Pryor Scrapbook Bessie Mae, 2008

April 15, 2008 Dear Bessie Mae, Just how to even begin is a problem, because my memories go back so far and are so fond I feel I could truly write a book! My family first met you In Searcy after we moved -to Harding just before my freshman year. We needed badly to meet new friends, and you and Dr. Joe were so kind. You had my parents over for dinner and they came home feeling so "warmed and filled" by your lovely hospitality and talked about it for days. Little did I know, that would be the first of hundreds of lovely occasions I would be privileged to experience in the next many years. The only friend In the world I knew from Harding was a sophomore and a Regina. When that scarey time to "pledge" came around she insisted that Regina was the only club for me....and that "Bessie Mae" was the "Queen" of all club sponsors. It didn't take me long, after much to believe her, and I was so honored and thrilled when I found the invitation to join Regina. My first dream in college had come true! The following four years were filled with exciting, beautiful and lovely occasions at your gracious home.•••even our Initiation by candlelight as we knelt and recited Proverbs31 by memory. I was confident my heart was going to pound right out of my chest, and I wouldn't get to be a Regina after all..... after all the hours I had tried to fulfil all the requirements for being the perfect Regina! There were so many wonderful times after we were offlclally welcomed "In," and you gifted all of us with so many first hand lessons In graciousness and true Godly hospitality. I felt you must be the "other" woman whose price was "far above rubies" (besides my very own precious mother). You truly were many girl's "stand In mothers" away from home.... and what an amazing mother you werel Your servant heart and the beautiful talents you shared with all of us, not only to the Reginas, but all students who might be in need, was the most phenomenal example of Christian womanliness any of us had ever seen. The Hundreds of times you and your precious Dr. Joe would "cater" a wedding reception complete with silver, crystal, linens and flowers was simply amazing. You hosted my wedding shower among hundreds of ot_hers, and it was perfect! You hosted hundreds of guests and newcomers to the campus myriads of times, and all these with seemingly such ease. You were Harding's Christian catering service and welcoming service extraordinairefor decades, with astonishing efficiency, grace, beauty and congeniality. Thank you, dear Bessie Mae, for being our "worthy woman" whose price was truly "far above rubies." Your value to the Harding campus is Immeasurable! We adored then, and we adore you still Happy 85th! , '58 - '62