Pryor Scrapbook Bessie Mae, 2008

Dearest Bessie Mae, How do I begin? In 1978, I began my freshmen year at Harding U niversity. And how it did change my life! I became a member of Regina that Fall semester and found somewhere to b elong. I made many wonderful friends, had fun times, and learned skills such as leadership, kindness, and loyalty. Bessie Mae and Claudette Alexander were our club sponsors. I l earned so much from them! Bessie Mae was a true lady. She always cooked special food for us, such as some kind of little sandwich (I can't remember what was in it), cheese dip, homemade rolls , and always hot tea. We met at her beautiful hom e that was then next to the Student Center. It was a quaint cottage and was decorated beautifully. I especially remember the beautiful harp. Bessie Mae had a heart for helping other people. She encourage d the girts in Regina to commit to a family who had a special needs child. I don't remember their names, but I went a fe w times to their home and helped clean or whatever needed to be done. I remember one time Bessie Mae was there with me an d she made them her homemade rolls. Bessie Mae taught me about commitment to her husband, Dr. Joe . She was devoted to him and he to her. It's hard to say exactly what an impact that one thing had on so many students o ver the years. But I noticed and wanted to be like her. I want to say "Thank you" to Bessie Mae. You were a role model to me in so many ways. You were and are an ideal Christian woman. I know it must have been hard to be sponsor to all of us immature girls. I'm sure you saw bad traits in us from time to time. But I never felt anything from you but love and supp ort. I pray that you will enjoy many good days still and that you will ha ve good health. The Lord bless you and keep you. I love you, Robin Solley Barker 2326 Duncansby Drive Decatur, AL 35603 Shawn Frazier (Katie's husband), Sam Barker, Anna Barker Katie Barker Frazier, Frank, Robin Katie graduated from Harding in 2006 and is a band director in Murfreesboro, TN. Her husband is the cho ral director at the same school. Anna is a senior at Harding and will graduate Dec., 2008. She is getting married June21, 2008 Sam is a freshmen at Harding.