a small rural parsonage that had no modern conveniences. I recall, several times, I went to their little parsonage home and she always invited me in; always the epitome of hospitality and kindness. I can recall her standing in the small kitchen, ironing clothes, in the summer and no air conditioning. I grew to love both Virginia and Ed, and their example was a positive influence on my young life, an influence that helped direct me on a higher path in life. Later, my son Mike married Jennifer McWilliams, of Benton, Kansas. It was not until about a year later that I learned Jen's grandmother, Dorothy Henry, was a sister to Virginia, both having been raised in Mayflower, Arkansas. It seemed a strange coincidence that my son would wind up married to the niece of Virginia, someone I had known but briefly, but learned to love immensely. From Jen, I was pleased to learn Virginia and Ed were still living and retired, in Michigan. I'll just close by saying this when--as a young woman--Virginia showed kindness, patience and perseverance to the young people of a small Arkansas town, her example lived on in their lives, and they were all the better for it. Many blessings to Ed and her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and may may she glory in the beauty, love and presence which her love, kindness, and patience has earned her.
