Pryor Scrapbook Bessie Mae, 2008

and "old fashioned" and wanted to vote you out. They didn't. But I remember how hard it was on you. Times were changing. As an older child I helped you set up for meetings and prepare refreshments. I sat with you by the kitchen door during meetings and was proud to get to sing WITH you, instead of doing it from my bedroom. I made more friends with these older girls and longed to be called a Regina as well. My time came in 1978-82 when I was proudly voted in. Now you were in the stands as I pitched for our club's softball team. And you watched me bring my own dates to PJ Mountain. I even made it to President one semester and was happy to have you help me. That was the time when Mimmie got sick and you went to Tennessee to be with her. Claudette Alexander filled in for you and was such a blessing. You made it back in time for our banquet. I remember you told me not to just get up and say "Welcome", but to say something important. Well, I couldn't think of ANYTHING to say except "welcome!" As I reflect on my years as a Regina, I see qualities of you that stayed with and near to the club; those of dignity, hospitality, grace, beauty, fun, laughter, loyalty, faithfulness, duty, service, and above all else Christianity. Each year you tried to keep us all on track and encouraged us to do the right thing in every event. I saw girls who looked up to you as adopted mothers and learned how to show hospitality. I saw you help them plan their weddings when they had no mother to share it with. I saw you comfort girls whose engagements were broken. You gave them courage even as they faced having to return all those gifts. Sometimes it was just a hug from you when someone was looking low. Sometimes it was spending some time talking to you or working in the kitchen with you, but in the end, they always appeared happier when they left your presence. You could always help someone find a silver lining in their own situation. Besides Reginas, there are a few other things I'd like to mention. You taught the 2 1/2 year olds at College Church for how many years? You loved the little ones and would teach them: "the Bible is divided into 2 parts. The Old Testament and the New Testament" Their worst punishment would be if they ended up sitting in Miss Bessie Mae's lap! I never understood that food could be a ministry, but you certainly used it to bless so many lives. When I think of all the meals you prepared for countless Reginas, TNT's, PJ staffers, A Cappella groups, church groups, care groups. Just how did you stretch Daddy's paycheck THAT far to feed us ALL? We were never in want. It always felt like we had enough. I never knew how we might be at the bottom of our barrel, if we were. And then there were the Rook parties, weddings, receptions, and showers! There was something going on all the time that you were involved in. As well as all the company we had (overnight and just for meals). And I must add AWH gift fairs! No wonder I love crafty things ... just how many of those little tiny seashell mice did we glue together? (And that was BEFORE hot glue!) Or those red felt cardinal Christmas ornaments, or