I'm so glad that Jackie Parker took me up on my offer from last week to share a story about someone special who has now passed on.
It seems especially fitting because Charlotte passed away the same day as Rick Watson, whose shoes we're trying to fill with this column.
Mrs. Parker's submission also gave the column a name — Sweet Memories.
As I said last week, we'd like to hear about your loved ones whether the loss is recent or decades old. We want to celebrate their life by sharing their story with our readers.
I can be reached at jennifer.cohron@mountaineagle.com or call the office at 205-221-2840.
Here are her memories of Charlotte Elkins, a portion of the eulogy that she delivered on July 22.
"My first meeting with Charlotte Elkins in 1972 in Jasper was most unusual for the two of us – we met in dancing class! We were both reared in old-fashion Baptist families with the belief that dancing would surely banish one to hell! But the dancing classes were not for the benefit of Charlotte and me; the dance classes were for our children who were 3 and 4 years old at that time.
"Charlotte, being her usual friendly self came over and introduced herself. At the end of the year, after the dance recital, Charlotte and her son decided dancing wasn’t in his domain of natural talents. My friendship with Charlotte faded and I assumed it would be no more.
"Years later, I was offered a teaching position at T.R. Simmons and I called Charlotte who guided me through my questions and helped me make my decision. Charlotte adopted me again and our friendship lasted through 25 years of teaching together. Our bonding extended to our families and extended families with graduations, marriages, births of grandchildren and deaths of our parents, as well as my teaching members of Charlotte’s family; her daughter in second grade as well as teaching two of her grandchildren in first grade.
"Charlotte and I discovered we had many interests which expanded our friendship. We enjoyed exploring big flea markets as well as arts and craft shows and visiting tearooms, but Charlotte didn’t drink tea.
"We slowed down in our Golden years and became involved in volunteering, with Charlotte’s prison ministry as well as her hospice projects and my involvement with Mission of Hope. We supported each other in our volunteer roles. We attended Red Book singings and Fa-So-La singings, mostly to listen.
"And we attended a lot of funerals, especially Charlotte. If she ever knew you or any member of your family, she felt it her obligation to attend the funeral. As her health declined and she became home-bound, her biggest complaint was not being able to attend funerals, announced in the obituary column of the Daily Mountain Eagle.
"Charlotte collected friends like she did her treasured collectibles. Once Charlotte knew your name, you became a treasured friend. She knew everybody of importance in Jasper (to Charlotte that is), and probably knew more people than any Jasper mayor. She knew where you lived, where your children attended school, your relatives, your religious affiliation, and anything of importance regarding you and your family. A favorite Bible verse of Charlotte’s was Proverbs 17:17: 'A friend loves at all times.' Charlotte was a true friend to me as well as many others.
"In recent years, each time Charlotte was hospitalized, she would remind me that I was to eulogize her and this reminded me of a poem. 'What worth is eulogy’s blandest breath, when whispered in ears that are hushed in death? No! No! If you have but a word of cheer, speak it, while I am alive to hear!' I shared this eulogy with Charlotte a few years ago, and she was happy with the contents. I will always treasure her memory and all of our adventures in my heart."
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Jennifer Cohron is the Daily Mountain Eagle's features editor.
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Sweet Memories: Charlotte Elkins - Daily Mountain Eagle
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